Portable Sprite Observation System based on IP-Camera

Leonid V. Sorokin

Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia,

The mobile Sprite observation system is based on the IP-camera VNC748 E2 (Sony ICX-429ALL)

The main purpose of making this system is the mobile decision for field observation.

MAIN FEATURES

• Max. exposition time - 16 sec• Min. exposition time - 300 nanosec• Sensitivity 0,005 Lux (F0,8)• CCD SONY ICX429ALL passive cooling• Auto-detecting of the lens type. (It is necessary

only to plug in the lens and the camera would detect it’s type - manual iris lens, direct drive or video drive)

• Black level automatic regulation• Gamma-correction in a range of 1.0 – 0.2• Amplification +24 dB

DIGITAL MODES OF SIGNALPROCESSING AND DIGITAL OUTPUT:

• 10 bit ADC

• Digital zoom – x2 and x4

• Night mode

• Freeze frame series mode (built-in 2Mb RAM)

• Titles and on-screen menu

• IP interface

IP-camera• The IP-camera

VNC748 E2 has the LAN 100 Base-T interface.

• It is possible to connect upto four cameras to one Notebook computer using the 1GB Router.

• In the current configuration the two cameras can be in use simultaneously.

Camera Driver• The software provides

access to all camera-settings and video capture parameters.

• This mobile Sprite observation system can be used for registration of TLE events– in the field, – at the open air, – during the expedition – in the conditions of the

strict weight limitation.

Mobile Power Kit

Automatic Battery Charger for Sealed-Lead-Acid Battery

Sealed-Lead-Acid Battery 12V, 7Ah.

GPS Timing system can be based on:

• Trimble Resolution T Receiver

• GlobalSat ET-322 (SiRF Star III)

• GlobalSat BU-353 (SiRF Star III)

• NMEA Time

• Notebook computer clock synchronization with accuracy of 12,5 msec

Trimble Resolution T Receiver

GlobalSat ET-322 (SiRF Star III)

• 1 PPS

• L1, 1575.42 MHz

• 20 Channels

• TTL

• RS-232

• Low power

NMEA protocol

GlobalSat BU-353 (SiRF Star III)

GPS Signal Quality

NMEA Time

Thank you for your attention!

Workshop on Coupling of Thunderstorms and Lightning Discharges to Near-Earth Space23-27 June 2008, University of Corsica, Corte, France