A Winning Combination: The IP Net Camera Solution

Video surveillance technology is quickly shifting away from traditional analog closed-circuit television camera (CCTV) methods toward solutions involving advanced IP network cameras, cameras with built in networking and video processing. Texas Instruments’ IP Net Camera solution is both high performing and operates using industry-leading low power. The solution takes advantage of a flexible sensor interface device to reduce power and billing-of-materials, a processor that delivers excellent low-light performance and a power module used for boosting efficiency.

IP net cameras
IP network cameras, otherwise known as IP cameras, leverage Internet connectivity to provide users with remote control and viewing from any location. The cameras are equipped with individual IP addresses and computing hardware to manage the network communication and permit live coverage.

Although similar to webcams in principle, IP cameras are independent of local machines; they do not rely on a computer connection to function since data is fed directly to a central server. For this reason, IP cameras are specifically used for surveillance and feature higher frames and resolution than webcams.

Advantages and disadvantages
Remote accessibility permitted by the two-way networking allows IP camera manipulation from any mobile device with an Internet connection: smartphone, laptop, or tablet. The camera may be redeployed anywhere within the IP network and uses far more secure data transmissions than that of a webcam because of available network encryption and authentication methods such as WEP, WPA, and WPA2. Additionally, the IP camera includes a Power over Ethernet (PoE) interface to obtain electricity directly through the Ethernet cable and eliminate reliance on external power supplies.

Alternatively, IP cameras require greater network bandwidth to transmit the higher resolution video and images they capture than CCTV cameras. IP cameras may also cost more than webcams because of their expanded capabilities.

TI's solution set
TI's solution encompasses the SN65LVDS324 image sensor receiver, the TPS23753A IEEE 802.3-2005 PoE interface, the TPS5432 step-down converter, the high-efficiency single inductor converter TPS63036, and LM27313 – a 1.6-MHz boost converter.

The solution permits HD video processing at up to 1080p and 60 frames-per-second with face detection, video stabilization, and excellent low light performance. Thanks to the flexibility of the image sensor receiver, the gap is bridged between various video image sensors and the processors. Lastly, the IP camera power module of choice is extremely cost effective with 90+% efficient on a 5-V operation.

SN65LVDS324
SN65LVDS324 is a high-definition image sensor receiver with low-light capability, 1080p60 resolution, and video analytics. The component bridges the video stream HD image sensors made by leading manufacturers to a format acceptable by common processors. SN65LVDS324's supported pixel frequency is 18.5 to 162 MHz, accommodating resolutions from VGA to 1080p.

TPS23753A
The TPS23753A is a two-part component: it is the interface enabling the PoE potential and a current-mode dc/dc controller that's been optimized for isolated converter designs. The PoE implementation supports the IEEE 802.3at standard as a 13-W type 1 PD and the requirements for an IEEE 802.3at type 1 device are a superset of IEEE 802.3-2008.

A number of input-voltage ORing options are support by TPS23753A. These include highest voltage, external adapter preferences, and PoE preferences. The PoE feature can actually be turned on and off thanks to an external detection signature pin that can be used to disable the internal hot-swap MOSFET.

The dc/dc controller features a bootstrap startup mechanism that uses an internal switched current source, enabling cycling overload fault protection without the constant power loss attributed to pull up resistors.

TPS5432
TPS5432 is a 2.95 to 6-V input, 3-A synchronous step-down converter. The device permits smaller designs as a result of a current-mode control that reduces external component count and a 700-kHz switching frequency that reduced conductor size.

TPS63036
The highly efficient TPS63036 is a single-inductor buck-booster converter with 1-A switches. TPS63036 is based on a fixed-frequency pulse-width-modulation (PWM) controller and obtains optimal efficiency by using synchronous rectification. The converter provides regulated output voltage from an input supply that can be higher or lower than the output voltage. The component activates a Power Save mode to maintain high efficiency over a wide load current range anytime a low load current is reached.

LM27313
LM27313 is the final component in the IP net camera solution suite; the switching regulator is a 1.6-MHz fixed-operating-frequency boost converter. The regulator includes a logic-level shutdown pin that extends battery life by reducing quiescent current. Cycle-by-cycle current limiting and thermal shutdown are used to provide protection. Component count is reduced, thereby simplifying design, as a result of internal compensation.

Buy these featured parts now at Mouser Electronics:

SN65LVDS324
TPS23753A
TPS5432
TPS63036
LM27313

Visit TI.com for an in-depth look at this solution