YUASA CO., LTD.

Conventional weather cameras sent a video signal from the camera atop a pole to a ground device via coaxial cable wound along the pole, and that signal was sent to the broadcast station. In addition, commands to control the video camera operation (start/stop) and direction (rotation/angle of elevation) were sent by communication line from the broadcast station to the camera atop a pole via control signal cable. A proprietary controller was created to raise and lower the pole and control the rotation and angle unit, but consideration was given to upgrading the system to handle digital content as a web camera, remote operation, and status monitoring. The slim embedded computer BX-100n from Contec meets these needs by having full capability of providing data communication, control, and image processing while being able to be installed in locations with limited space.
The BX-100n has a small footprint (W182 x D270 x H35 mm) with a thickness of only 35 mm and built-in LAN functions as well as both analog and digital input and output.。 This highly reliable industrial computer has a fanless, disk-free enclosed design (using a CF card) and doesn't require maintenance, making it ideal for installation in remote, unmanned locations.

Main features of weather camera pole system:

• A compact HDTV network camera can be mounted atop a pole for capturing high-definition images.
• Uses video compression technology for efficiently transmitting video images with low data volume and without delay.
• The unit used to raise and lower the pole and control rotation and angle enables remote operation of camera direction (up/down/left/right) and video control via the Internet.
• Uses wireless LAN (Contec FX-DS540 series) to download images for cable-free operation.
• Pole upper control box is equipped with a battery, thereby eliminating routing of a power line.
• Equipped with a solar power panel to automatically charge when the pole is retracted during the daytime. (It can also charge from AC100V as a backup power source).
• Enables status monitoring via the Internet. Alerts are sent by email when a facility malfunction occurs.
• A fan and heater are installed in the pole upper control box and ground control panel to deal with temperature and humidity in outdoor installations.

The live on-site video and audio you see and hear from TV reporters is sent by radio wave from an antenna on the relay truck to the broadcast station. It is key that the antenna be quickly and accurately pointed toward the broadcast station. Taking time to adjust the antenna can result in the on-site relay not connecting and missing important video.
The "automatic repositioning system" that is being developed uses the BX-100n to automate remote control operations that were conventionally performed manually. The position of the relay truck is determined by GPS, its direction is detected by gyro position sensors, and calculations are performed, enabling control of the rotation unit and quick and accurate repositioning of the antenna to face the broadcast station. The relay truck has a lot of equipment and limited space. Conventionally, a dedicated controller was used to hydraulically raise and lower the pole and jack that secures the vehicle, but with the BX-100n, a system was realized using nearly the same size.