Confused about synchronizing cameras

Issue Overview

Users are encountering difficulties in synchronizing two cameras connected to the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board for stereo vision applications. The main symptoms include:

• Inability to set the trigger property for the cameras, as it appears that the Jetson video drivers do not support external triggering.
• Users express confusion regarding the capability of the Jetson platform to handle synchronized camera operations, especially since it is designed for vision applications like robotics.
• The setup involves using Jetpack 5.1.1 and OpenCV 4.5.4, with users open to using V4L2 if necessary.

The issue occurs during the configuration phase when attempting to synchronize camera frames based on an external trigger signal. Users are aiming for a continuous stream of frames at a target frame rate of 60 Hz or higher, but they want this stream to be synchronized with an external signal rather than triggered sporadically.

The problem has been noted consistently among various users, impacting their ability to implement stereo vision effectively.

Possible Causes

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: The cameras may not be fully compatible with the Jetson Orin Nano’s driver architecture, especially concerning external triggers.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: The Jetson video drivers may have limitations or bugs that prevent external triggering from functioning as intended.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings in the camera configuration or insufficient understanding of how to implement synchronization could lead to issues.

• Driver Issues: The current version of the video drivers may lack support for external triggers, as indicated by user experiences.

• Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or temperature fluctuations could potentially affect camera performance and synchronization.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Users may not be following the correct procedures to enable synchronization or might be misinterpreting the capabilities of the Jetson platform.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify Camera Compatibility:

   • Ensure that the connected cameras support external triggers and are compatible with the Jetson Orin Nano.

2. Check Driver Support:

   • Confirm that you are using the latest version of Jetpack and check Nvidia’s documentation for any updates regarding camera support.

3. Modify Low-Level Driver Settings:

   • Execute the following commands to modify settings that might allow for external triggering:

     $ sudo pkill nvargus-daemon
     $ export enableCamInfiniteTimeout=1
     $ sudo nvargus-daemon &
     $ ./argus_syncstereo
     

   • This approach allows you to bypass some timeout errors and could help in achieving synchronization.

4. Use Software Synchronization Approaches:

   • Explore software methods for synchronized capture as referenced in Topic 111355 83. This may provide alternative solutions without relying solely on hardware triggers.

5. Test Frame Rate and Trigger Timing:

   • Assess your expected frame intervals and how long you anticipate needing an external trigger to send camera frames. Adjust configurations accordingly based on performance tests.

6. Consult Additional Resources:

   • Review related topics such as Topic 251033 15 for insights into using multiple cameras and potential future support for additional configurations.

7. Best Practices for Future Use:

   • Regularly update your software and drivers.
   • Maintain clear documentation of any configurations made during troubleshooting.
   • Engage with community forums for ongoing support and shared experiences from other users facing similar challenges.

By following these steps, users can effectively diagnose and potentially resolve issues related to synchronizing cameras on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board. Further investigation may be needed if problems persist, particularly regarding driver updates or hardware compatibility.