Aligning the SharpZ3 cameras - SharpZ3 | SharpOS 13.6

Each SharpZ3 camera unit installed on a patrol vehicle must be aligned according to its position on the vehicle and the ALPR camera lens focal length.

To align SharpZ3 cameras:

1. With the SharpZ3 cameras installed and connected to the base unit, park the patrol vehicle on a level surface. Leave enough space around the vehicle to install the target license plate at the required distances from the cameras.
2. Adjust the camera bracket roll so that the camera is parallel to the ground.
   

   A	Level to ground
   B	Not level to ground (body roll)
   C	Upside down

3. To find the mid-line of the vehicle roof, measure and mark the center point on the front and back of the roof with a grease pencil, then use tape to mark the mid-line.
   
4. Place your digital angle finder on the mid-line and set it to the pan angle for the camera according to the following table.
5. Extend the line using a straight line or string and set the pan angle of the SharpZ3 camera unit.
   
6. Using a laser distance tool or tape measure, find the correct target distance based on the camera focal length and enforcement scenario in the following table, then place the target at the correct distance from the camera unit.
   

   Camera lens	Pan angle	Target distance (small)1	Target distance (medium)1	Target distance (large)1
   University parking: Up to 40 km/h (25 mph); includes 90° parking
   8 mm	45° 2	1.80 m (5.89 ft)	2.00 m (6.57 ft)	2.20 m (7.21 ft)
   12 mm	41°	2.59 m (8.36 ft)	2.85 m (9.35 ft)	3.15 m (10.33 ft)
   Law enforcement: City
   8 mm	45° 2	1.85 m (5.90 ft)	2.05 m (6.73 ft)	2.25 m (7.37 ft)
   12 mm	37°	2.75 m (9.02 ft)	3.11 m (10.20 ft)	3.44 m (10.66 ft)
   Law enforcement: Highway
   12 mm	30°	2.79 m (9.16 ft) 3	3.16 m (10.37 ft) 3	3.52 m (11.55 ft) 3
   16 mm	24°	3.89 m (12.78 ft)	4.44 m (14.57 ft)	4.89 m (16.05 ft)
   25 mm	15°	6.01 m (19.70 ft)	6.88 m (22.56 ft)	7.80m (26.60 ft)
   Vehicle repossession: Up to 70 km/h (45 mph)
   8 mm	45°	1.85 m (5.90 ft)	2.05 m (6.73 ft)	2.25 m (7.37 ft)
   12 mm	37°	2.75 m (9.02 ft)	3.11 m (10.20 ft)	3.44 m (10.66 ft)
   16 mm	25°	3.85 m (12.63 ft)	4.39 m (14.42 ft)	4.84 m (15.88 ft)
   25 mm	16°	5.90 m (19.35 ft)	6.76 m (22.18 ft)	7.55 m (24.78 ft)

   ¹ Vehicle height:

   Small vehicle

   1.5 m (4.9 ft)

   Medium vehicle

   1.6 m (5.3 ft)

   Large vehicle

   1.7 m (5.6 ft)

   ² A pan of 45° using the 8 mm camera lens is the optimal configuration for parallel parking.

   ³ A 12 mm camera in this configuration can only read plates in the closest lane.

To align the SharpZ3 camera unit in the Sharp Portal:

1. In the Sharp Portal, navigate to the Dashboard > Camera feeds page.
2. Select the camera unit from the Camera unit menu.
3. From the Overlays menu, select Crosshairs.
   Crosshairs are displayed on the video feed.
4. Adjust the SharpZ3 camera unit vertical tilt until the crosshairs in the camera feed meet the crosshairs on the center of the target license plate.