Failed to create CaptureSession with IMX477 Camera on Jetson Orin Nano

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing a "Failed to create CaptureSession" error when attempting to stream video from an IMX477 camera connected to a 22-pin MIPI 4-lane port on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board. The issue arises specifically when using the nvarguscamerasrc GStreamer plugin, while the same camera operates correctly on a 15-pin MIPI dual-lane connection.

Symptoms and Context

• The error occurs during the execution of a GStreamer command designed to capture video from the camera.

• The command executed is:

  GST_DEBUG=4 gst-launch-1.0 nvarguscamerasrc sensor-id=0 ! 'video/x-raw(memory:NVMM), width=1280, height=720, format=NV12, framerate=30/1' ! nvvidconv ! 'video/x-raw(memory:NVMM), width=1280, height=720' ! nvv4l2h265enc bitrate=4000000 preset-level=0 insert-sps-pps=1 iframeinterval=10 ! h265parse ! rtph265pay config-interval=1 ! udpsink host=192.168.1.38 port=5600 sync=false async=false
  

• The error message indicates issues with buffer allocation and session creation within the GStreamer framework.

• The user has confirmed that the I2C configuration appears correct and has examined the device tree overlay for potential misconfigurations.

Hardware and Software Specifications

• Hardware: Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board with an IMX477 camera.
• Driver Version: tegra-video driver version 5.15.136.
• Device Tree Overlay: Custom overlay for configuring the IMX477 camera.

Frequency and Impact

This issue appears to be consistent for users attempting to utilize the IMX477 camera over a 4-lane configuration. It significantly impacts user experience by preventing successful video capture, which is critical for applications relying on real-time video processing.

Possible Causes

• Hardware Incompatibilities: The custom carrier board may not support the required configurations for 4-lane operation.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: There may be bugs in the GStreamer plugins or drivers that affect multi-lane configurations.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings in the device tree overlay or I2C configuration may lead to miscommunication between components.

• Driver Issues: The absence of necessary driver support for 4-lane configurations in RidgeRun’s driver could be a contributing factor.

• Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or thermal constraints may affect performance, though less likely given the nature of the error.

• User Errors: Misconfigurations in GPIO settings or lane polarity settings could lead to failures in establishing a capture session.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Verify Device Tree Overlay:

   • Ensure that the device tree overlay correctly specifies num_csi_lanes = <0x04> for 4-lane operation.
   • Check lane polarity settings in the overlay and confirm they match hardware specifications.

2. Check GPIO Connections:

   • Review GPIO schematics to ensure all connections are correct and follow documentation guidelines.
   • Confirm that any required GPIOs are set low or high as needed during initialization.

3. Test Different Configurations:

   • Attempt to connect the IMX477 camera to different CSI ports (e.g., switching from cam0 to cam1) to isolate whether the issue is port-specific.
   • If possible, test with another camera known to work in a 4-lane configuration.

4. Review Driver Support:

   • Check if RidgeRun’s driver includes support for 4-lane configurations; if not, consider reaching out for updates or patches.
   • If imx477_mode_tbls.h is missing, investigate how to implement necessary register settings manually.

5. Update Device Tree and Sensor Registers:

   • Modify both device tree overlays and image sensor register tables as needed for proper configuration.
   • Ensure register settings are appropriate for outputting frames over a 4-lane configuration.

6. Use Debugging Tools:

   • Utilize v4l2-ctl commands to list devices and check their capabilities:

   v4l2-ctl --list-devices --all
   

7. Consult Documentation and Community Resources:

   • Refer to Nvidia’s developer documentation for guidance on configuring cameras with Jetson platforms.
   • Engage with community forums or reach out to support channels (e.g., RidgeRun) for assistance with specific configurations or driver issues.

Recommended Solutions

• Users have reported success by adjusting lane priority settings in their device tree overlay; try setting lane_priority appropriately based on your configuration.

• If using a custom carrier board, ensure it meets all electrical and signal integrity requirements specified by Nvidia’s design guidelines.

Best Practices

• Always back up your current device tree configuration before making changes.

• Regularly check for firmware updates or driver patches that may resolve known issues with hardware compatibility.

Unresolved Aspects

Further investigation may be needed regarding:

• Whether there are inherent limitations within the Jetson Orin NX hardware design that restrict certain configurations.

• The availability of updated drivers or documentation from RidgeRun that might address multi-lane camera support directly.