Help interfacing the uCam

[Dr_Acula]

In another thread I posted a quite detailed explanation of how to get the uDrive talking to both vb.net and to assembly language. However, a similar process with the uCam is proving much more difficult.

Ok, tools of the trade include software that can talk to the serial port (vb.net and robot basic) and two serial ports so you can loop data back and emulate things. Also, a serial port sniffer is essential which I got for free but I see they are charging a small royalty now http://www.serial-port-monitor.com/index.html Ultimately this is going to be ported to the Propeller but for the moment the task is getting it working talking to a PC

I have the software supplied with the device which is very useful for following the commands.

The problem is that to create this software takes hours (days even) building it up one line at a time and checking it works. I've got as far as command AA04 but it is proving very hard to debug.

Problems: The device shuts down if you only get half way through doing something. So lots of power cycles are required. The reset command AA08 does not seem to work. And even the supplied software hangs quite often, so clearly this doesn't have a reliable reset mechanism. Bootups are inconsistent - you can send it a series of commands and get ACKs back, and they cycle the power, give the same commands and it won't work. The number of initialisation commands can be up to 60 but sometimes it works with only one, and it is unclear when to stop sending these, and the number can vary so doing one for one comparisons with the supplied program is difficult. And doing comparisons is difficult too - eg in section 5.4.1 is a supplied series of instructions for a 640x480 jpeg but the trace is not the same on the supplied program - eg there is no command for a snapshot AA05, and the command for the size is AA01 00 07 07 07 but on the trace it is AA01 00 07 03 07. The package size doesn't match either.

Having spent a whole day on this (and having cracked the code for the uDrive), I'm wondering if there is some more information available:

* A reliable reset mechanism that works regardless of the module being only half way through a previous initialisation
* A consistent number of initialisation packets - even if this means adding in time delays between various steps
* And if at all possible, some source code so it is possible to single step through the commands and trace things more slowly?

Also, maybe my module was a one-off, but it came supplied with a D9 connector (at no extra cost, thanks++), but the power and data lines were transposed inside the D9 shell (lucky RS232 is robust!)

Any help with some source code would be most appreciated!

Addit: This is only partially complete, but it is returning the first 512 bytes of the picture now. Reboots are still unreliable, and there is an extra Ack needed that isn't in the manual. But we are making progress!

Dim WithEvents SerialPort As New IO.Ports.SerialPort ' serial port declare
Public Declare Sub Sleep Lib "kernel32" (ByVal dwMilliseconds As Integer) ' for sleep statements
Public InPacket(0 To 2000) As Byte ' bug with serial.write strings like chr(255) won't go out
Public OutPacket(0 To 50) As Byte ' usually only send out a few bytes though so could make this smaller
Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
Dim i As Integer

SerialPort.PortName = TextBox1.Text
SerialPort.BaudRate = TextBox2.Text
SerialPort.Parity = IO.Ports.Parity.None ' no parity
SerialPort.DataBits = 8 ' 8 bits
SerialPort.StopBits = IO.Ports.StopBits.One ' one stop bit
SerialPort.ReadTimeout = 1000 ' milliseconds so times out in 1 second if no response
Try
SerialPort.Open() ' open the port
SerialPort.DiscardInBuffer() ' clear the input buffer
'Reset()
'Sleep(1000)
'GetPacket()
TextBox3.Text += "Waking up camera" + vbCrLf
Application.DoEvents()
i = 0
Do
Synch()
Sleep(10) ' wait for response
Application.DoEvents() ' update the display
i += 1
TextBox3.Text += "."
Loop Until i > 60 Or SerialPort.BytesToRead >= 6
If i > 60 Then TextBox3.Text += "No response after 60 tries" + vbCrLf
TextBox3.Text += vbCrLf + "Waiting 3 secs to adjust brightness and colour" + vbCrLf
GetPacket()
Sleep(1000) ' delay
SerialPort.DiscardInBuffer() ' clear the input buffer
SendAck()
Sleep(2000) ' to adjust brightness etc
jpeg() ' send instructions for a jpeg
GetSixBytes()
PackageSize()
GetSixBytes()
'Snapshot()
'GetSixBytes()
GetPicture()
GetSixBytes()
SendAck() ' yes this is needed but it isn't in the manual
' now get 512 bytes
Get512Bytes()
SerialPort.Close()
Catch ex As Exception
SerialPort.Close()
TextBox3.Text += "Timeout error" + vbCrLf

