Design engineers searching a development platform for a low-power, high-performing and cost-sensitive H.264 IP network camera need look no further than Freescale Semiconductor. The i.MX27 IP Camera Reference Design furnishes the hardware engine and software applications to enable an OEM to add their differentiating IP or go straight to manufacture. The reference design is based on the powerful i.MX27 multimedia applications processor from Freescale, with Smart Speed technology.

The i.MX27 necessitates two clock inputs.

• 32.768 kHzon-chip oscillator driving a crystal provides clocking for sleep modes and the RTC.
— The 32.768 kHz crystal can be used to clock all functions in the processor; however, because this clock requires a large multiplication factor, the clock is not as stable.
— The 32.768 kHz is required to exit reset states properly and for the JTAG debug controller to work.
• 25 MHzoscillator required as the primary clock. The i.MX27 can accept a crystal of 26 MHz or an external oscillator input between 16 and 32 MHz. Because there is already a 25 MHz oscillator for the Ethernet PHY, it will also be used for the processor input clock.

The core can be clocked at two speeds, 400 MHz and 266 MHz. For reduced power consumption, the processor should be operated at the lowest core speed that allows the desired functionality.

Features

* H.264 and MPEG-4 video compression, optimized for performance and power (dual-stream capable)
* Innovative IP camera design is powered by the high-performing, low-power Freescale i.MX27 multimedia applications processor
* Royalty-free reference design
* Aptina 2 MP CMOS sensor with integrated ePTZ
* High quality Tamron CS-mount lens with manual iris
* Integrated Power-over-Ethernet (POE)
* Embedded web server with client setup page for camera configuration and remote viewing
* Wired or wireless (802.11g) streaming
* Comprehensive software and hardware design package reduces OEM time-to-market

Included in kit

* Form-factor IP Camera with enclosure and high quality optics
* Mini-tripod
* +12V Power Supply, RJ45 cable, serial cable
* Quickstart Guide
* IPCAM Developer’s CD: Documentation, Design Files (Gerber), BOM

Network Connectivity

* Physical Interface: 10/100 Ethernet or 802.11g
* Protocols: TCP/IP, DHCP, HTTP, UDP, FTP

Block Diagram

Demonstration of the Freescale i.MX27 IP Camera based on the Freescale Reference Design

Hi, my name is Amanda McGregor. I work for Freescale Semiconductor as an i.MX product marketer. Today, we are showcasing a new reference design for the IP video surveillance market. There is a growing trend for security both in the home and in industry and this reference design is showcasing the features of the MX27 that make it ideal for this particular market segment. So to start with, the i.MX27 is an AMD 9 based processor running at 400 MHz. It gives us enough head room to do things like running an operating system, doing some motion detection, perhaps doing audio compression. The i.MX27 also has hardware video compression, that’s important for taking the image through the camera and maintaining high quality but low bandwidth over the network. We can compress in MPEG-4 and H.2644 formats up to D1 resolution. By implementing in hardware we can also save power. So that’s very important for an IP camera system. We have an on chip Ethernet in the i.MX27 existing as we move from CCTV to digital IP cameras. We want to use the existing cut 5K that’s running through the house and the building. We can do that with the MX 27 at a better price point because it integrates the Ethernet controller. So that’s a key advantage with the MX 27. We also have other connectivity. We have USB; we have SDIO so you could do some local storage. We could also do wireless through the SDIO port or a USB port. So that’s gives the ability to do wireless streaming of data as well. The reference design that we have today, just recently announced, we have full hardware, software implementation. Based on the Linux, we provide all the design files, the software, complete PSP and the camera itself. To help customers take the product, turn it quickly and get to market you know in a shorter time frame. So, in summary the i.MX27 is an ideal balance of cost and performance for the IP camera market and having a reference design will enable customers to get to mark it quickly.

Read the Italian version: i.MX27 Telecamera IP da Freescale

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