Toshiba will release in September a $600 IP-addressable surveillance camera that runs embedded Linux and supports PoE (Power over Ethernet). The IK-WB02A network camera requires only a single cable to deliver both communications and power, resulting in better placement flexibility, lower installation costs, and other benefits.

The Toshiba IK-WB02A is compact and lightweight
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PoE, or 802.3af, is an international standard for power distribution in which DC power is routed through several unused wires in a standard Ethernet cable. PoE was popularized by wireless networking equipment meant to be installed on rooftops or antenna towers.

According to Toshiba, PoE also facilitates the use of an uninterruptible power supply with the camera, so that video monitoring can continue in the event of a power failure.

The IK-WB02A has a standard RJ-45 Ethernet port, and can be connected to a local network. The camera can stream JPEG video at claimed rates up to 30FPS. It supports 160×120, 320×240, and 640×480 resolutions. It provides an embedded web server, through which it can be remotely controlled. Two-way audio enables security professionals to see, hear, and communicate with a remote location. It also supports alarm functions and email alerts.

In addition to an Ethernet interface, the camera also includes a video-out interface for use in traditional analog CCTV (closed circuit TV) systems. And, a local SD card interface enables the camera to be used standalone.

The camera features a claimed 50dB signal-to-noise ratio for optimum performance with DVRs; 480TV line resolution; 1/3-inch CCD imaging sensor; low light performance down to 0.2 [email protected] with day/night imaging; and a wide dynamic range of 2,500K to 10,000K, according to Toshiba. The camera works with standard industrial mountings, enclosures, and C-mount lenses.

What's under the (lens) hood?

The IK-WB02A is based on an ARM7 core clocked at 80MHz. It boots from 4MB of Flash memory, and runs in 16MB of SDRAM.

I/O interfaces include:

• 10/100Mbps fast ethernet (RJ45)
• Audio in/out (mini-jack)
• Alarm in (terminal)
• NTSC Video output (BNC)
• SD memory socket
• Power terminal
• PoE

Software side

The camera runs a 2.4-series Linux kernel (probably uClinux), along with sh, a web server, ftp client and server, smtp software, ntp, and syslog.

A Toshiba spokesperson in Japan said the company hired a Linux consulting company to help build the SDK (software development kit) used by its software partners and system integrators. “The outside company was helpful, but not sufficient with all of our needs. Toshiba engineering was needed to bridge the gap from Unix to Linux.”

The Toshiba spokesperson added, “Toshiba sees that the demand for Linux in embedded products will be increased significantly. Linux application development is very important for the product's development.”

The IK-WB02A will be available in September, according to Toshiba, for an MSRP or $599, without lens or power supply.

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