Camera Recognition Issue with Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit

Issue Overview

Users of the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano 8GB Developer Kit are experiencing difficulties connecting and recognizing camera modules. The specific symptoms include:

• Camera module code not being recognized when connected to the camera interface
• Inconsistent behavior where /dev/video0 is sometimes displayed when the camera is not connected
• Failure in camera device registration during system boot

The issue occurs during the setup and connection of a camera module, specifically the Yahboom NVIDIA Jetson IMX219 camera 8MP, which is compatible with various Jetson models including the Orin Nano.

Possible Causes

1. Incorrect CSI Connector Configuration: The Camera Serial Interface (CSI) connector may not be properly configured using Jetson-IO.

2. Driver Incompatibility: The camera driver (imx219) may be incompatible with the current system setup or kernel version.

3. Hardware Connection Issues: The flex ribbon cable connecting the camera module to the Jetson board may be improperly connected or have incorrect pin direction.

4. I2C Communication Failure: The error logs indicate an I2C read probe error, which could be due to hardware issues or driver problems.

5. Software Configuration: Incorrect software settings or missing dependencies may prevent proper camera recognition.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Configure CSI Connector:

   • Run Jetson-IO to properly configure the CSI connector:

     sudo /opt/nvidia/jetson-io/jetson-io.py
     

   • Follow the on-screen instructions to enable the camera interface.

2. Check Camera Connection:

   • Ensure the flex ribbon cable is properly connected to both the camera module and the Jetson board.
   • Verify that the pin direction of the flex ribbon cable is correct.

3. Verify Camera Compatibility:

   • Confirm that the Yahboom NVIDIA Jetson IMX219 camera is compatible with your specific Jetson Orin Nano model and software version.

4. Update System and Drivers:

   • Ensure your Jetson Orin Nano has the latest system updates and camera drivers:

     sudo apt update
     sudo apt upgrade
     

5. Check Kernel Logs:

   • Examine the kernel logs for detailed error messages:

     dmesg | grep imx219
     

   • Look for specific errors related to the camera module initialization.

6. Verify I2C Communication:

   • Check if the I2C bus is functioning correctly:

     sudo i2cdetect -y -r 1
     

   • This command will show a map of detected I2C devices. The camera should appear on this list.

7. Reinstall Camera Drivers:

   • If the issue persists, try reinstalling the camera drivers:

     sudo apt remove nvidia-l4t-camera
     sudo apt install nvidia-l4t-camera
     

8. Test with Different Camera Modules:

   • If available, test with a different compatible camera module to isolate whether the issue is specific to the current camera or a system-wide problem.

9. Check Power Supply:

   • Ensure that the Jetson Orin Nano is receiving adequate power, as insufficient power can cause peripheral recognition issues.

10. Consult NVIDIA Support:

    • If all else fails, consider contacting NVIDIA support for further assistance, as there may be a hardware issue requiring professional attention.

Remember to reboot the system after making any significant changes to ensure all modifications take effect. If the problem persists after trying these solutions, it may indicate a more complex issue requiring advanced troubleshooting or potential hardware repair.