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DreamChip Camera Setup and Test

This guide outlines cabling workflows to connect DreamChip cameras to SKAARHOJ-recommended third-party serial converters and test the connection.

Cabling Options for DreamChip Cameras with SKAARHOJ Control

  • Ethernet-Serial Converter:

    • An affordable device connects to your network.
    • Forwards DreamChip cameras' RS-485 protocol to a TCP server.
    • Use DreamChip's standard cables and an additional Mini-XLR male cable for the serial converter.
    • Options:
      • a. One converter per camera. (E)
      • b. Daisy chain multiple cameras on one converter with different RS-485 addresses (advanced). (D)

  • Direct Web Socket Connection:

    • Exclusively for the SSM500 model, highly recommended. (B)

  • USB-Serial Cable Connection:

    • Connect to SKAARHOJ Blue Pill Server (A) or controllers with USB-A support (e.g., XC8). (C)
    • DreamChip provides USB-Serial cables.

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For a workflow involving a DreamChip AtomOne camera mounted on a BR Remote Micro L Pan/Tilt head, we recommend a similar approach:

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If you're curious about the proper cabling for a daisy-chained camera setup, this overview should be helpful:

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Please note that while there is a theoretical standard for this process, there's often some flexibility for slight deviations. However, SKAARHOJ cannot provide specific guidance on these limits; we encourage you to explore and learn from your own experience.

USB-Serial

The USB-Serial solution requires a SKAARHOJ device with USB-A port. This is found on products like XC8 and Blue Pill Server. You must enable the USB-A port inside the controllers Settings page. Also, you must run a version of the skaarOS operating system equal to or larger than 1.2-pre3.

To use the USB-Serial converter you must select the "USB-Serial" connectivity method in the device set up. Other fields should be blank.

It's practically possible to use a USB hub to work with more than one USB connection, but they may be assigned randomly in order when you boot it up.

 

Websocket for SSM500

For SSM500 you can choose the "Websocket" connectivity method, and the device core will try to reach the camera directly. In this case, the IP address shall be that of the camera. Leave the other fields blank.

Ethernet-Serial Converter Cabling

To connect your DreamChip camera to an Ethernet Serial converter of any type, you need a Mini XLR male cable with open wires in the other end. Then you connect it in the following way:

    • T+(A) => mini XLR pin 1
    • T-(B) => mini XLR pin 2
    • GND = mini XLR pin 3

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Test connection

Open a terminal and use "nc" (netcat) or telnet to connect to the converter on port 5000. Using "nc" will send LF as line ending. The camera (SSM-500) has proved to respond correctly to both "LR" and "CRLF" line endings. When connected, you won't receive any greeting, but type in "100 identify" and press enter and you should see the camera answer back. Will look like this:

kasper@Kaspers-MBP-2 ~ % nc 192.168.10.48 5000

100 identify

id: caterham_hs 1 0 0 ATOM one SSM500

OK

Here, we're connecting to converter on IP 192.168.10.48. The blue tekst is the command to the camera, the red is the cameras response back to us. This response shows that the camera has ID = 1 (bold). If multiple cameras were on the serial bus, you would see more cameras respond and announce their ID. This is an example with ATOM One, ATOM One Mini and ATOM One Mini zoom on the same serial bus:

100 identify

id: xbow 1 0 0 ATOM one
OK

id: cooper 2 0 0 ATOM one mini
OK

id: blackline 3 0 0 ATOM one mini Zoom
OK

Notice: The converter will accept multiple connections over IP, but the responses from the camera(s) will be returned to all clients regardless of whether they were the sender of a command. The DreamChip cameras are NOT designed to work with multiple masters, so make sure that only one connected client over IP is talking to the camera - any other clients should only listen to the conversation (if that is even useful for them). If you desire a multi master workflow with DreamChip, you should use a SKAARHOJ Blue Pill with the DreamChip device core which will provide a multi master interface with the SKAARHOJ device core protocol.

Ethernet-Serial Converters

WaveShare RS232/485 To ETH

 

WaveShare RS485 To ETH

 

USR-TCP232-306

 

 

Ethernet-Serial converter

Follow instructions for the Ethernet-Serial converter to get it onto your network. When done, make sure to provide it this Serial setup for operation with the DreamChip camera:

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  • Baud Rate: 115200
  • Data Size: 8 bit
  • Parity: None
  • Stop Bits: 1
  • Local Port Number 5000
  • Work Mode: TCP Server

Bug on USR-TCP232-306: It looks like the red TX and green RX LEDs on top of the unit is labeled wrong: On one or more of the units we have tested, it's clear that RX will blink green as we send out content on the serial bus and TX blinks red as we receive content. It feels more intuitive that the TX LED should blink in that case (and vice versa).

The "Link" LED will light up when the device has a network connection. It may not turn of if you pull the plug though - apparently it won't detect such a disconnect.

For WaveShare RS232/485 its essentially the same UI, but slightly differently laid out:

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