RealSense Pipeline Start Error with Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board

Issue Overview

Users of the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board are experiencing an error when attempting to start the RealSense pipeline using GStreamer. The specific error occurs when running the command gst-launch-1.0 -v -m realsensesrc ! videoconvert ! autovideosink. The pipeline fails to start, resulting in a "RealSense error calling rs2_pipeline_start_with_config" message. This issue prevents users from successfully utilizing the RealSense camera with their Jetson Orin Nano Dev board, impacting their ability to capture and process video data.

Possible Causes

1. USB Cable Incompatibility: The most likely cause of this issue is the use of an incompatible or low-quality USB cable. RealSense cameras often require specific cable specifications to function properly.

2. Driver Issues: There could be conflicts or incompatibilities between the RealSense drivers and the Jetson Orin Nano’s software environment.

3. GStreamer Plugin Configuration: The RealSense GStreamer plugin might not be correctly configured or recognized by the system.

4. Hardware Compatibility: There could be a potential incompatibility between the specific RealSense camera model and the Jetson Orin Nano Dev board.

5. Power Supply Issues: Insufficient power delivery to the RealSense camera could prevent it from initializing properly.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Use the Official RealSense USB Cable:

   • Replace your current USB cable with the one provided with the RealSense camera.
   • If you don’t have the original cable, use a high-quality USB 3.0 cable that meets the RealSense camera’s specifications.

2. Verify GStreamer Plugin Installation:

   • Confirm that the RealSense GStreamer plugin is correctly installed by running:

     gst-inspect-1.0 build/src/libgstrealsensesrc.so
     

   • Ensure that the output shows the plugin details, including the RealsenseSrc element.

3. Check RealSense SDK Installation:

   • Verify that the RealSense SDK is properly installed on your Jetson Orin Nano.
   • If not, install or reinstall the SDK following the official Intel RealSense documentation for NVIDIA Jetson platforms.

4. Update System and Drivers:

   • Ensure your Jetson Orin Nano is running the latest JetPack version.
   • Update all system packages:

     sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
     

   • Check for any available RealSense firmware updates and apply them if necessary.

5. Test with Different RealSense Camera Models:

   • If possible, try using a different RealSense camera model to isolate whether the issue is specific to your camera or a general compatibility problem.

6. Verify Power Supply:

   • Ensure that your Jetson Orin Nano Dev board is receiving adequate power.
   • Try connecting the RealSense camera to a powered USB hub to rule out power delivery issues.

7. Debug GStreamer Pipeline:

   • Run the GStreamer pipeline with additional debug information:

     GST_DEBUG=3 gst-launch-1.0 -v -m realsensesrc ! videoconvert ! autovideosink
     

   • Analyze the output for more detailed error messages or warnings.

8. Check USB Port and Connections:

   • Try different USB ports on your Jetson Orin Nano Dev board.
   • Ensure that all connections are secure and that there’s no physical damage to the ports or cables.

9. Rebuild RealSense GStreamer Plugin:

   • If you built the plugin from source, try rebuilding it:

     cd /path/to/realsense-gstreamer
     mkdir build && cd build
     cmake .. && make
     

   • After rebuilding, reinstall the plugin and test again.

10. Community Support:

    • If the issue persists, consider reaching out to the NVIDIA Developer Forums or the Intel RealSense community for additional support.
    • Provide detailed information about your setup, including the exact RealSense camera model, Jetson Orin Nano Dev board version, and JetPack version.

By following these troubleshooting steps, users should be able to resolve the RealSense pipeline start error on their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board. If the problem continues after trying these solutions, it may indicate a more complex compatibility issue that requires further investigation or support from NVIDIA or Intel.