Use 4 MIPI Problem

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties when attempting to run a command for capturing video from multiple MIPI cameras on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board. The command used is:

gst-launch-1.0 nvarguscamerasrc sensor-id=1 ! video/x-raw(memory:NVMM), width=1024, height=1024, framerate=20/1 ! nvvidconv flip-method=0 ! videoconvert ! video/x-raw, format=BGR ! appsink name=sink

Upon execution, the following errors are logged:

• Warnings regarding the inability to map modules to ISP config strings.
• Messages indicating that no module data was found.
• Errors stating that the NVIDIA Camera virtual enumerator is not found in the device tree.
• Timeouts and other errors related to camera events.

The issue appears to occur consistently when attempting to use four MIPI cameras in a single session, as the current SDK version reportedly supports only three cameras per session. This limitation significantly impacts user experience, particularly for those who have designed hardware expecting support for four cameras.

Possible Causes

1. Hardware Limitations: The current version of the SDK may only support a maximum of three cameras in a single session, which could lead to errors when attempting to use four cameras.
2. Software Bugs: There may be unresolved bugs within the Nvidia Jetson software stack that affect camera initialization and management.
3. Configuration Errors: Incorrect configuration settings or parameters in the command could lead to failures in recognizing or initializing additional cameras.
4. Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers could prevent proper communication between the software and hardware components.
5. Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or temperature constraints could affect camera performance and lead to timeouts.
6. User Misconfigurations: Users may inadvertently misconfigure settings or parameters necessary for successful camera operation.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify SDK Version:

   • Check if you are using a compatible version of the SDK that supports multiple camera sessions.
   • Command to check SDK version:

     cat /etc/nv_tegra_release
     

2. Reduce Camera Count:

   • Temporarily reduce the number of connected cameras to three and test if the command executes successfully.

3. Update Drivers and Firmware:

   • Ensure all drivers and firmware are up-to-date. Use the Nvidia SDK Manager for updates.

4. Check Camera Connections:

   • Verify that all MIPI camera connections are secure and correctly oriented. Use known working cables and configurations.

5. Modify Command Parameters:

   • Experiment with different configurations in your gst-launch command, such as changing resolution or framerate settings.

6. Power Supply Check:

   • Confirm that your power supply is adequate for running multiple cameras simultaneously.

7. Isolation Testing:

   • Test each camera individually with the command to ensure they function correctly on their own.

8. Consult Documentation:

   • Review Nvidia’s official documentation for any notes on camera support limitations or specific configurations needed for multi-camera setups.

9. Community Support:

   • Engage with community forums for similar issues and solutions shared by other users who have faced this problem.

10. Future Prevention:

    • Keep abreast of updates from Nvidia regarding SDK capabilities and limitations concerning multi-camera setups.

If multiple users have reported success by reducing the number of cameras to three, this should be highlighted as a recommended approach until further updates from Nvidia address the limitation for four cameras in a single session.