Can I connect 8 MIPI/CSI cameras on Jetson Orin Nano Dev. Kit?

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties in connecting multiple MIPI/CSI cameras to the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Development Kit. The primary symptoms include:

• Inability to connect 8 cameras simultaneously: Users need to open 8 cameras at the same time for their applications but face challenges in establishing the connections.

• Context of the problem: The issue arises during setup, particularly when attempting to configure multiple camera inputs for AI processing tasks.

• Hardware Specifications: The Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit features eight MIPI CSI lanes available through its connector, which theoretically supports multiple camera connections.

• Frequency of the issue: This issue appears to be consistent among users attempting to utilize multiple camera setups.

• Impact on user experience: The inability to connect all desired cameras significantly hampers the functionality of applications relying on simultaneous camera input, affecting overall project execution.

Possible Causes

Several potential reasons could explain the difficulties users face:

• Hardware Limitations: The Orin Nano DevKit does not support dual 4-lane configurations due to CSI clock limitations, which restricts the ability to connect multiple high-bandwidth cameras.

• Software and Configuration Issues: Users may encounter bugs or conflicts within the software that manages camera connections, particularly if not configured correctly.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers could lead to problems in recognizing or utilizing multiple cameras effectively.

• Custom Board Requirements: Users have suggested that a custom board might be necessary to enable dual 4-lane support, indicating that standard configurations may not suffice.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address the issue of connecting multiple MIPI/CSI cameras, follow these troubleshooting steps and potential solutions:

1. Check Hardware Configuration:

   • Verify that your Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit is correctly set up with all necessary connections.
   • Confirm that you are using compatible MIPI/CSI cameras that support the required data rates.

2. Review Documentation:

   • Consult the Jetson Orin NX Series and Orin Nano Series Design Guide, specifically section 32, which details the capabilities of the Orin Module regarding MIPI CSI lanes.
   • Refer to the Jetson Virtual Channel with GMSL Camera Framework, particularly section 21, for information on enabling virtual channel support.

3. Testing Configurations:

   • Attempt connecting fewer than 8 cameras to determine if there is a specific threshold causing issues.
   • Test different combinations of camera connections (e.g., using only Cam0 (CSI-C) and Cam1 (CSI-B)) to identify any particular configuration that works.

4. Driver Updates:

   • Ensure that all drivers related to camera functionality are up-to-date. Use the following command to check for updates:

     sudo apt-get update
     sudo apt-get upgrade
     

5. Custom Board Consideration:

   • If dual 4-lane support is critical for your application, consider designing a custom carrier board that accommodates this configuration.

6. Best Practices:

   • Regularly monitor Nvidia’s forums and documentation for updates regarding driver support and hardware compatibility.
   • Engage with community discussions for shared experiences and potential solutions from other users facing similar issues.

7. Unresolved Aspects:

   • Further investigation may be needed into whether future updates or modifications from Nvidia will enable dual 4-lane support on existing hardware configurations.

By following these steps and recommendations, users can better navigate the challenges associated with connecting multiple MIPI/CSI cameras to their Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit.