IMX-678 Sensor Integration Issues on Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing problems when attempting to integrate the Sony IMX-678 sensor with the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit. The specific symptoms include:

• Successful I2C communication and sensor probing
• Errors when trying to capture frames using v4l2-ctl
• Discarded frames reported in dmesg output
• Multiple CHANSEL_NOMATCH and CHANSEL_FAULT errors in system traces

The issue occurs during the initial setup and testing of the camera sensor integration. It appears to be consistent across attempts to capture frames.

Possible Causes

1. Incorrect device tree configuration:
   The device tree may not be properly configured for the IMX-678 sensor, leading to mismatches in expected and actual data formats.

2. Driver compatibility issues:
   The driver based on IMX-219 may not be fully compatible with the IMX-678 sensor, causing communication or data interpretation problems.

3. Sensor output mismatch:
   The sensor’s output format or timing may not align with what the system expects, resulting in frame discards and channel selection errors.

4. Embedded metadata configuration:
   Incorrect settings for embedded metadata height in the device tree could lead to misalignment of image data and metadata.

5. NVCSI (Nvidia Camera Serial Interface) configuration:
   Improper NVCSI settings may cause issues with data reception and processing from the sensor.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify device tree configuration:

   • Review the device tree source (DTS) file for the IMX-678 sensor.
   • Ensure all parameters such as clock settings, data lanes, and sensor-specific configurations are correct.

2. Check driver compatibility:

   • Compare the IMX-678 datasheet with the IMX-219 driver to identify any significant differences.
   • Modify the driver to account for IMX-678 specific features and requirements.

3. Analyze sensor output:

   • Use an oscilloscope or logic analyzer to verify the sensor’s output signals.
   • Confirm that the timing and data format match the expectations of the Jetson Orin Nano.

4. Adjust embedded metadata settings:

   • Modify the embedded_metadata_height parameter in the device tree.
   • Based on the sensor output map, set embedded_metadata_height = "1".

5. Update the device tree source file:

   &imx678_cam0 {
       embedded_metadata_height = "1";
   }
   

6. Rebuild and flash the device tree:

   sudo dtc -I dts -O dtb -o /boot/tegra234-p3767-0000-p3768-0000-a0.dtb /path/to/your/dts/file
   sudo reboot
   

7. Verify NVCSI configuration:

   • Check the NVCSI settings in the device tree and ensure they match the IMX-678 requirements.
   • Pay attention to the number of lanes, data type, and pixel format.

8. Test with different v4l2-ctl commands:

   • Try capturing frames with various formats and resolutions:

     v4l2-ctl -d /dev/video0 --set-fmt-video=width=3840,height=2160,pixelformat=RGGB
     v4l2-ctl -d /dev/video0 --stream-mmap --stream-count=10
     

9. Enable verbose logging:

   • Modify the driver to include additional debug output.
   • Use printk() statements to log sensor configuration and data flow.

10. Check for firmware updates:

    • Ensure the Jetson Orin Nano is running the latest JetPack version.
    • Look for any available updates for the camera module or sensor firmware.

11. Isolate the issue:

    • Test the sensor on a different Jetson Orin Nano board if available.
    • Try a known working sensor (e.g., IMX219) to verify if the issue is specific to the IMX-678.

12. Review power and clock settings:

    • Ensure the sensor is receiving the correct power supply voltages.
    • Verify that the clock signals provided to the sensor meet its specifications.

If the issue persists after trying these solutions, consider reaching out to Nvidia developer support or the sensor manufacturer for further assistance. Provide them with detailed logs, device tree configurations, and the steps you’ve taken to troubleshoot the problem.