End Try
End Sub
Private Sub GetPacket()
' read 6 bytes back from the uCam
Dim i As Integer
Dim h As String
SerialPort.Read(InPacket, 0, 6) ' read 6 bytes back
For i = 0 To 5
h = Hex(InPacket(i))
If Val("&H" + h) < 16 Then h = "0" + h ' add leading zero
TextBox3.Text += h + " "
Next
If InPacket(1) = 15 Then ' NAK error
TextBox3.Text += " Error number (p10 manual) = " + Str(InPacket(4))
End If
If InPacket(1) = 14 Then ' ACK - print number
TextBox3.Text += "Ack command " + Str(InPacket(2)) + " number " + Str(InPacket(3))
End If
TextBox3.Text += vbCrLf
Application.DoEvents() ' refresh the display
End Sub
Sub GetSixBytes()
Do
Loop Until SerialPort.BytesToRead >= 6
GetPacket()
End Sub
Private Sub Get512Bytes()
TextBox3.Text += "Waiting for bytes to come in..." + vbCrLf
Application.DoEvents()
Sleep(2000)
TextBox3.Text += "Number of bytes to read " + Str(SerialPort.BytesToRead) + vbCrLf
'SerialPort.Read(InPacket, 0, 512) ' read 512 bytes back
' but is it 512+ the header bytes?
Application.DoEvents()
End Sub


Private Sub SendAck()
OutPacket(0) = &HAA
OutPacket(1) = &HE
OutPacket(2) = &HD
OutPacket(3) = &H0
OutPacket(4) = &H0
OutPacket(5) = &H0
SerialPort.Write(OutPacket, 0, 6)
End Sub
Private Sub jpeg()
' jpeg 640
OutPacket(0) = &HAA
OutPacket(1) = &H1
OutPacket(2) = &H0
OutPacket(3) = &H7
OutPacket(4) = &H3
OutPacket(5) = &H1 ' tiny jpeg for testing first
SerialPort.Write(OutPacket, 0, 6)
End Sub
Private Sub PackageSize()
' 512 bytes
OutPacket(0) = &HAA
OutPacket(1) = &H6
OutPacket(2) = &H8
OutPacket(3) = &H0
OutPacket(4) = &H2 ' 2*256
OutPacket(5) = &H0
SerialPort.Write(OutPacket, 0, 6)
End Sub
Private Sub Snapshot()
' take the picture
OutPacket(0) = &HAA
OutPacket(1) = &H5
OutPacket(2) = &H0
OutPacket(3) = &H0
OutPacket(4) = &H0
OutPacket(5) = &H0
SerialPort.Write(OutPacket, 0, 6)
End Sub
Private Sub GetPicture()
' gets an ack then gets the bytes
OutPacket(0) = &HAA
OutPacket(1) = &H4
OutPacket(2) = &H5
OutPacket(3) = &H0
OutPacket(4) = &H0
OutPacket(5) = &H0
SerialPort.Write(OutPacket, 0, 6)
End Sub
Private Sub Reset()
' issue a reset command
OutPacket(0) = &HAA
OutPacket(1) = &H8
OutPacket(2) = &H0
OutPacket(3) = &H0
OutPacket(4) = &H0
OutPacket(5) = &H0
SerialPort.Write(OutPacket, 0, 6)
End Sub
Private Sub Synch()
OutPacket(0) = &HAA
OutPacket(1) = &HD
OutPacket(2) = &H0
OutPacket(3) = &H0
OutPacket(4) = &H0
OutPacket(5) = &H0
SerialPort.Write(OutPacket, 0, 6)
End Sub
End Class

[Dr_Acula]

A quick update. 4dsystems kindly sent me their latest testing software. It is *much* better than the one currently on the website as it prints out the Rx and Tx data packets and I've made a lot of progress.

