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uCAM-III
- Highly integrated serial camera module that can be attached to any host system that requires a video camera or a JPEG compressed still camera for embedded imaging applications.
- The module uses a CMOS VGA colour sensor along with a JPEG compression chip.
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MicroCAM 3 (uCAM-III)
The uCAM-III (microCAM-III) is a highly integrated serial camera module which can be attached to any host system that requires a video camera or a JPEG compressed still camera for embedded imaging applications, and is the new upgrade to the popular uCAM-II, which is backwards compatible but includes some additional features.
The module uses a CMOS VGA colour sensor along with a JPEG compression chip that provides a low cost and low powered camera system. The module has an on-board serial interface (TTL) that is suitable for a direct connection to any host micro-controller UART or a PC system COM port.
The uCAM-III is capable of outputting both RAW format and JPEG format images.
User commands are sent using a simple serial protocol that can instruct the camera to send low resolution (80×60 to 160×120) single frame raw images for viewing or high resolution (160×128 to 640×480) JPEG images for storage or viewing.
The uCAM-III comes in a compact form factor with a built in lens and a 5-wire connector that provides easy access to both power and serial data.
There are 3 lenses available for this camera from 4D Systems. A 56° (Standard), a 76°, and a 116°. These are available to purchase separately. The uCAM-III ships with the 56° lens installed.
There is a locking nut on the barrel thread of the lens, which is used to lock the focus in place once set, to prevent it from inadvertently being changed.
Product Availability Statement
Information about the module
- Small size, low cost and low powered camera module for embedded imaging applications.
- uCAM-III: 5V DC Supply nominal
- On-board EEPROM with command-based interface via TTL serial link.
- UART up to 3.68Mbps for transferring JPEG or raw images.
- On-board VGA colour sensor with RAW / JPEG CODEC.
- Built-in down sampling, clamping and windowing circuits.
- Built-in colour conversion circuits.
- No external DRAM required.
- Additional lenses available.
- Locking nut to secure focus.
- Weight ~6g.
- Dimensions: 32mm x 32mm x 21mm (without lens, including header).
- RoHS compliant.
The uCAM-III includes the following items:
- uCAM-III Module
- 56° Lens
Frequently Asked Questions
Find quick answers about our display modules, embedded integration, customization capabilities, and system compatibility.
How do I choose the right display module for my project?
Start by identifying the demands of your product environment: required screen size, touch capability, operating conditions and UI complexity. Our consistent form-factor families allow you to select a module that fits your constraints today and upgrade performance later without redesigning your enclosure or PCB. Our documentation hub provides comparison tables to assist selection.
What is the difference between a smart display and a host-driven display?
Smart displays include an onboard processor that handles graphics, widgets, UI logic and drawing commands internally. This reduces load on your host MCU, simplifies code and often shortens development time dramatically. Host-driven modules require the host MCU to manage everything, which may be appropriate for minimal UIs but introduces more integration work.
Can I upgrade processors without changing my enclosure or PCB?
Yes. Our architecture is deliberately designed around footprint consistency. Most display families maintain identical mechanical and electrical footprints across multiple processor types, enabling generation-to-generation performance improvements without mechanical redesign.
Do you offer non-touch and touch options?
Yes. Many display families provide variants for non-touch, resistive-touch and capacitive-touch configurations. Capacitive-touch variants are recommended for modern, responsive UI experiences.