Camera Streaming Not Working on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties with camera streaming on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano development board, specifically when attempting to utilize the v4l2-ctl command to stream video from a connected camera. The symptoms include failure to obtain a RAW10 output from the camera, as indicated by debug logs that show the camera channel being opened and powered but not successfully streaming data. The issue arises primarily during the setup phase of the camera streaming process, with users reporting that despite following setup instructions, they receive no valid data from the sensor. The problem seems to occur consistently across various configurations and hardware setups involving the SP5508 camera module.

Relevant hardware specifications include:

• Jetson Orin Nano Development Kit
• SP5508 camera sensor connected via CAM1 slot
• Various configurations tested, including different pixel clock settings

The impact of this issue is significant, as it prevents users from utilizing the camera for applications requiring live video feeds, thereby affecting overall functionality and user experience.

Possible Causes

1. Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: The SP5508 sensor may not be fully compatible with the Orin Nano’s hardware or may have defects preventing proper communication.
2. Software Bugs or Conflicts: There could be unresolved bugs in the software stack or conflicts with other drivers that interfere with camera operation.
3. Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings in the device tree or improper initialization of parameters such as pixel clock frequency can lead to failures in establishing a stream.
4. Driver Issues: Outdated or incorrect drivers may fail to support the required functionalities for streaming video from the camera.
5. Environmental Factors: Issues such as insufficient power supply or overheating could affect performance.
6. User Errors or Misconfigurations: Users might overlook critical configuration steps or input incorrect parameters when setting up their cameras.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify Camera Connection:

   • Ensure that the camera is properly connected to the CAM1 slot of the Orin Nano development kit.

2. Check Device Recognition:

   • Run ls -al /dev/video* to confirm if the camera device is recognized by the system.

3. Review Debug Logs:

   • Enable detailed logging by executing:

     sudo su
     modprobe rtcpu_debug
     echo 1 > /sys/kernel/debug/tracing/tracing_on
     echo 30720 > /sys/kernel/debug/tracing/buffer_size_kb
     echo 1 > /sys/kernel/debug/tracing/events/tegra_rtcpu/enable
     echo 1 > /sys/kernel/debug/tracing/events/freertos/enable
     echo 3 > /sys/kernel/debug/camrtc/log-level
     echo 1 > /sys/kernel/debug/tracing/events/camera_common/enable
     echo > /sys/kernel/debug/tracing/trace
     cat /sys/kernel/debug/tracing/trace
     

4. Adjust Pixel Clock Frequency:

   • Modify pix_clk_hz in your configuration to a suitable value based on your sensor’s specifications. Users have reported success by experimenting with this parameter.

5. Test Different Formats and Resolutions:

   • Use v4l2-ctl to set different formats and resolutions:

     sudo v4l2-ctl -d /dev/video0 --set-fmt-video=width=2624,height=1992,pixelformat=RG10 --stream-count=4 --verbose --stream-mmap
     

6. Check Device Tree Configuration:

   • Ensure that your device tree settings are correct for your specific camera module (SP5508). Pay attention to parameters like mclk_khz, num_lanes, and lane_polarity.

7. Update Drivers and Firmware:

   • Make sure that you are using the latest drivers and firmware for both the Jetson Orin Nano and the connected camera.

8. Consult Documentation and Community Forums:

   • Refer to Nvidia’s official documentation for any additional setup requirements specific to your hardware configuration.
   • Engage with community forums for shared experiences and solutions from other users encountering similar issues.

9. Test with Different Cameras:

   • If possible, test with another compatible camera (e.g., IMX219) to determine if the issue is specific to the SP5508 sensor.

10. Power Supply Check:

    • Ensure that your power supply meets the requirements for both the Jetson board and any connected peripherals.

By following these troubleshooting steps, users can isolate and potentially resolve issues related to camera streaming on their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano development boards. If problems persist after trying these solutions, further investigation into hardware compatibility or contacting Nvidia support may be necessary.