SPI Camera for Any Microcontroller

Getting Started

Published in February 2022

by ARDUCAM TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED
Connecting the Camera to an Arduino UNO

Arducam Mega Camera Pinout

Camera pin VCC GND SCK MISO MOSI CE

Platform pin
Power Ground Clock Input Output Chip Select
def

Wiring
GND

9
8

7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
AREF

13
12

10
11

RX0
TX0

DIGITAL (PWM= )
ICSP2
L

TX ON
Arduino
TM

RX
1
ICSP

POWER ANALOG IN
RESET
IOREF

GND
GND
3V3

VIN
5V

A0

A1

A2

A3

A4

A5

Arducam
VCC GND SCK MISO MOSI CE
Mega

Arduino
5V GND 13 12 11 7
UNO

01
Operating the Camera

Select Platform

02
Operating the Camera

Choose the ArducamSpiCamera Example

03
Operating the Camera

Download program

Open The ArducamSpiCamera GUI Tool

Select the port number of Arduino UNO, set baud rate to 921600,
click open.

04
Operating the Camera

The camera is up and running.

NOTE
You can also use the Arducam Mega with other Arduino boards with
SPI interfaces, like Mega, Mega 2560, DUE, Nano 33 BLE, etc.

05
Platforms That Are Already in Our SDK

ESP32/ESP8266 >

Raspberry Pi Pico >

STMicroelectronics STM32 Series >

Texas Instruments MSP430 >

Raspberry Pi >

06
Platforms That Are Not Yet in Our SDK

NOTE
Connecting the Arducam Mega to any MCU you are familiar with is
super easy and simple, simple use the following resources:

Arducam Mega timing >

Wiring diagram of Arducam Mega >

How to write the SPI driver for your platform >

C API Reference >

C++ API Reference >

How to use the ArducamSpiCamera GUI tool >

07
Instructions for Safe Use

To properly use the Arducam Mega Camera, kindly

note:
Before connecting, you should always power the HOST MCU
off and remove the power supply first.
Make sure you connect the wires correctly.
Avoid high temperatures.
Avoid water, moisture, or conductive surfaces while in opera-
tion.
Avoid folding, or straining the flex cable.
Gently push/pull the connector to avoid damaging the printed
circuit board.
Avoid moving or handling the printed circuit board excessively
while it’s in operation.
Handle by the edges to avoid damages from electrostatic dis-
charge.
Where the camera board is stored should be cool and as dry
as possible.
Sudden temperature/humidity changes can cause dampness
in the lens and affect the image/video quality.

08