SinoVoIP BPI-D1 is a tiny 720p30 camera module running Linux, and powered by Anyka AK3918 ARM9 processor. It’s a standalone module that can be powered by micro USB (5V), or an external Lithium battery, and it also includes various GPIOs, a micro USB interface, a micro SD slot to boot Linux, optional Wi-Fi connectivity, and more..
BPI D1 specifications:
- Processor – Anyka AK3918 ARM926EJ processor @ 400 MHz
- System Memory – 64MB DDR2
- Storage – 16 MB SPI Flash + micro SD flash up to 32GB.
- Camera:
- CMOS Image Sensor 720p @ 30fps, visible light with 940 nm two-way infrared lens filter, with infrared night vision function
- Lens – M7*P0.35 EFL=3.0mm/F.NO=2.8/View Angle=60°
- Video Recording – H.264 / AVI hardware encoding at 720p 30fps for up to 120 hours of video data on a 32GB micro SD card
- Audio Formats – MP3/WMA/AAC
- Audio Input – Microphone
- Connectivity – 802.11 b/g/n (AP or client mode) with Realtek RTL8188EUS WIFI module (D1 Pro version only)
- USB – 1x micro USB OTG port, 1x micro USB port for power
- Expansion
- 14-pin header for GPIO, PWM, UART, I2C, SPI, audio in, and stereo audio out.
- 8-pin header to add NRF24L01 2.4GHz RF module
- Debugging – UART header for serial console
- Misc – RTC, function key function and charging LED, night vision photo-resistance
- Power Supply – Micro USB or external 3.7V Li-ion battery charged via AXP173 power management chip
- Power Consumption – Recording: 200 mA @ 5V; WiFi On: 350mA @ 5V; 24-hour recording is achievable with a 10,000 mAH battery
- Dimensions – 36x36mm
- Weight – 10 grams
SinoVoIP also claims BPI-DI is an “open source” camera module, but the hardware is certainly closed, there’s no Linux kernel source on bananapi-dev github account (yet), and all they provide are the flash burning tool, and a 2MB firmware image. Luckily for us, hardware engineers often add their company name during board design, and you’ll notice a “Lamobo” marking on the botton right corner of the picture above. A quick Google Search will point to Lamodo company website, which mentions only their D1 camera module, as well as a Kickstarter campaign for the module, which was successful in terms of funding, but the goods have not been shipped yet, and the latest update (28/10/2014) is entitled “a letter of apology” (reserved to backers) which should mean delays or something worse. In any case, they also have a github account and lamobo-d1 repo with tools, Linux 3.4.15 and ip camera app source code, and the rootfs.
The Kickstarter video is still interesting, as it shows it’s light enough to be flown on a kite, and can control motors via PWM output, among other things.
SinoVoIP has not formally released the board yet and pricing information, but Lamobo D1 camera module went for $65 on Kickstarter including a 8GB micro SD card, a lens with 80-degree view angle, three USB cables for power, programming, and USB to serial, a USB type-A male connector, and an acrylic case for the board. D1 Pro version adding a Wi-Fi module went for $75. [Update: BPI-D1 can be purchased for $43 on Aliexpress]. If you are interested in making your own module with Anyka processor, you can visit Anyka AK39xx and HD IP camera solution pages.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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