Orin Nano and tc358743 Capture Issue

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing the error message "vi_capture_control_message: NULL VI channel received" when attempting to capture video from tc358743 devices connected to the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano on the Xavier NX DevKit. This issue occurs during video capture operations, specifically when executing commands intended to stream video data. The software environment includes JetPack 5.1.2 and L4T 35.4.1, as indicated by the system release information:

• OS Version: L4T 35.4.1
• Kernel Version: 5.10.120-tegra

The error appears consistently across attempts, indicating a potential configuration or compatibility issue with the hardware setup. The impact on user experience is significant, as it prevents successful video capture, which is critical for applications relying on visual input.

Possible Causes

1. Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: The tc358743 camera interface may not be fully compatible with the Orin Nano platform, leading to communication failures.

2. Software Bugs or Conflicts: There may be unresolved bugs in the JetPack version being used, particularly related to camera drivers or video input handling.

3. Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings in the video capture commands or device configurations could lead to failure in establishing a valid video input channel.

4. Driver Issues: The installed drivers for the tc358743 may not be functioning correctly or might require updates to resolve known issues.

5. Environmental Factors: Power supply inconsistencies or temperature issues could affect device performance and stability.

6. User Errors or Misconfigurations: Users might be misconfiguring the capture commands or failing to initialize the devices correctly.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify Hardware Connections:

   • Ensure that all physical connections between the Orin Nano and tc358743 devices are secure and correctly configured.
   • Check for any visible damage to connectors or cables.

2. Check Kernel Messages:

   • Use dmesg to review kernel messages for additional error details:

     dmesg | grep vi_capture_control_message
     

3. Update Software and Drivers:

   • Ensure that you are using the latest version of JetPack and related drivers:
     • Check for updates in SDK Manager.
     • Apply any relevant patches or bug fixes mentioned in forum discussions (e.g., addressing camera bugs for JP-5.1.2).

4. Modify Video Capture Command:

   • Review and modify your video capture command to ensure it matches expected parameters:

     v4l2-ctl --device /dev/video0 --stream-mmap --set-fmt-video=width=1280,height=720,pixelformat=UYVY --stream-to=frame.raw --stream-count=10 --verbose
     

5. Test with Different Configurations:

   • Experiment with different resolutions and pixel formats in your capture command.
   • Attempt to use a different camera if available to isolate whether the issue is specific to the tc358743.

6. Consult Documentation:

   • Refer to Nvidia’s official documentation for guidance on configuring video devices and troubleshooting common issues related to video input.

7. Check PHY Interrupts:

   • Investigate PHY interrupt statuses reported in dmesg logs, as they may indicate underlying issues with data synchronization or calibration failures.
   • Consider running diagnostic commands that can provide insights into PHY status.

8. Reflash Device Firmware:

   • If issues persist, consider reflashing the device firmware using the appropriate flash commands:

     sudo ./flash.sh --no-flash -r -k A_rce-fw jetson-agx-orin-devkit mmcblk0p1
     

   • Ensure that you are using correct board configuration parameters during flashing.

9. Review Community Feedback:

   • Engage with community forums and threads discussing similar issues; users have reported success by applying specific fixes or workarounds shared by others.

10. Monitor System Performance:

    • Keep an eye on system performance metrics during operation to identify any abnormal behavior that could indicate resource constraints or overheating.

11. Unresolved Aspects:

    • Some users have noted unresolved questions regarding the meaning of specific PHY interrupt statuses; further investigation into these terms may be necessary for complete diagnostics.
    • It may also be beneficial to wait for future JetPack releases that could address existing bugs more comprehensively.

By following these steps, users should be able to diagnose and potentially resolve the capture issue with their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano setup effectively.