Help with kernel update to add TC358743 board

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties in installing the TC358743 board on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board. The main symptoms include:

• Inability to load the required driver for the TC358743 board.
• Confusion regarding the necessary steps to modify the device tree and register the driver within the Jetson V4L2 Camera Framework.

The issue typically arises during setup, particularly when users attempt to integrate the TC358743 board into their existing Jetson Orin Nano environment. Relevant specifications include:

• The kernel version mentioned is 5.10, which includes the driver for TC358743 located at kernel/kernel-5.10/drivers/media/i2c/tc358743.c.

The frequency of this issue appears to be common among users lacking kernel knowledge, impacting their ability to utilize the TC358743 board effectively.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes for this issue have been identified:

• Driver Availability: The driver for TC358743 is included in the base Linux kernel, but may not be properly registered or configured for use with the Jetson platform.

• Device Tree Configuration: Incorrect or incomplete device tree entries can prevent the driver from loading correctly.

• Kernel Knowledge Gap: Users without sufficient experience in kernel modifications may struggle to implement necessary changes.

• Compatibility Issues: Other drivers, such as those for different HDMI-CSI bridges (e.g., Lontium LT6911UXC), may lead to conflicts if not managed properly.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address the issue of integrating the TC358743 board with the Jetson Orin Nano, follow these comprehensive troubleshooting steps:

1. Verify Driver Presence:

   • Check if the driver exists in your kernel source:

     ls /path/to/kernel/kernel-5.10/drivers/media/i2c/tc358743.c
     

2. Modify Device Tree:

   • Locate and edit your device tree source file (DTS) to include a node for the TC358743 driver. You can reference existing examples, such as:

     hardware/nvidia/platform/t19x/common/kernel-dts/t19x-common-modules/tegra194-camera-imx274-hdmi.dtsi
     

   • Ensure you define necessary properties like mode and resolution.

3. Register Driver:

   • Utilize the Jetson V4L2 Camera Framework to register your driver. Follow guidelines from NVIDIA’s documentation on Sensor Software Driver Programming.

4. Compile and Update Kernel:

   • After making changes, compile your kernel and update it on your Jetson device. Commands may vary based on your setup.

5. Test Configuration:

   • Reboot your system and check if the driver loads correctly:

     dmesg | grep tc358743
     

6. Refer to Additional Resources:

   • Utilize community resources and guides such as:
     • Guide to have TC358743 B102 board running on Jetson Nano Developer Kit
     • NVIDIA Jetson Linux Developer Guide.

7. Seek Further Assistance:

   • If issues persist, consider reaching out for help on forums or contacting support from embedded software engineers who specialize in this area.

Best Practices

• Maintain backups of your current configurations before making changes.

• Document all modifications for future reference and troubleshooting.

• Regularly check for updates in both kernel sources and documentation that may affect compatibility or functionality.

Unresolved Aspects

While several users have successfully integrated similar drivers by following these steps, some aspects remain unresolved:

• Specific configurations that may differ based on individual setups.

• Potential conflicts with other drivers that could arise during implementation.

This document aims to provide a structured approach to resolving issues related to adding the TC358743 board on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano, facilitating a smoother integration process for users.