Creating a Yocto Image with DeepStream for Jetson Orin Nano

Issue Overview

The user is attempting to create a Yocto image for the Jetson Orin Nano board that includes DeepStream 7 integration. The main challenge is that the meta-tegra recipe, which is typically used for Jetson boards in Yocto builds, does not contain the DeepStream framework. This presents a significant obstacle for users who want to leverage DeepStream’s capabilities in their Yocto-based Jetson Orin Nano projects.

Possible Causes

1. Lack of Official Support: NVIDIA may not have officially provided a Yocto recipe for DeepStream, focusing instead on other distribution methods.

2. Recent Release: DeepStream 7 might be a relatively new release, and the Yocto recipes may not have been updated to include it yet.

3. Complexity of Integration: DeepStream’s dependencies and configuration might be complex, making it challenging to create a straightforward Yocto recipe.

4. Licensing Issues: There could be licensing considerations that complicate the inclusion of DeepStream in open-source Yocto recipes.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

Since there’s no direct solution provided in the forum discussion, here are some approaches to address the issue:

1. Check for Existing Recipes:

   • Search the Yocto Project’s layer index (https://layers.openembedded.org) for any DeepStream-related recipes.
   • Look for community-maintained layers that might include DeepStream support.

2. Create a Custom Recipe:
   If no existing recipe is available, create a custom recipe for DeepStream:

   • Start by creating a new layer for your DeepStream recipe:

     bitbake-layers create-layer meta-deepstream
     

   • Write a recipe file (e.g., deepstream_7.0.bb) in the new layer:

     SUMMARY = "NVIDIA DeepStream SDK"
     LICENSE = "Proprietary"
     LIC_FILES_CHKSUM = "file://LICENSE.txt;md5=<md5sum of license file>"
     
     SRC_URI = "https://developer.nvidia.com/downloads/deepstream_sdk_v7.0.0_x86_64.tbz2"
     SRC_URI[md5sum] = "<md5sum of the package>"
     SRC_URI[sha256sum] = "<sha256sum of the package>"
     
     # Add dependencies, installation steps, and other necessary configurations
     

3. Use External Source:
   If creating a recipe is challenging, consider using the externalsrc class:

   • Add DeepStream to your build as an external source:

     INHERIT += "externalsrc"
     EXTERNALSRC_pn-deepstream = "/path/to/deepstream/source"
     

   • This method allows you to use pre-built DeepStream binaries in your image.

4. Container-based Approach:
   Consider using containers to integrate DeepStream:

   • Create a Yocto image with container support (e.g., Docker).
   • Build a separate container image with DeepStream installed.
   • Deploy the DeepStream container on the Yocto-based Jetson Orin Nano.

5. Consult NVIDIA Developer Forums:

   • Post a question on the NVIDIA Developer Forums (https://forums.developer.nvidia.com/) specifically about DeepStream integration with Yocto for Jetson platforms.
   • NVIDIA engineers or community members might provide guidance or even share unofficial recipes.

6. Manual Installation Script:
   As a last resort, create a post-installation script:

   • Build a basic Yocto image for Jetson Orin Nano.
   • Write a script that downloads and installs DeepStream after the first boot.
   • Include this script in your Yocto image to run on first boot or manually after deployment.

Remember to thoroughly test any custom solutions, as they may impact system stability or performance. Additionally, ensure compliance with NVIDIA’s licensing terms when distributing DeepStream as part of your Yocto image.