What Is a Board Camera?
Board Cameras are cameras that are intended to be mounted on a board.
Typically, there is a camera with a lens on the board for connection. Many products use COMS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) image sensors for the camera, while others use CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) cameras.
The basic size is about 20 mm per side. The clarity of the image or video acquired depends on the number of pixels of the sensor used.
Uses of Board Cameras
Board Cameras are often used in devices that process or monitor information with a camera. Examples include cameras in PCs and tablets, cameras in drive recorders, and cameras attached to laboratory equipment.
Different products have different types of connection terminals, different types of standards for transmitted video information, and different types of supported light wavelengths, and these must be taken into consideration when making the appropriate selection. It is also important to take into account the size, the amount of power used during operation, and the number of pixels.
Principle of Board Cameras
Board Cameras consist of a COMS image sensor, a connection terminal, and a processing unit that converts the image obtained from the sensor and the output from the terminal into a standard. Many of them have a lens for light collection.
In operation, light focused by the lens is irradiated onto the COMS image sensor and an electrical signal is output according to the intensity of the color. The electrical signals are then converted to meet the output standards of USB and other devices, and output from the connection terminal. The output data is used to operate other devices on the board to which the Board Camera is connected.
The COMS image sensor outputs as many electrical signals as the number of pixels according to the intensity of the red, green, and yellow colors, and the output mitigates noise and sudden changes in gradient. The accuracy of the image is therefore determined by the number of pixels and the processing algorithm.
How to Select a Board Camera
1. Resolution
The resolution of a Board Camera is a measure of the detail and clarity of an image or video. Resolution is usually expressed in pixels and is a combination of horizontal and vertical pixel counts.
For example, a resolution of 1920×1080 means that the camera has a resolution of 1920 pixels horizontally and 1080 pixels vertically. It is important to select the appropriate resolution according to the environment in which it will be used and the required image quality.
2. Image Sensor Type
There are two primary types of image sensors in Board Cameras: CMOS and CCD. CMOS sensors have circuitry that processes analog signals for individual pixels, allowing for faster readout and integration of features. They are typically used in consumer-level Board Cameras and in general applications.
CCD sensors, on the other hand, have photoelectric conversion elements directly on the image sensor chip and can capture analog signals very accurately. As such, they are sometimes used for specialized applications requiring high image quality or in low light environments.
3. Lens
Board Camera lenses should be selected in terms of focal length, viewing angle, variable vs. fixed focus, and optical performance. In particular, the viewing angle is also important in terms of how much area it can cover. A wide viewing angle may lack detailed information, so it is necessary to select an appropriate one for the intended use and the shooting environment.
The ease of changing lenses will also be important if lenses are changed more frequently to meet future photographic needs.
4. Interface
The interface is important for connecting the Board Camera. Common interfaces include USB, HDMI, and Ethernet.
It is necessary to check compatibility with one’s own terminals, systems, and devices and select the appropriate interface. In most cases, this is included with the purchase of the camera, but not always, so check at the time of purchase.