Device-Tree Configuration for CSI (Jetson Orin Nano with Custom Carrier Board)

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties in getting a gmsl2 camera to function properly on the CAM1 (CSI2/CSI3) interface of the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano 8GB when utilizing a custom carrier board. The specific symptoms include:

• Inability to receive data from the camera connected to the custom carrier board.
• Successful operation of the same camera setup when tested with the official development kit (devkit).

The issue arises specifically when using the custom carrier board, which has modified hardware configurations. Notably, the only change is the use of CSI3_CLK instead of CSI2_CLK, as utilized in the devkit. This alteration may be contributing to the failure in data acquisition. The problem appears to be consistent, as users have reported ongoing issues without resolution.

The impact on user experience is significant, as it prevents effective use of the camera, which is critical for applications requiring image processing or computer vision tasks.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes for this issue have been identified:

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: The custom carrier board may not be fully compatible with the gmsl2 camera due to changes in clock configurations.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: There may be software-related issues within the device tree configuration that do not align with the hardware setup.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings in the device tree could lead to improper clock signal utilization, preventing data transmission from the camera.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers might not support the custom hardware configuration.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Incorrectly configured device tree entries could lead to failures in recognizing or utilizing the camera.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address the issue effectively, follow these comprehensive troubleshooting steps:

1. Verify Hardware Connections:

   • Ensure that all connections between the gmsl2 camera and custom carrier board are secure and correctly configured.

2. Check Device Tree Configuration:

   • Review and edit the device tree configuration file to ensure that it accurately reflects your hardware setup.
   • Specifically, consider changing CSI3_CLK back to CSI2_CLK, as recommended by community feedback.

   Example command to edit device tree:

   sudo nano /path/to/device_tree_file.dts
   

3. Recompile Device Tree:

   • After making changes, recompile the device tree blob (DTB) and deploy it.

   dtc -I dts -O dtb -o /boot/tegra210-p3489-0000-p3448-0000.dtb /path/to/device_tree_file.dts
   

4. Update Drivers:

   • Ensure that you are using the latest drivers compatible with your Jetson Orin Nano and custom carrier board. Check Nvidia’s official website for updates.

5. Test with Different Configurations:

   • If possible, revert to a known working configuration using CSI2_CLK and test if data transmission occurs successfully.

6. Monitor System Logs:

   • Use terminal commands to check system logs for any errors related to camera initialization or data transfer.

   dmesg | grep -i camera
   

7. Engage Community Support:

   • If issues persist, consider reaching out on forums or Nvidia’s developer community for additional insights or similar experiences.

8. Best Practices for Future Prevention:

   • Document all hardware configurations and changes made during setup.
   • Regularly check for firmware updates and community discussions regarding compatibility with new hardware setups.

By following these steps, users should be able to diagnose and potentially resolve issues related to their gmsl2 camera setup on the Jetson Orin Nano with a custom carrier board.