Simple Camera Trigger - v4
Introduction
In the previous version, I’ve completed the “simple camera trigger” project in a Breadboard. As my intention of this project is using it in the real field (I mean, the real real field), outside in a mountain, to make this timelapse for my camera, I should make a solution more “industrial”.
Also, in the Arduino To Breadboard entry, I’ve learned to rid of the Arduino and using only the processor, the Atmega328p.
So, this version will improve the version 3 with the same components to put it in a Prototype PCB.
List of components
- 7-segment display
- 3 x pushbuton
- 1 x Atmega328p
- 1 x 16 MHz crystal or 8Mhz if it is your option.
- 2 x 18 to 22 pF (ceramic) capacitors for the external clock
- 5 x 0.1uF capacitor for regulator and RST line
- 1 x Led IR
- 1 x L7805 voltage regulator
- 9 x 220 ohms resistor (Display and led ir)
- 4 x 10k resistor (buttons and atmega reset)
- Battery 9V
- Straight pin male
Connector with battery suggestion
Schematic
Before continue, I’ve discovered a tool very useful for someone with zero knowledge of electronics (But also helps me if I forget to put something, or, why I should use this capacitor…)
The tool is the web designer from circuito.io
You only have to drag and drop the main components you want to use it, and the tool is going to:
- Connect all the components with the respective pins (and with his pinout proposal for the atmega)
- Generate the real electronic schematic with “Go to pro” option.
- Generate the example code for using this components.
Brief, if in this project I want to use a Atmega328p, 7-segements display, 3 buttons and IR Led, I have to place this 4 kind of components, and the tool is going to tell me what are all the connexion!
Sure, it is not perfect, but it give to you an idea about what you want.
PCB
As I didn’t design the PCB schematic, I put all my components in a prototype PCB and I’ve started soldering everything. It is not the best solution if you want something more structural and with less cables, but if you have a project with a few components, it could be enough.
| PCB Front | PCB Back |
|---|---|
 |
 |
Software
I did a state machine to change between the configuration of timing and the trigger operation.
Also, as I wanted to configure more than 9 seconds, I’ve use the same display to configure the 3 digits in seconds for the timing (So, up to 999 seconds)
The display and the camera are in different classes.
You can see all of the code from my github
Final Result
You could manufacture your own box if you want to carry this remote control outside
… or buy one. You saw the results. And there are hundreds of boxes.