ArduCAM Mini is optimized version of ArduCAM shield Rev.C, and is a high definition SPI camera, which reduce the complexity of the camera control interface. It integrates 2MP or 5MP CMOS image sensor OV2640/OV5642, and provides miniature size, as well as the easy to use hardware interface and open source code library. The ArduCAM mini can be used in any platforms like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Maple, Chipkit, Beaglebone black, as long as they have SPI and I2C interface and can be well mated with standard Arduino boards. ArduCAM mini not only offers the capability to add a camera interface which doesn’t have in some low cost microcontrollers, but also provides the capability to add multiple cameras to a single microcontroller.

Features:

• 2MP or 5MP image sensor OV2640 / OV5642
• M12 mount or CS mount lens holder with changeable lens options
• IR sensitive with proper lens combination
• I2C interface for the sensor configuration
• SPI interface for camera commands and data stream
• All IO ports are 5V/3.3V tolerant
• Support JPEG compression mode, single and multiple shoot mode, one time capture multiple read operation, burst read operation, low power mode and etc.
• 3~10fps video output at low resolution
• Well mated with standard Arduino boards
• Provide open source code library for Arduino, STM32, Chipkit, Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone Black
• Small form of factor

Key Specification:

Pin Definition:

Table 1 ArduCAM Mini Pin Definition

Block Diagram:

Figure 2 shows the block diagram of ArduCAM mini shield which is composed by lens, image sensor and an ArduChip. The lens is changeable and can be mounted by S-mount (M12x0.5) or CS-mount lens holder. The ArduChip uses ArduCAM proprietary third generation camera controller technology which handles the complex camera, memory and user interface hardware timing and provides a user friendly SPI interface.

Functions:

• Single Capture Mode

Single capture mode is the default capture mode of the camera. After issuing a capture command via SPI port, the ArduCAM will wait for a new frame and buffer the one entire image data to the frame buffer, and then assert the completion flag bit in the register. User only needs to poll the flag bit from the register to check out if the capture is done.

• Multiple Capture Mode

Multiple capture mode is advanced capture mode. By setting the number of frames in the capture register, the ArduCAM will capture consequent frames after issuing capture command. Note that number of frames should be set properly and make sure do not exceed the maximum memory space.

• JPEG Compression

The JPEG compression function is implemented in the image sensor. With proper register settings to the sensor, user can get different resolution with JPEG image stream output. It is recommended to use JPEG output to get higher resolution than RGB mode, due to the limitation of frame buffer.

• Normal Read and Burst Read Operation

Normal read operation reads each image data by sending a read command in one SPI read operation cycle. While burst read operation only need to send a read command then read multiple image data in one SPI read operation cycle. It is recommended to use burst read operation to get better throughput performance.

• Rewind Read Operation

Sometimes user wants to read the same frame of image data multiple times for processing, the rewind read operation is designed for this purpose. By resetting the read pointer to the beginning of the image data, user can read the same image data from the start point again.

• Low Power Mode

Some battery power device need save power when in the idle status, the ArduCAM offers the low power mode to reduce power consumption, by shutdown the sensor and memory circuits.

• Image Sensor Control

Image sensor control function is implemented in the image sensor. By setting proper set of register settings, user can control the exposure, white balance, brightness, contrast, color saturation and etc.

Use Guide and Reference Manual

ArduCAM_Mini_2MP_Camera_Shield_DS

ArduCAM_Mini_2MP_Camera_Shield_Hardware_Application_Note

ArduCAM_Mini_5MP_Camera_Shield_DS

ArduCAM_Mini_5MP_Camera_Shield_Hardware_Application_Note

ArduCAM_Camera_Shield_Software_Application_Note

Additional Resources B0067 : 

• User Guide – Arducam 2MP SPI Camera
• Application Note – Arducam 2MP SPI Camera
• Arducam Documentation – Arducam 2MP SPI Camera
• Github – Arducam Shield V2 F SPI Camera
• Video – Arducam MINI Camera Demo Tutorial for Arduino
• Lens Options – Arducam M12 Mount Lens Kit, Arducam Low Distortion M12 Mount Lens Kit

Additional Resources B0068 : 

• User Guide – Arducam 5MP Plus SPI Camera
• Application Note – Arducam 5MP Plus SPI Camera
• Arducam Documentation – Arducam 5MP Plus SPI Camera
• Github – Arducam 5MP Plus SPI Camera
• Video – Arducam MINI Camera Demo Tutorial for Arduino
• Lens Options – Arducam M12 Mount Lens Kit, Arducam Low Distortion M12 Mount Lens Kit