What I've found though is that the module still gets very unhappy from time to time and simply stops communicating. So I've built a little 'hard reset' circuit using a 555 and 4 transistors, and this listens to the RS232 line and if there is a signal then it turns on the uCam.

The 555 is configured as a retriggerable monostable with a time delay of about 4 seconds. So if the uCam hangs, simply wait 4 seconds and it will turn off, and then turn it on again with a byte on the RS232 line and it is ready to go.

I'm finding it responds to a synch after only two or three tries when it is powered up. So this is much simpler than the 'up to 60' tries mentioned in the manual.

If you want to keep the camera alive, just send acks every second or so.

Now we have consistent startups and no hangs, the code is proving much easier to write. Stay tuned!

Attached files RS232_555.pdf (32.4 KB)

[Dr_Acula]

Getting very close now. Got most of a picture - just need to work out how the last packet works:

Waking up camera
=> AA 0D 00 00 00 00
=> AA 0D 00 00 00 00
=> AA 0D 00 00 00 00
=> AA 0D 00 00 00 00
=> AA 0D 00 00 00 00
=> AA 0D 00 00 00 00
=> AA 0D 00 00 00 00
=> AA 0D 00 00 00 00
=> AA 0D 00 00 00 00
=> AA 0D 00 00 00 00
=> AA 0D 00 00 00 00

Waiting 3 secs to adjust brightness and colour
AA 0E 0D 00 00 00
=> AA 01 00 07 01 01
AA 06 08 C8 00 00
AA 04 05 00 00 00
= 10
SerialPort.Read(InPacket, 0, 10) ' read 10 bytes back
TextBox3.Text += " "
For i = 0 To 5
h = Hex(OutPacket(i))
If Val("&H" + h) < 16 Then h = "0" + h ' add leading zero
TextBox3.Text += h + " "
Next
TextBox3.Text += vbCrLf
SerialPort.Write(OutPacket, 0, 6) ' send it out
Application.DoEvents() ' refresh the display
End Sub
Private Sub GetEntirePicture()
Dim i As Integer
Dim PacketNumber As Integer
i = 0
PacketNumber = 0
Do
SendPictureAck(PacketNumber) ' ack to get the next packet
GetTwoHundredBytes()
i += 200 ' add 200 - change this packet size later??
PacketNumber += 1 ' add 1 to packetnumber
Loop Until i > 1000 ' nominal number at present as hangs on last packet
'Loop Until i >= Filesize ' not working on last packet as yet
' send F0F0 final packet received
End Sub

End Class

[Dr_Acula]

More experiments.

When you send the command "get picture" AA 04 05 it returns some bytes which are supposed to be the file size (I think). I'm multiplying byte 5 byte 256 and adding byte 4. Maybe the maths is wrong, but with an 80x64 jpg, on the last packet it is returning 42 more bytes than I would expect.

On bigger file sizes it returns more spare bytes, and sometimes there are more bytes than a remaining packet size.

I'm not sure of a way around this. Maybe ignore the returned size of the file and keep checking packets till they stop coming. But that slows things down. Maybe do some maths to find the value to correct the file size.

Addit: I think I found an explanation. In the returned data packet, say it is 200 bytes, then according to the manual the first two will be and ID, the second two the size of the returned packet "C2", and the last two are a checksum. So when you ask for 200 bytes you get back 194. Which equals "C2" in hex. And further, I was getting back 7 packets, and was 6 bytes short per packet, and 42 bytes over at the end and.... 6x7=42.

So I think the answer is to keep a counter going based on PacketSize-6.

Back to coding...

Yes that works. I've got a manual system that checks the vb.net input buffer for how many bytes, and I've got my maths, and they are coming up with the same number regardless of the jpg size:

RemainingBytes = SerialPort.BytesToRead ' get remaining bytes
ExpectRemaining = Filesize - ((PacketSize - 6) * PacketNumber) + 6 ' what I think should be there

Good, news, now I know exactly how many bytes to read on that last packet

(in the manual is a formula "Number of packages = Image size / (Package size – 6)". But it is not 100% clear of the rounding of the value. The old problem of whether 2.49 rounds to 2, and whether 2.99 also rounds to 2, or whether 2.50001 rounds to 3). I think it is easier in a way to keep a track of the bytes that have come in and when they get within n-6 of the filesize, to call that the last packet.

