MerlynCAM

MerlynCAM

https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/a9457055-48cb-43b0-b4a9-4c273cf0078e

https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/13ca98ed-bc15-4bd0-ae74-1581ccfe5670

Introduction

This project was made possible thanks the reverse engineering efforts done by the OpenIPC team! You can check out their supported hardware here: https://openipc.org/supported-hardware/featured and the reference project here: https://oshwlab.com/oshwhub.com/openipc-vtx-ssc338q-30kq

This is my custom action camera, the MerlynCAM! This project was made to record HD footage on my FPV drones. It records video at 1080p@90, 1440p@60 and 4k@20. It also includes a BMI270 gyro to log motion data at 150Hz for Gyroflow video stabilization, and an ICS-43434 I2S microphone to capture propeller noise for the viewer's immersion.

The MerlynCAM is powered by the Sigmastar SSC338Q SOC. It is easy to use and includes a low power microcontroller onboard to manage the LED indicators, buttons, and power saving modes. There is only one button used for powering the camera on and off and starting and stopping recordings. The microcontroller handles the rest of the quality of life features in the background, such as battery level monitoring and auto power on when external voltage is detected in FPV mode. It also has an internal 1S battery with a BQ25606 charging circuit, so it can be used like a normal action cam or with the batteries removed to save weight on a drone.

User Guide

The MerlynCAM is operated using a single button and it shows charge status and battery levels using a White LED

Power & Recording Control

• Power On: Press the button once, then press and hold for 2 seconds. The White LED will blink rapidly while holding, then turn solid to indicate it is booting. Release the button afterwards.

[!TIP] The camera will refuse to power on if the battery is below 5%

• Power Off: Press and hold the button for 4 seconds. The White LED will blink rapidly after 2 seconds, then blink twice and turn off.

• Start/Stop Recording: While the camera is powered on, hold the button for 1 second to start recording. Hold for 1 second again to stop recording.

Battery Level Checking

While powered off, press the button once. The White LED will blink to indicate the current charge level:

• >95%: 4 normal blinks + 3 rapid blinks

• 80-95% 4 blinks

• 60-79%: 3 blinks

• 40-59%: 2 blinks

• 20-39%: 1 blink

• < 5%: 3 rapid blinks

Passive Indicator

• Charging: The white LED will pulse slowly while charging. Once fully charged, it will remain solid until the power is disconnected

• Battery Status: The White LED automatically flashes the current battery percentage every 3.5 seconds

[!IMPORTANT] Bridge the CHRG pad on the PCB if no battery is connected. This is necessary for the battery management IC to output a stable voltage on external power.

Hardware Specifications

• SOC: Sigmastar SSC338Q
• Camera Interface: 30 pin mezzanine connector (compatible with Orange Pi 5)
• IMU: BMI270 @ I2C
• Microphone: ICS-43434 @ I2S
• Storage: Micro SD Card slot + W25Q128JVSIQ 16MB NOR Flash
• Power Management & User Interface: CH32V003F4U6
• Battery Management: BQ25606
• Power Supply: TPS63802 buck boost (3.3V), RT8097CHGE buck (1.0V and 1.5V), RT9193-18GB LDO (1.8V)

Hardware Overview

[!WARNING] When ordering from JLCPCB, make sure to enable impedance control and use the JLC04161H-3313 Stackup

Firmware

Because the SSC338Q is a proprietary chip, it must run the OpenIPC linux environment. Building the firmware requires a linux filesystem (Windows isn't supported)

[!WARNING] At least 20GB of free space is required to build OpenIPC

How to build the firmware (SSC338Q)

1. Clone the OpenIPC firmware repository
2. Run make and select the infinity6e architecture on the TUI.
3. Navigate to output/build/linux-custom/arch/arm/boot/dts/ and replace infinity6e-ssc012b-s01a.dts with infinity6e-ssc012b-s01a.dts.
4. Run make linux-rebuild to update the custom DTS changes into the kernel.
5. Navigate to output/build/images and extract openipc.ssc338q-nand-ultimate.tgz by entering tar -xzf openipc.ssc338q-nand-ultimate.tgz
6. Navigate to ssc338q-nand-ultimate and enter the command in your terminal dd if=uImage.ssc338q of=openipc-ssc338q-nor-ultimate-16mb.bin bs=1K seek=384 conv=notrunc and the binary file should appear

How to build the firmware (CH32V003)

1. Clone this repository and enter the directory cd MerlynCAM
2. Open the /firmware/source/powerManagement/powerManagement.ino file in ArduinoIDE
3. Paste https://alexandermandera.github.io/arduino-wch32v003/package_ch32v003_index.json into File > Preferences > Additional boards manager URLs
4. Go to boards manager and install WCH Boards by Alexander Mandera
5. Click the upload button or Sketch > Export Compiled Binary

How to flash the firmware (SSC338Q)

The W25Q128 16MB flash chip comes blank from the factory and the openIPC bootloader must be flashed before the operating system is able to boot.

1. Connect the CH341A USB programmer or a makeshift Arduino programmer to flash the binary file to the W25Q128 flash chip. The file can be obtained in firmware/binaries/(SSC338Q)openipc-nor-ultimate-16mb.bin or the OpenIPC repository or compiled locally.

How to flash the firmware (CH32V003)

1. Connect the WCH Link USB adapter to the SWDIO test point
2. Connect the USB C port. The MerlynCAM PCB and WCH Link USB adapter must share common ground (e.g. connected to the same laptop)
3. If compiling locally, press the upload button in Arduino IDE. Or use WCH-LinkUtility if flashing the pre compile binary in powerManagement.bin

Assembly

Component List

• Shell:
  • case.stl
  • lid.stl
  • button.stl
• PCB:
  • MerlynCAM.zip
• Camera: IMX415 camera module for Orange Pi 5 + 30P MIPI cable
• Fasteners:
  • 8x M2 6mm Self Tapping Screws
  • 4x M2 4mm Self Tapping Screws
• Battery: Generic 500mAh LiPo battery
• SD Card: Generic micro SD Card

Assembly Instructions

1. Place IMX415 camera module in the case and secure with 4x 6mm Self Tapping Screws.

2. Insert button with the hole side facing up.

3. Solder the battery wires to designated pads and place the battery and PCB into the case. Route the MIPI cable through the recess of the case wall and connect to the mezzanine connector.

4. Secure the PCB to the case with 4x 6mm Self Tapping Screws.

5. Put on the case lid and secure with 4x 4mm Self Tapping Screws.

Bill of Material

Note: The prices in USD are converted as of 1 September 2026 and may fluctuate. The costs of separate components are cheaper than JLCPCB assembly.

Grand Total: $117.41