IMX390C Camera Module Not Working with Jetson Orin Nano

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties getting the IMX390C camera module to function with the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano development board. The specific symptoms include:

• No camera detected: Users report that the camera is not recognized by the system.
• Driver compatibility issues: The IMX390 driver is hard-coded into the Nvidia Linux kernel version r35.4.1, but it appears to be tailored for GMSL interface converters rather than MIPI/CSI interfaces, which raises questions about its usability without GMSL.
• Device tree file absence: Users note that the necessary device tree blob (*.dtbo file) for the IMX390C camera on the Orin Nano is not available, preventing proper configuration.
• Inconsistent responses from vendors: Attempts to contact SeeedStudio and Sensing for support have yielded limited results, leading to frustration among users.

The issue occurs primarily during setup and testing of the camera module. The camera is explicitly stated to be compatible with the Jetson Orin Nano, creating confusion when it fails to operate as expected. This problem significantly impacts user experience, as it hinders development and experimentation with the Jetson platform.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes have been identified for this issue:

• Hardware incompatibility: The IMX390C camera may require a SerDes chip for proper operation, which is not present in this configuration.
• Driver conflicts: The existing Nvidia driver may not support MIPI/CSI connections without GMSL, leading to detection failures.
• Missing device tree files: Without the appropriate *.dtbo file for the Orin Nano, the system cannot correctly register the camera.
• Vendor support gaps: Lack of timely and effective communication from SeeedStudio and Sensing regarding driver availability and compatibility may exacerbate user difficulties.
• User misconfigurations: Incorrect setup procedures or configuration settings could also contribute to the issue.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address the issues with the IMX390C camera module on the Jetson Orin Nano, users can follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Verify Camera Compatibility

   • Confirm that you are using the correct model of the IMX390C camera that is explicitly stated as compatible with the Jetson Orin Nano.

2. Check Driver Installation

   • Ensure that you have installed the latest Nvidia drivers compatible with your kernel version. You can download them from:

     SENSING-Technology/nvidia-jetson-camera-drivers (GitHub)
     

3. Device Tree Configuration

   • Since there is no available device tree blob for tegra234 (Orin Nano), you may need to create a custom device tree or request one from Nvidia or your camera vendor.

4. Test Alternative Configurations

   • If possible, test with a different camera module known to work with MIPI/CSI on Jetson devices to isolate whether the issue lies with the IMX390C camera or system configuration.

5. Contact Vendor Support

   • Continue reaching out to SeeedStudio and Sensing for updates on driver support and device tree files. Document all communications for reference.

6. Explore Community Solutions

   • Engage with community forums or discussions where similar issues have been addressed. Users have reported success by sharing custom solutions or workarounds.

7. Use Serial Console Logs

   • Utilize serial console logs to gather diagnostic information when attempting to initialize the camera. This can help identify specific errors related to device registration.

   dmesg | grep imx390
   

8. Firmware Updates

   • Keep your Jetson Orin Nano firmware updated by checking Nvidia’s official documentation for any patches or new releases that may address compatibility issues.

9. Best Practices

   • Regularly check for updates in both software (Jetpack) and hardware specifications.
   • Document your setup process meticulously to ensure reproducibility in troubleshooting.

10. Unresolved Areas

    • As of now, there are unresolved aspects regarding direct support from Nvidia for MIPI/CSI configurations without SerDes chips. Further investigation may be needed into community-driven solutions or custom driver development.

By following these steps, users can systematically diagnose and potentially resolve issues related to using the IMX390C camera module with their Jetson Orin Nano development board.