Device Tree Configuration Issues for Single Lane MIPI Camera on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties when attempting to connect an Omnivision single-lane MIPI camera to the CAM0 interface on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano. The specific symptoms include timeout errors in the debug log, indicating a failure to capture video data. The error messages include:

• uncorr_err: request timed out after 2500 ms
• err_rec: attempting to reset the capture channel
• err_rec: successfully reset the capture channel

These issues occur during the setup of the camera and while trying to receive signals. Users have reported modifying their device tree configurations based on a working 4-lane camera setup but are unsure if additional parameters need adjustment for single-lane operation. The problem appears to be relatively common, with multiple users reporting similar challenges.

Possible Causes

1. Device Tree Configuration Errors: Incorrect parameters such as bus-width, num_lanes, and camera_mipi_lanes may not be properly set for single-lane operation.
2. Hardware Incompatibilities: The camera may not be compatible with the single-lane configuration or may require specific wiring adjustments.
3. Driver Issues: Bugs or conflicts within the camera driver could lead to communication failures.
4. Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or overheating could affect performance and lead to timeouts.
5. User Misconfigurations: Incorrectly configured settings in the device tree or other system parameters could contribute to the problem.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify Device Tree Settings:

   • Ensure that the following parameters are set correctly in your device tree:
     • bus-width = <1>;
     • num-lanes = <1>;
     • camera-mipi-lanes = <1>;
   • Check if other parameters related to sensor output need modification.

2. Check Camera Configuration:

   • Confirm that the camera is configured for single-lane operation. This may require checking both hardware connections and software settings.

3. Inspect Hardware Connections:

   • Verify that the MIPI CLK and DATA pins are correctly connected according to the specifications of both the camera and the carrier board.
   • Ensure that any necessary pull-up resistors are present as per the camera’s requirements.

4. Gather Debug Information:

   • Use the following command to check for camera device recognition:

     v4l2-ctl --list-devices
     

   • To capture video for testing, use:

     gst-launch-1.0 nvarguscamerasrc ! 'video/x-raw(memory:NVMM), width=(int)1920, height=(int)1080, format=(string)NV12, framerate=(fraction)30/1' ! nvvidconv ! video/x-raw, format=I420 ! x264enc ! h264parse ! qtmux ! filesink location=output.mp4 -e
     

5. Test with Different Configurations:

   • If issues persist, try using a different camera or switching back to a 4-lane configuration temporarily to isolate whether the problem lies with the current hardware setup.

6. Update Drivers and Firmware:

   • Ensure that you are using the latest drivers and firmware for your Jetson Orin Nano by checking NVIDIA’s official documentation and updating as necessary.

7. Consult Documentation:

   • Review relevant documentation from NVIDIA regarding device tree configurations and camera setups, such as:
     • Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit User Guide
     • NVIDIA Jetson Linux Developer Guide

8. Community Support:

   • Engage with community forums or NVIDIA support channels for additional assistance and shared experiences from other users facing similar issues.

Note on Unresolved Aspects

Some users have raised questions about whether additional modifications are required beyond adjusting bus-width, num_lanes, and camera_mipi_lanes. This area remains under investigation, and further collaboration within community forums may yield additional insights or solutions.