Mobile IP Camera Solution

Abstract (Swedish)

This master thesis is aimed at developing a docking station for Axis communications’ camera V5915. The docking station in this master thesis will only reach a proof of concept level.

Axis communications wanted to try to make an accessory which would make a camera wireless in the means of both power and communications. Studies on batteries were conducted early on in the project to understand the possibilities and limitations that could affect the end design.

The functions that were needed in the docking station were known from the start of the master thesis. Studies on electrical components that could accommodate these functions were carried out early on. The criteria for selecting the components were mainly based on power consumption, price, and previously used components at Axis communications. Parallel to the component research, mechanical concepts were generated in order to still have an open mind on how to solve the exterior and interior design. The methodology used originates from Ulrich and Eppinger’s Product design and development.

A fully functioning prototype was developed to prove the concept of a wireless docking station. The 95 Watt hours (Wh) capacity RRC2024 lithium ion battery was chosen to power the WizFi630 wireless module as well as the V5915. The LTC3646-1 switch modulated power supply was utilized to ensure an efficient voltage regulation for the wireless module.

Recommendations for future development is to design a more versatile unit that is adaptable to a wider range of Axis cameras.

Popular Abstract

This article describes the master thesis work performed at LTH and concerns the process of designing and building a prototype that makes an Axis Communications stationary camera completely wireless. This will be achieved by incorporating a Wi-Fi and a suitable battery into a chassis design.

The data transfer rates of wireless communication has only recently reached high enough levels to support high quality video streams. There are a lot of cameras that do not yet have the functionality integrated. At Axis Communications several such cameras exists which has led to this project focusing on the development of a separate complementary device that will enable a camera to have complete freedom from wires. The device will need to supply the camera with power via a battery as well as a way of relaying data communication via a wireless link. While the project only reaches a proof of concept stage it is still beneficial to protect the battery and power electronics inside a shell that also serves as an esthetic front to market the product.

Goals of the project
• Create a fully functional prototype

• Select a battery that runs the prototype for more than 5 hours.

• Create an esthetic design that covers the battery and electronics.

The methods used in order to achieve the desired goals, are divided into mechanical and electrical parts. The electronic components were chosen as the result of market research, while the mechanical design followed the methodology described in Ulrich and Eppinger’s Product design and development.

First a suitable Wi-Fi unit is selected based on supported bandwidth, level of programing needed to implement, and power consumption. After studying several different Wi-Fi solutions the WizFi630 was selected. A DC-DC stepdown unit was chosen to provide the Wi-Fi module with the right voltage level. Several different voltage regulators from Linear Technology were simulated using LTspice IV, and selection criteria included output voltage ripple and efficiency. The device that best met the requirements was the switch modulated power supply circuit LTC3646-1 which showed a high level of efficiency and a low output ripple.

A portable supply of energy was chosen to satisfy both the camera’s and the electronics’ need for power. The average power consumption, product dimensions and the desired period during which the application should run served as the basis for selecting a battery with the correct capacity and dimensions.

The camera consumes between 12 and 18 watts depending on motor usage and data transfer rate. While the Wi-Fi unit consumes approximately 2 watts with its peripheral components. A custom designed battery was developed together with supplier 2 but not produced. Instead the battery RRC2024 from supplier 1 was used to test the functionality of the prototype.
The method for deriving the chassis design was divided into three phases which are: concept generation, concept screening and concept scoring. During the first phase a lot of ideas where generated but most were discarded in the concept screening. The ideas that showed the most potential were developed further before selecting a final concept via concept scoring.

The final chassis design concept was improved with the manufacturing process in mind to make it easier and cheaper to produce.
The final docking station with the electronics in the chassis was capable of running the system for up to eight hours while continuously streaming data to a client. The eight hour test was performed with all internal systems of the camera running. The video stream was compressed to H.264 format and an office environment with moving scenery was filmed. The internal workings of the docking station can be seen in figure 6. During the process of assembling the docking station it was noticed that some vital components were missing and these were included into the final docking station. The components are:
• A transformer.
• A LDO regulator stepping 3.3 volts to 1.8 volts.
• Termination to the Ethernet lines.

These were required in order to get a good signal from the camera to the Wi-Fi.


The project resulted in a fully functioning prototype. The battery selected for the docking station is capable of running the communication and the camera for up to 8 hours which clearly surpasses the 5 hour goal.

The recommendation regarding the future of the docking station project is that it should be implemented to work with a wider range of Axis cameras. If the implementation is successful there is a lot to gain from the economies of scale that comes with larger volumes. With only a few modifications to the internal power regulation, the docking station can offer wireless compatibility to virtually any camera with a reasonable power consumption.

For more information contact the authors of the Master thesis Mobile IP Camera Solution in association with Lund University, faculty of engineering.
Erik Bertilsson – [e-mail]
Nils Sjöholm – [e-mail]

• author: Bertilsson, Erik and Sjöholm, Nils
• supervisor: Gunnar Lindstedt; Bengt Simonsson
• organization: Innovation; Industrial Electrical Engineering and Automation
• course: EIE920 20151
• year: 2015
• type: H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
• subject: Technology and Engineering
• keywords: Battery, Wi-Fi, Docking station, power consumption, Camera, Axis communications, Lithium Ion, DFM.
• report number: 5355
• other publication id: CODEN:LUTEDX/(TEIE-5355)/1-157(2015)
• other publication id: ISRN LUTMDN/TMKT 15/5531 SE
• language: English
• id: 7765114
• date added to LUP: 2015-08-31 09:18:28
• date last changed: 2015-08-31 09:18:28