Addit - all working. Lots of tweaks along the way and probably easiest to post the code and a screenshot. Lots of commented out code - I'll leave it there for the moment as it might be useful to uncomment it.

' James Moxham moxhamj at internode.on.net
' for testing uCam by 4DSystems
Imports System.IO ' needed to run various calls
Imports Strings = Microsoft.VisualBasic ' so can use things like left( and right( for strings
Public Class Main
Dim WithEvents SerialPort As New IO.Ports.SerialPort ' serial port declare
Public Declare Sub Sleep Lib "kernel32" (ByVal dwMilliseconds As Integer) ' for sleep statements
Public InPacket(0 To 2000) As Byte ' bug with serial.write strings like chr(255) won't go out
Public OutPacket(0 To 50) As Byte ' usually only send out a few bytes though so could make this smaller
Public Filesize As Long ' size of file coming back
Dim JPEGArray(0 To 200000) As Byte
Dim JPEGCounter As Long
Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
Dim i As Integer
SerialPort.PortName = TextBox1.Text
SerialPort.BaudRate = TextBox2.Text
SerialPort.Parity = IO.Ports.Parity.None ' no parity
SerialPort.DataBits = 8 ' 8 bits
SerialPort.StopBits = IO.Ports.StopBits.One ' one stop bit
SerialPort.ReadTimeout = 1000 ' milliseconds so times out in 1 second if no response
JPEGCounter = 0
Try
SerialPort.Open() ' open the port
SerialPort.DiscardInBuffer() ' clear the input buffer
TextBox3.Text = "" ' clear text box
TextBox3.Text += "Waking up camera" + vbCrLf
Application.DoEvents()
i = 0
Do
Synch()
Sleep(100) ' wait for response
Application.DoEvents() ' update the display
i += 1
Loop Until i > 60 Or SerialPort.BytesToRead >= 6
If i > 60 Then TextBox3.Text += "No response after 60 tries" + vbCrLf
TextBox3.Text += vbCrLf + "Waiting 3 secs to adjust brightness and colour" + vbCrLf
GetPacket()
Sleep(1000) ' delay
SerialPort.DiscardInBuffer() ' clear the input buffer
SendAck()
Sleep(2000) ' to adjust brightness etc
'jpeg160x128() ' send instructions for a jpeg
'jpeg80x64() ' send instructions for a jpeg
jpeg320x240()
GetSixBytes()
'Snapshot() ' leave out snapshot for the moment, this does a ?raw image
'GetSixBytes()
PackageSizeVariable()
GetSixBytes()
GetPicture()
GetSixBytes() ' do it twice to get 12 bytes
GetSixBytes() ' this package has the size of the file coming back
GetFileSize() ' returns filesize and displays it
GetEntirePicture() ' get all the picture
SerialPort.Close()
SaveJPEG() ' save the file
TextBox3.Text += "Saved to C:\UCAM.JPG" + vbCrLf
DisplayJPEG()
Catch ex As Exception
SerialPort.Close()
TextBox3.Text += "Timeout error" + vbCrLf
End Try
End Sub
Private Sub GetPacket()
' read 6 bytes back from the uCam
Dim i As Integer
Dim h As String
SerialPort.Read(InPacket, 0, 6) ' read 6 bytes back
TextBox3.Text += "<= "
For i = 0 To 5
h = Hex(InPacket(i))
If Val("&amp;H" + h) < 16 Then h = "0" + h ' add leading zero
TextBox3.Text += h + " "
Next
If InPacket(1) = 15 Then ' NAK error
TextBox3.Text += " Error number (p10 manual) = " + Str(InPacket(4))
End If
If InPacket(1) = 14 Then ' ACK - print number
TextBox3.Text += "Ack command " + Str(InPacket(2)) + " number " + Str(InPacket(3))
End If
TextBox3.Text += vbCrLf
Application.DoEvents() ' refresh the display
End Sub
Sub GetSixBytes()
Do
Loop Until SerialPort.BytesToRead >= 6
GetPacket()
End Sub
Sub GetNBytes(ByVal n As Integer)
Dim i As Integer
Dim h As String
Dim LineOfHex As String
Do
Loop Until SerialPort.BytesToRead >= n ' wait till n bytes in buffer
SerialPort.Read(InPacket, 0, n) ' read n bytes back
TextBox3.Text += "<= "
For i = 0 To n - 1 ' loop zero to n-1
'h = Hex(InPacket(i))
'If Val("&amp;H" + h) < 16 Then h = "0" + h ' add leading zero
'LineOfHex += h + " "
If i > 3 And i < n - 2 Then ' discard first 4 and last 2 bytes
JPEGArray(JPEGCounter) = InPacket(i) ' store in the jpeg array
JPEGCounter += 1 ' increment
End If
Next
'TextBox3.Text += LineOfHex + vbCrLf ' display the actual bytes
'Application.DoEvents() ' refresh the display
End Sub

