Camera architecture in Tellucare

This guide explains how cameras work in Tellucare, making it easier to understand and troubleshoot any issues.

Key Components

1. The camera

• Must be properly installed, configured, and connected to the internet

• Can be powered and connected through:

  • PoE (Power over Ethernet) for best results

  • WiFi using a dongle, connected to a router (mobile or fixed)

2. Internet connection

• The most important factor for success

• Needs to be reliable and of good quality

• Fixed internet connections usually work best

• Mobile networks can work well but depend on the location

3. End user devices

• Tellucare can be used on computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices

• These devices need a good internet connection for:

  • Smooth start of the camera stream

  • Low delay in the video

  • Uninterrupted viewing

4. Video Management Server (VMS)

• We use a system called Morphean

• The camera connects to this server using a secure VPN connection

• This connection allows the server to start the video stream when requested

5. Tellucare backend

• Runs on Microsoft Azure cloud services

• Very reliable with a 99.5% uptime guarantee

• The camera maintains a constant connection (MQTT) to this backend

• This connection allows Tellucare to communicate with the camera

How it all works together

1. The camera connects to both the VMS and Tellucare backend

2. When you want to view the camera feed, your device asks Tellucare for access

3. Tellucare communicates with the VMS to start the video stream

4. The video is then sent to your device through the internet

Potential issues and what they mean

Delayed heartbeats

• Heartbeats are regular signals sent from the camera to Tellucare

• If they're delayed, it might mean an unstable connection

• This could lead to problems with the video stream

No heartbeats

• Usually means the camera is disconnected or turned off

• In rare cases, it could mean the heartbeat feature is switched off, but the camera still works

Unstable mobile network

• If a mobile network is unreliable in a specific location, it usually stays that way

• Solutions might include:

  • Trying a different router or antennas

  • Switching to a different mobile operator

  • Moving the camera setup

  • Using a different type of internet connection (like WiFi or fiber)

Public internet issues

• All components (cameras, your devices, Tellucare systems) use the public internet to communicate

• Sometimes, problems with the public internet can affect the service

Conclusion

While there are many technical parts involved, the key to a well-functioning Tellucare camera system is a reliable internet connection, both for the camera and for your viewing devices. If you encounter issues, checking the internet connection is often the best place to start.