Here is a computing hobby project I am considering putting together. The objective is to clamp the device to the top of a tree somewhere with good exposure to sunlight, and to establish a line of sight network connection to the device to view and/or control its camera. Think of it as a mini ground-mounted spy satellite.
Hardware Components:
- A low-power laptop computer with the Screen disabled
- Considering the Aleutia T1 Fanless PC ($400 w 30GB SSD overkill)
- 2x Directional WiFi antenna for both the device itself as well as the base station
- Considering some sort of Cantenna
- Camera with remotely operated zoom capabilities
- Considering 10 watt Toshiba PTZ camera which is $895, Wouldn’t need the PC then, just a wifi to ethernet bridge
- Some sort of weatherized housing for these components
- Will need to survive 90+ MPH winds, Rain
- Outdoor Housing for Toshiba Camera
- Solar Panel to charge the laptop battery
- A bracket / clamp to mount all of this to a treetop
Software Components:
- Ability to suspend the machine when battery levels are low, or at night, and for it to automatically start when there is sufficient power
- Remote camera streaming software to view video and control the camera remotely in real time