[Nexus 7 General] bigbop:
Hi Folks,

I have created this thread to both discuss the possibility of and working to add back, the original 5MP rear camera to the Asus nexus 7 tablet that Google had Asus remove from the retail device.

This is essentially a continuation of the posts I started in the Asus ME370T Schematics thread .

This is what I've done so far:

- Purchased a Nexus 7 with a cracked touch surface as my hardware hacking device. It works with a usb mouse just great :laugh:

- Purchased a used Asus TF-101 5MP rear camera module from Ebay

- Studied the Nexus schematics (available here) and created small schematic sub-sheets specifically for the camera and power circuits

- Inspected both the camera module pins and the rear CON3 connector pins on the Nexus PCB - they match 100% electrically

- Recovered a connector from an old DVD drive for installation at CON3 - (Newark wants $15 S&H for a $2 part)

What needs to be done next:

- Remove the shields from the Nexus PCB and determine if there are any surface mount components that are missing that will prevent the rear camera from working.

- If parts are missing - use the available schematics (Nexus and other) to make an educated guess of what parts are missing and install them.

- Check the system logs to see how the front camera shows up when detected.

- Install the connector at CON3

- Boot the device and verify the front camera still works

- Install and verify the camera module is seated properly and there is a proper electrical connection to CON3.

- Boot up the unit and check the system logs to see if the rear camera is detected.

- Determine if the front camera still works.

At this point, since there is no driver for a rear camera in the Nexus 7, I will need to find the driver for it from the TF-101 ICS or JB ROM in addition to determining what configuration files need to be modified/created.

These are the schematics and photos I have so far and have attached below:

-rear camera (CON3) pinouts, camera power circuits, picture showing the TF-101 5MP module beside CON3, front camera pinouts

Please note

- I am NOT willing to modify any on else's Nexus if this works. I'm in Canada and it's too much of a hassle (and expensive) to ship stuff around up here. Besides, the front glass is just too fragile on these devices.

- This project is

not

for the weekend experimenter - I use a microscope and special soldering equipment when working on devices like this. If all you have is a solder gun/pencil, this project is not for you.

- I make no representations of fitness for any particular use and if you attempt to 'play' or modify your Nexus 7 following any details provided in this thread, you will be totally responsible for everything (good or bad) that happens to your device. That is why I purchased a partially broken device ($50 on Ebay) specifically to play with.

So, who IS this project for?

- It's for all the experienced hardware hackers out there who are able to work with devices like the Nexus 7 without destroying anything and want to 'play' with their toys!

- It's also for any software types who would be happy to help with the driver and config files to get a rear camera functional. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated. I'm a hardware guy - always have been - always will be.

The Camera Module:

The current REAR camera module as specified in the schematics is an OV5650. There has been some talk of using an OV5640 or OV5642. The FRONT camera module is an Aptina 1040.

The issue with this is the modules need to have the exact same electrical pinout as CON3. Maybe someone can find a source for replacement TF-101 rear camera modules out of Asia?

There was also some talk of the front 1.2MP camera using the same electrical (MIPI) interface with 24pins but having a different pin assignment for the data lines. If that's the case, then theoretically, one should be able to re-wire an additional front camera to CON3 and you should be able to use both.

Another item of note is the camera configuration file in /system. It appears that one of the directives in addition to 'front' & 'rear' is 'USB'.

Does that mean with the

right driver, USB camera and OTG connector

we can use external cameras with the Nexus 7?

If indeed we can, then we don't need to hack CON3 and instead, use an external high-res USB camera.

Unfortunately, the device uses USB v2.0 so an external camera would probably suffer from a slow frame rate - or would it?

This is what this thread is about - playing with the Nexus 7 to add either a rear camera internally or externally.

Comments? Questions? Additions? Drivers?