Private Sub SendAck()
OutPacket(0) = &amp;HAA
OutPacket(1) = &amp;HE
OutPacket(2) = &amp;HD
OutPacket(3) = &amp;H0
OutPacket(4) = &amp;H0
OutPacket(5) = &amp;H0
WritePacket()
End Sub
Private Sub SendPictureAck(ByVal Packetnumber As Integer) ' for getting picture packets
Dim HighByte As Integer
Dim LowByte As Integer
HighByte = Packetnumber \ 256
LowByte = Packetnumber Mod 256
OutPacket(0) = &amp;HAA
OutPacket(1) = &amp;HE
OutPacket(2) = &amp;HFF ' ack for picture packets
OutPacket(3) = HighByte
OutPacket(4) = LowByte
OutPacket(5) = &amp;H0
WritePacket()
End Sub
Private Sub jpeg80x64()
OutPacket(0) = &amp;HAA
OutPacket(1) = &amp;H1
OutPacket(2) = &amp;H0
OutPacket(3) = &amp;H7 ' copied 7,1,1 off the ucam software
OutPacket(4) = &amp;H1
OutPacket(5) = &amp;H1 ' tiny 80x64 jpeg for testing first
WritePacket()
End Sub
Private Sub jpeg160x128()
OutPacket(0) = &amp;HAA
OutPacket(1) = &amp;H1
OutPacket(2) = &amp;H0
OutPacket(3) = &amp;H7 ' copied 7,9,3 off the ucam software
OutPacket(4) = &amp;H9
OutPacket(5) = &amp;H3 ' 160x128 jpeg
WritePacket()
End Sub
Private Sub jpeg320x240()
OutPacket(0) = &amp;HAA
OutPacket(1) = &amp;H1
OutPacket(2) = &amp;H0
OutPacket(3) = &amp;H7 ' copied 7,9,5 off the ucam software (can go to 640x480 but a bit grainy at that size)
OutPacket(4) = &amp;H9
OutPacket(5) = &amp;H5
WritePacket()
End Sub
Private Sub PackageSizeVariable()
' use the size of the package in textbox6
If Val(TextBox6.Text) >= 256 Then MsgBox("This code only goes to 256, need to recode for 512")
OutPacket(0) = &amp;HAA
OutPacket(1) = &amp;H6
OutPacket(2) = &amp;H8
OutPacket(3) = Val(TextBox6.Text) ' 64 to 512 maybe other values too
OutPacket(4) = &amp;H0 ' zero
OutPacket(5) = &amp;H0 ' zero
WritePacket()
End Sub
Private Sub Snapshot()
' take the picture
OutPacket(0) = &amp;HAA
OutPacket(1) = &amp;H5
OutPacket(2) = &amp;H0
OutPacket(3) = &amp;H0
OutPacket(4) = &amp;H0
OutPacket(5) = &amp;H0
WritePacket()
End Sub
Private Sub GetPicture()
' gets an ack then gets the bytes
OutPacket(0) = &amp;HAA
OutPacket(1) = &amp;H4
OutPacket(2) = &amp;H5
OutPacket(3) = &amp;H0
OutPacket(4) = &amp;H0
OutPacket(5) = &amp;H0
WritePacket()
End Sub
Private Sub Synch()
OutPacket(0) = &amp;HAA
OutPacket(1) = &amp;HD
OutPacket(2) = &amp;H0
OutPacket(3) = &amp;H0
OutPacket(4) = &amp;H0
OutPacket(5) = &amp;H0
WritePacket()
End Sub
Private Sub FinalPictureAck()
OutPacket(0) = &amp;HAA
OutPacket(1) = &amp;HE
OutPacket(2) = &amp;H0
OutPacket(3) = &amp;H0
