BaseCam SimpleBGC 32-bit

The BaseCam SimpleBGC 32-bit controller is used for the construction of high-quality 3-axis camera stabilizing systems. This board is deployed in handheld and boom-mounted cameras in many systems available worldwide.  There is increasingly also use in aerial vehicles (UAV's).  With its 32-bit ARM processor, the board possesses enough power for any practical level of complexity for algorithms, and together with premium MEMS gyros it uses high-efficiency FETS which gives it enough power to drive most cinema-grade equipment when properly configured, yet at just 22grams for the board itself it is small enough to fit into just about any application. For micro vehicles and single-handed applications or anyplace space is limited there is also a smaller version of this same board (see SimpleBGC 32-bit Tiny board for more information). The smaller board is very similar- with all of the same functionality in an even smaller package.

This version of the controller (and the new Tiny 32-bit board) is our new direction in the development of stabilizing solutions. It replaces the previous 8-bit version of the SimpleBGC controller keeping 100% backward compatibility for users replacing an older controller with this one who needs all of the functionality of the old controller to be the same in the new controller (in order to fit into the existing system with a minimum of effort).  In addition, the management software is backward compatible, so it is possible (or likely) that users of older 8-bit controllers are using the newest version of the management software.

Capabilities

Possibility to manage the system on different platforms
Desktop systems: Windows, macOS, Linux. The firmware of the controller is user-upgradeable (through the GUI).
Smartphones: Android and some control from 3rd party vendors for Apple's iOS product (iPhone and iPad).

Open Serial API
Open programming interface for development of external control modules — both for software configuration and control of the board and for communication with various electronic devices.

Automatic tuning of PID parameters
Automatic tuning of PID parameters allows you to quickly prepare the system for work either at the initial settings or at changed conditions.

Support of systems with various hardware configurations
Flexible customization of the sensor orientation.
Support for a wide range of motors of various configurations and sizes.
Support several configurations of motor orders, including configurations with the tilted motor axes.

Support for two IMU sensors and external IMU for maximum precision
The system works with either one or two IMU sensors. The use of two sensors improves stability and accuracy in the non-encoder version.
Optional connection of a MavLink-enabled auto-pilot extends precision for demanding applications

Support for a wide range of absolute encoders
Installing an encoder on each motor greatly improves system performance and extends the range of applications

Different algorithms of follow mode
Flexible configuration of the following mode for each axis.  Automatic switching of horizon axis mode from lock to follow in case of persistent camera tilt.

Up to five user-configurable modes of system operation selectable with a toggle button
5 profiles grouped in 5 profile sets allows  changing modes of operation or even hardware configurations on-the-fly

Support of a wide range of external control protocols
Futaba, Spektrum, 5x PWM, Sum-PPM, 3 ADC, Serial API
Flexible configuration allows for control of any functions of the system (every parameter that the system uses is configurable).

Battery voltage drop compensation
Battery voltage drop compensation ensures proper control of the drive motors during the whole life of the battery.

Different versions of the controllers for different needs
The licensing system allowed our partners to launch different versions of controllers for a wide range of applications: from compact controllers for stabilizers of light cameras to powerful ones for the stabilization of heavy units.

Ongoing work to improve the system
BaseCam Electronics is working closely with the developers of end devices, which allows us, on the basis of feedback,  to continuously improve the stabilization algorithms and expand the capabilities of the system within a single version of the controller.

The kit includes:

• SimpleBGC 32bit Regular main bord – 1 pc
• Motor 30 cm wires – 3 pcs
• Battery 20 cm wire – 1 pc
• Ferrite coils 10-15 mm diameter, 3-5 mm thickness – 3 pcs
• I2C IMU sensor board – 1 pc
• I2C IMU 50 cm wire – 1 pc
• Buzzer + 5V – 1 pc
• Encoder license (encoder enabled and regular firmwares included)