MIPI CSI (Camera)

Connecting the Innowave OV5645 Camera

<todo> add more detail

The innowave camera comes pre-installed with the latest revision (2024) of the NavQPlus. It is a fixed focus camera unlike the autofocus google coral camera. The installation and removal is very similar to the the instructions below for the Google coral camera.

The flex cable has marking on it "this side up" that should be visible when looking at the connector side of the board. i.e you can read "this side up" and also read the silkscreen "CSI 1"on the bottom of the board at the same time.

Connecting the Google Coral Camera

CAUTION! If the Google Coral Camera is connected backwards, it will cause a short circuit and burn out both the MIPI-CSI cable and the sensor in the camera. Please see the images below on how to properly connect the Google Coral Camera to the NavQPlus.

One Google Coral camera is included with most NavQPlus kits. The NavQPlus does support two MIPI-CSI Cameras simultaneously. Additional Google Coral cameras and extended ribbon cables are available from Google, or other retailers.

Pin 1 (P1) on the Google Coral Camera should be connected to the pin with the arrow on the MIPI-CSI port. Please see the images below. The sides with the red box should line up. You should see the blue on the flex cable when connecting to the MIPI-CSI port.

Image reference of how the camera should be connected to the NavQPlus. Please note the orientation of the flex cable. This is very important!

Camera Mount

Depending on your kit, there may be a tall or short camera mount included. The short version typically ships with the NavQPlus or drone itself, while a tall version may come with an MR-Buggy3 development kit. Please refer to the image below for information on how to assemble.

The camera mount is provided unassembled.

See drawing PDF below. Note the three three screws (item 10) and nuts (item 8) that connect the inner case (item3) to the camera adapter (item 2). This is a little difficult to see on the drawings.

FYI the camera mount base is designed to be compatible with other off the shelf "action cameras" and uses a #10-32 screw to attach. Other designs, accessories or modifications can easily be 3d printed and adapted.

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