OutPacket(4) = &amp;HF0
OutPacket(5) = &amp;HF0
WritePacket()
End Sub
Private Sub GetFileSize()
Filesize = InPacket(4) * 256 + InPacket(3)
TextBox3.Text += "File size = " + Str(Filesize) + " bytes" + vbCrLf
End Sub
Private Sub WritePacket()
Dim i As Integer
Dim h As String
TextBox3.Text += "=> "
For i = 0 To 5
h = Hex(OutPacket(i))
If Val("&amp;H" + h) < 16 Then h = "0" + h ' add leading zero
TextBox3.Text += h + " "
Next
TextBox3.Text += vbCrLf
SerialPort.Write(OutPacket, 0, 6) ' send it out
Application.DoEvents() ' refresh the display
End Sub
Private Sub GetEntirePicture()
' tested with packet size = 10 to 250
Dim i As Integer
Dim PacketNumber As Integer
Dim PacketSize As Integer
Dim RemainingBytes As Integer
Dim ExpectRemaining As Integer
PacketSize = Val(TextBox6.Text)
i = 0
PacketNumber = 0
Do
SendPictureAck(PacketNumber) ' ack to get the next packet
GetNBytes(PacketSize)
i += (PacketSize - 6) ' add packetsize minus 6 as the first 4 and last two bytes of the packet are ID x 2, size x 2 and the last two are checksums
PacketNumber += 1 ' add 1 to packetnumber
'TextBox3.Text += "Picture bytes received = " + Str(i) + vbCrLf
'Label3.Text = "Packet: " + Str(PacketNumber) + " = " + Str(Int(i * 100 / Filesize)) + "%"
Loop Until i > (Filesize - (PacketSize - 6))
SendPictureAck(PacketNumber) ' send for the last packet
'Sleep(1000) 'delay to get the last packet, must be long enough to get all n bytes at slowest rate eg 14400
'RemainingBytes = SerialPort.BytesToRead ' get remaining bytes
ExpectRemaining = Filesize - ((PacketSize - 6) * PacketNumber) + 6 ' what I think should be there
'TextBox3.Text += "Remaining bytes in last packet = " + Str(RemainingBytes) + vbCrLf ' display them
'TextBox3.Text += "Expect this many bytes = " + Str(ExpectRemaining) + vbCrLf
'GetNBytes(RemainingBytes)
GetNBytes(ExpectRemaining) ' now confident enough to get what is calculated to be there, not what is there
'TextBox3.Text += "There should be zero bytes left in the buffer = " + Str(SerialPort.BytesToRead) + vbCrLf
FinalPictureAck()
Application.DoEvents() ' refresh the display
End Sub
Private Sub SaveJPEG()
' Create a file and write the byte data to a file.
Dim oFileStream As System.IO.FileStream
oFileStream = New System.IO.FileStream("C:\UCAM.JPG", System.IO.FileMode.Create) ' save in root directory
oFileStream.Write(JPEGArray, 0, JPEGCounter - 1)
oFileStream.Close()
End Sub
Private Sub DisplayJPEG()
PictureBox1.Load("C:\UCAM.JPG")
End Sub
End Class

