Data Sheet

2/17/2018 Pcam 5C Reference Manual [Reference.Digilentinc]
https://reference.digilentinc.com/reference/add-ons/pcam-5c/reference-manual 6/11
Image sensor break-outs such as the Pcam 5C can only be controlled by an SoC with a MIPI CSI-2 controller in hardware and using them
requires complicated software that properly configures the controller and the sensor. When trying to implement a method of using such a
break-out with an FPGA host, there are two realistic options:
1. Pay a license fee to acquire MIPI CSI-2 IP that is designed to work in FPGAs. Typically this will provide a very robust solution and
good software support, including embedded Linux drivers. The licensing fees are steep for these, and can be cost prohibitive to
many. The source code is also often encrypted, so it can not be studied for educational purposes.
2. Develop the hardware and software from scratch. This requires a large time investment from someone with advanced skills. It also
requires access to information that is not accessible to most, including closed specifications and datasheets.
To solve this problem, Digilent has created a set of open source Vivado IP cores that work with the Pcam 5C on FPGA and Zynq host
boards. In order to achieve this in a practical manner, some short-cuts have been taken that limit this IP from functioning as robustly as
some of the licensed solutions that are available. Also, the software paired with the IP does not currently take full advantage of all of the
OV5640's features, which has some affect on the produced image quality. Digilent will continue to work to improve this IP, and encourages
others to do the same by contributing to this open source project.
The currently implemented feature set of the Digilent IP and software is described in the overview section of the wiki page for a host
board's Pcam 5C demo. Notes on the image quality produced can also be found in the “Pcam 5C Image Quality Notes” section of the same
wiki page. Currently the only posted demo is the Zybo Z7 Pcam 5C demo (https://reference.digilentinc.com/learn/programmable-
logic/tutorials/zybo-z7-pcam-5c-demo/start), but future Pcam compatible hosts will have similar demos. If the currently implemented
feature set and image quality of the Pcam 5C demo is relevant to your interest in the Pcam 5C, the demo wiki page should be
reviewed prior to purchasing the device.
Digilent is currently exploring providing a Petalinux based demo that uses an evaluation license of the Xilinx licensed IP. This may be more
relevant to those trying to implement a professional project or that require software support in embedded Linux. Please reach out on the
Digilent Forum (https://forum.digilentinc.com) for an update on the status of this project.
Although the connector on the Pcam 5C is pin compatible with the Raspberry Pi, Digilent has not validated that the two devices work
properly together and does not provide software to do so.
Voltage and Power Parameters Min Typical Max Units
Power Supply Input Voltage 3.0 3.3 3.6 V
Power Supply Current Consumption - - 200 mA
SCCB Signal voltage - 3.3 - V
PWUP signal voltage - 3.3 - V
Timing Parameters Min Typ Max Units
MIPI_CLK Frequency - 672 - MHz ()
XVCLK Frequency (IC2) - 12.000 - MHz ()
PWUP Low Pulse (For Reset) 100 - - ms
PWUP high to SCCB access 50 - - ms
SCCB Clock (SCL) Frequency - - 400 KHz
Image Sensor Parameters Value Units
Optical size 1/4 Inches
Active Array Dimensions 2592 x 1944 Pixels
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Specifications