How to Remove IMX219 from JetPack 6.0 on Orin Nano

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties in removing the IMX219 sensor driver from the JetPack 6.0 SDK on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board. The primary symptoms include:

• The IMX219 sensor continues to load even when users do not configure it through the jetson-io.py script.
• Users report that despite modifying device tree configurations, the IMX219 remains active in the system.

The issue typically occurs during the setup and configuration of the Jetson Orin Nano, particularly when users attempt to port their own sensors instead of using the default IMX219 sensor.

Relevant hardware and software specifications include:

• JetPack 6.0 SDK
• Kernel version: 5.15.136-tegra
• Device tree files: tegra234-p3768-0000+p3767-0004-nv.dtb and tegra234-p3768-0000+p3767-0000-dynamic.dtbo

This issue appears to be consistent among multiple users, significantly impacting their ability to utilize alternative sensors effectively.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes for this issue have been identified:

• Hardware Incompatibilities: The board may have default configurations that prioritize the IMX219 sensor, leading to its automatic loading.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: There may be bugs within JetPack 6.0 that prevent proper removal or disabling of the IMX219 driver.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect modifications in device tree settings or failure to execute necessary configuration scripts may lead to unintended loading of the IMX219.

• Driver Issues: The presence of outdated or conflicting drivers could cause the IMX219 to load despite user attempts to disable it.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Users may not be fully aware of all necessary steps required to remove or disable the IMX219 sensor.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address the issue of removing the IMX219 from JetPack 6.0 on the Orin Nano, follow these comprehensive troubleshooting steps:

1. Verify Device Tree Configuration:

   • Extract your current device tree using:

     sudo dtc -I fs -O dts -o extracted.dts /proc/device-tree
     

   • Check for any references to imx219 in the extracted.dts file.

2. Modify Device Tree Source (DTS):

   • If references exist, modify the DTS file to set the status of imx219 to "disabled". This can be done by changing:

     status = "okay";
     

     to:

     status = "disabled";
     

3. Remove Driver Files:

   • Delete all related imx219*dtbo files from your L4T installation to prevent loading:

     sudo rm /boot/dtb/*.dtbo
     

4. Re-flash JetPack:

   • After making changes, re-flash your Jetson Orin Nano with the modified device tree and ensure that no IMX219 configurations are included.

5. Confirm Changes:

   • After re-flashing, confirm that your changes were successful by checking if imx219 is no longer loaded:

     lsmod | grep imx219
     

6. Check Kernel Logs:

   • Use dmesg to check kernel logs for any messages regarding the loading of imx219, which can help diagnose if it still attempts to load.

7. Best Practices:

   • Always back up your current configurations before making changes.
   • Keep your JetPack and drivers updated to avoid potential bugs.
   • Document any changes made for future reference.

8. Seek Further Assistance:

   • If issues persist, consider reaching out on forums or Nvidia support with specific logs and configurations for more tailored assistance.

By following these steps, users should be able to successfully remove or disable the IMX219 sensor from their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board setup.