IMX519 Autofocus with Jetson-inference: Programmatic Control of Camera Focus

Issue Overview

The primary issue discussed involves users attempting to programmatically control the focus of an IMX519 autofocus camera while using the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Devkit with software version 35.3.1. Users report that they can successfully view the camera feed within a Docker container using the command:

video-viewer --input-width=4656 --input-height=3496 --input-rate=9 csi://0

Additionally, they can run the imagenet camera examples without issues. However, the challenge arises when users want to implement manual focus adjustments programmatically within the jetson-inference framework.

Key points include:

• Symptoms: Users are unable to find examples or guidelines on how to control the camera’s focus programmatically within jetson-inference.

• Context: The problem occurs during attempts to integrate manual focus functionality into existing Python example code for imagenet.

• Hardware/Software Specifications: The setup includes an IMX519 autofocus camera and an Orin Nano Devkit, with software version 35.3.1.

• Frequency of Issue: This appears to be a common challenge for users working with similar setups.

• Impact on User Experience: The inability to control focus programmatically limits the functionality of applications relying on precise image capture, affecting overall user experience and application performance.

Possible Causes

Several potential reasons could explain why users are experiencing difficulties in controlling the camera focus:

• Library Limitations: Jetson-inference may not utilize libcamera, which is known for its focus control capabilities, making it difficult to integrate manual focus adjustments.

• API Accessibility: Users may not be aware of or have access to necessary APIs that facilitate manual focus adjustments.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect setup or configuration of the camera or software environment could lead to issues in controlling focus.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers for the IMX519 camera may hinder functionality.

• User Misconfiguration: Users may not be correctly implementing available APIs or commands for focus control.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address the issue of programmatically controlling camera focus, users can follow these troubleshooting steps and solutions:

1. Check API Documentation:

   • Review Nvidia’s Argus API documentation for functions related to focus control:
     • Argus::ISourceSettings::setFocusPosition
     • Argus::IBayerHistogram
     • Argus::Ext::IBayerSharpnessMap

2. Implement Manual Focus Using Argus APIs:

   • Use the following Argus API calls within your Python code to adjust focus:

     import Argus
     
     # Assuming you have initialized your camera session
     source_settings = camera.getSourceSettings()
     source_settings.setFocusPosition(focus_value)  # Set desired focus position
     

3. Testing Focus Control:

   • Test different values for focus_value to determine the range and effect on image clarity.
   • Monitor histogram and sharpness map outputs using the relevant Argus APIs to assess focus quality.

4. Docker Container Configuration:

   • Ensure that your Docker container has access to all necessary libraries and permissions required for accessing hardware features.
   • Check if any additional configurations are needed in your Docker setup that might affect hardware interaction.

5. Driver Updates:

   • Verify that you have the latest drivers installed for both the Jetson Orin Nano and IMX519 camera.
   • Update drivers as necessary through Nvidia’s official channels.

6. Community Resources:

   • Engage with community forums or Nvidia’s support channels for additional insights or shared experiences from other users who have successfully implemented similar functionality.

7. Best Practices for Future Use:

   • Document your successful configurations and code snippets for future reference.
   • Regularly check for updates in both software libraries and community forums regarding new features or bug fixes related to camera controls.

By following these steps, users should be able to diagnose and potentially resolve issues related to programmatically controlling camera focus in their applications using jetson-inference on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Devkit.