Ubuntu India

NOTE: This project is still just an idea. We are actively looking for sponsors, collaborators.

The Ubuntu India team is looking for a 1-3 person(s) team who will take up the task of R&D and implementation of a smaller/cheaper version of Elphel camera.
More about Elphel camera:
Building an Ogg Theora Camera
Camera specification (PDF)

Background

1. Theora is a patent free video codec that aims to provide an alternative to patented MPEG-4 formats like DivX, H.264, WMV etc. - That is not exactly correct - Theora uses patented technology, but there is a "irrevocable free license to the VP3 codec" - see [1] --Elphel 16:32, 9 September 2006 (BRT)
2. Elphel is a network camera that can produce and transfer Theora Video over network.

Why

1. We want to promote Free software and patent-free way of sharing knowledge in India.
2. Various events related to Free software take place in India every year. We want to be able to provide recordings of such events in patent-free way.
3. Since the Theora codec is royalty free the price of such camera will be relatively lower than other video cameras.

Components in original design

1. Axis ETRAX100LX 32-bit Linux-optimized processor - Runs Linux kernel and other free software. In addition to the preinstalled software it can also execute custom applications too.
2. 32 MB of dedicated DDR SDRAM - Complements computational power of the FPGA with the high volume/high bandwidth storage for the image data.
3. Reconfigurable Xilinx Spartan® FPGA - Provides more than 10 billions of arithmetic operations per second for image processing and compression.
4. 3-PLL programmable clock generator - Contributes to the system flexibility.
5. CMOS image sensor - High resolution color 2048x1536 10-bit CMOS image sensor can run up to 12 fps at full resolution (30 fps for 1280x1024, 99 fps for 640x512, even higher frame rate for smaller frames). Other sensors are also available with the Elphel Model 333 cameras.
6. 16MB of flash memory - Provides room for the software, FPGA image as well as the source code, circuit diagrams and other product documentation.
7. IEEE 802.3a circuitry - Allows camera to be powered over the LAN cable up to 100m long. (Note: This can be replaced by FireWire for fast data transfer as well as powering)
8. Extension board connector - Makes it possible to add functionality to the camera – serial I/O port, gated image intensifier control. Future extensions will include lens control and audio.
9. 32MB of SDRAM system memory

What we are looking for

We are looking for following features in the camera

1. The camera should produce video at 30fps with 800x600 resolution at least.
2. Sound is a must.
3. Camera should have FireWire interface.
4. Some sort of storage mechanism if possible. If not the camera should be able to actively transmit video stream over firewire.

What are the conditions

1. The team will be involved first in the feasibility study and design of such smaller/cheaper version of Elphel camera.
2. Upon approval of the design, the team will be involved in implementation of design.
3. We are not promising any sponsorship for the project at this moment. It all depends on the cost of camera and voluntary funding available.

What will the team get

1. A good project idea.
2. Recognition from Indian Free software community.
3. Copyleft of the design (joint copyleft if it is direct modification of original design).

Whom to contact

Join #ubuntu-in channel on irc.freenode.net if possible.
Otherwise send a mail to Ubuntu India mailing list.