[ESPsupport]

So I think the answer is to keep a counter going based on PacketSize-6.

Yes, that is correct.

[chatty]

Nice work Dr Acula.

The higer resolution will help more!!! I am playing with it i can post the code if i can make higer resolution working.

Thanks,
Chatty

[Dr_Acula]

Hi Chatty,

I've just realised that with a serial port sniffer and also the new code that 4dsystems sent me, working out all the codes for different resolutions is quite easy. But without those tools, it is a bit tricky to work out what numbers to send. 

Chatty, what resolution do you want, and do you want jpeg or raw? I could then look up the codes for you and post some new code.

[chatty]

Hi Dr Acula,

I need 640x480 resolution with jpeg. Please let me know if you can figure this out.

Thanks,
Chatty

[Dr_Acula]

Just testing it now.

The Init command for a jpeg at 640x480 is
AA 01 00 07 09 07

Cheers, James Moxham

Sent commands in [ ] brackets, Rx bytes in < > brackets

Complete trace for a 640x480 jpeg. Package size of 200 (C8)
Even with a 555 one shot completely powering the board down after a while (and hence forcing a real reset) it is quite variable getting it to boot up and respond. I've found a timeout circuit is essential as it will sometimes get itself muddled and refuse to ever respond to synch commands and the only answer is to cycle the power supply.

Sync [AA 0D 00 00 00 00] Response missing
Sync failed, is uCam connected?
Sync [AA 0D 00 00 00 00] Response missing
Sync failed, is uCam connected?
Sync [AA 0D 00 00 00 00] Response missing
Sync failed, is uCam connected?
Sync [AA 0D 00 00 00 00] Response missing
Sync failed, is uCam connected?
Sync [AA 0D 00 00 00 00] Response missing
Sync failed, is uCam connected?
Sync [AA 0D 00 00 00 00] Response missing
Sync failed, is uCam connected?
Sync [AA 0D 00 00 00 00] Response missing
Sync failed, is uCam connected?
Sync [AA 0D 00 00 00 00] Response missing
Sync failed, is uCam connected?
Sync [AA 0D 00 00 00 00] Response missing
Sync failed, is uCam connected?
Sync [AA 0D 00 00 00 00] Response missing
Sync failed, is uCam connected?
Sync [AA 0D 00 00 00 00] Response missing
Sync failed, is uCam connected?
Sync [AA 0D 00 00 00 00] Response missing
Sync failed, is uCam connected?
Sync [AA 0D 00 00 00 00] Response missing
Sync failed, is uCam connected?
Sync [AA 0D 00 00 00 00]
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 00 00]
Initial [AA 01 00 07 09 07]
Set Pkg size [AA 06 08 C8 00 00]
Get Picture [AA 04 05 00 00 00]
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 00 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 01 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 02 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 03 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 04 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 05 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 06 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 07 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 08 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 09 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 0A 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 0B 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 0C 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 0D 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 0E 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 0F 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 10 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 11 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 12 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 13 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 14 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 15 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 16 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 17 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 18 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 19 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 1A 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 1B 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 1C 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 1D 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 1E 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 1F 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 20 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 21 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 22 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 23 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 24 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 25 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 26 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 27 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 28 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 29 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 2A 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 2B 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 2C 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 2D 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 2E 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 2F 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 30 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 31 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 32 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 33 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 34 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 35 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 36 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 37 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 38 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 39 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 3A 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 3B 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 3C 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 3D 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 3E 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 3F 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 40 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 41 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 42 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 43 00]
(Camera Data received)
ACK [AA 0E FF 00 44 00]
Image size =13088

[chatty]

Hi James,

is it working?

[Dr_Acula]

Yes, it is working in vb.net. Not in CP/M yet, and not sure why as the strings are identical, but I was testing on a day when it was 43C and maybe the RS232 timing was out or something. 

[LJavi]

Hello,
I'm using the uCamDemo application to understand better the uCam and use it after in my final application.
I succeeded to receive answer from the camera, after sending Sync command 25 times or so. My question for the moment could sound stupid, but, I don't find the Acknowledge command to the camera.
I received from the cammera Ack and Sync (which I see with a scope connected to TX of the camera), but I didn't find how to send Ack to continue with other commandas.
Can anyone help me?
Thanks

[LJavi]

No need help, I found the problem.
Thanks anyway.

[muktoshuvro]

Hello,
Can anyone tell me that is that my acknowledge is ok or not....

Serial port COM1 successfully reconfigured.
000aa
0000e
0000d
0000c

*****************************************
Data is successfully written.

Thanks
sabbir

[ESPsupport]

An acknowledge is 6 bytes. Assuming you are showing 4 bytes as words, what you have shown so far is part of a valid acknowledge.