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I want to use the ESP32-CAM as a sun sensor, the problem is that I would need to remove the lenses in order to put a membrane with a pinhole (like it's illustrated in the image) upon the CMOS, but I want to know first, will this make unoperable the OV2640? I want it to be working fine without the lenses, the second image is an illustrative of what I want to do. Fig.1

Fig.2

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  • what is preventing you from determining the results experimentally?
    – jsotola
    Commented Jun 10, 2023 at 22:42
  • It is a bit expensive here in Mexico, 227.00 pesos (13.14 USD), so I only have one shot to buy it, I know It may not be that expensive in other currencies, but here is like a week worth of food haha, so that's why... I dont want anyone to make the experiment and possibly hurt their ESP32-cam, I just would like to know If someone has tried it.
    – Jogarama
    Commented Jun 10, 2023 at 22:56
  • that is a very good reason for not determining the results experimentally
    – jsotola
    Commented Jun 10, 2023 at 23:15
  • what exactly are you trying to do? ... what does the sun sensor measure?
    – jsotola
    Commented Jun 11, 2023 at 1:53
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    I want to measure the azimuth and elevation angle, thanks to the incident angle of the sun!
    – Jogarama
    Commented Jun 11, 2023 at 3:52

1 Answer 1

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Consider using the ESP32-CAM as is. Instead use a pin hole camera box. Put the ESP32-CAM inside the box pointing it at the image of the sun at the back of the box. This approach mitigates problems associated with exposing the sensor to the elements and direct exposure to sun light.

In order to measure azimuth and elevation, consider mounting the device such that it points directly up from the surface of the earth. And such that it is aligned to true North. Consider using an accelerometer to detect the device is normal to the surface of the earth. And a magnetometer to detect magnetic north. And a GPS receiver to detect the position on earth. Combine the GPS data with World Magnetic Model (WMM) data to correct for magnetic declination.

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  • Yeah!! I thought of that, but I think that the aperture diameter of the camera already kinda serves as a pinhole, what I want to do is to have oportunity to make it myself so I will have the possibility of control the values that I want, like the FoV for example.
    – Jogarama
    Commented Jun 10, 2023 at 23:58
  • Unless you find someone who has done this, you are asking for opinions which stack exchange is not equipped to handle. You added that you need azimuth and elevation. You will need to add a tilt compass in order to get azimuth and elevation. I'll add that to the answer.
    – st2000
    Commented Jun 11, 2023 at 13:46
  • That is a good idea, Im going to consider it, thanks!!
    – Jogarama
    Commented Jun 11, 2023 at 19:59
  • I am not sure how you would do this, but I believe that a SHARP distance measurement sensor has a linear optical sensor. So it may be possible to modify 2 of these to measure the angle of the sun along the north south axis and along the east west axis. Again, not sure how you would do this. But these sensors my be less expensive to experiment with.
    – st2000
    Commented Jun 12, 2023 at 12:18

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