Initialization issue with Argus and an imx715 driver

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing an initialization issue with the Argus framework while utilizing the imx715 camera driver on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board. The problem manifests during endurance testing of the argus_multi_camera application, which is modified to support camera selection and display traces with uptime.

Symptoms

• The application fails to capture frames after a period of successful operation, resulting in the error message:

  Capture frame 14: ARGUS::STATUS_TIMEOUT
  

• The logs indicate issues with the imx715 driver, particularly during the initialization phase and when attempting to open the sensor.

Context

• The issue occurs during continuous operation, specifically when:
  • Powering on the sensors.
  • Loading the drivers.
  • Launching an individual argus_multi_camera application for each of the two available imx715 sensors to capture and display 100 frames at 27 fps.
  • Unloading drivers and powering off.

Hardware/Software Specifications

• Hardware: Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board
• Software: Jetpack version 5.1.2; using nvidia-l4t-jetson-multimedia package

Frequency and Impact

• The issue occurs intermittently, causing applications to stop functioning correctly. This leads to significant disruptions in user experience and system functionality, particularly in applications reliant on continuous camera input.

Possible Causes

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: There may be compatibility issues with the imx715 sensors or potential defects in the hardware that affect performance.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: Bugs within the Argus framework or conflicts between different software components could lead to timeouts during frame capture.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect configurations related to camera settings or driver parameters may cause initialization failures.

• Driver Issues: Problems within the imx715 driver, such as outdated versions or bugs, could prevent proper operation.

• Environmental Factors: Conditions like power supply fluctuations or overheating could impact sensor performance and lead to timeouts.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Incorrect setup or usage patterns by users could contribute to problems in sensor initialization.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

Step-by-Step Instructions for Diagnosing the Problem

1. Check Log Files:

   • Use dmesg to review kernel logs for any errors related to the imx715 driver and Argus daemon.
   • Look for specific error messages that indicate what might be failing during initialization.

2. Verify Driver Installation:

   • Ensure that the correct version of the imx715 driver is installed and compatible with Jetpack 5.1.2.

3. Test Sensor Functionality:

   • Isolate each sensor by testing them individually to determine if one sensor consistently fails while the other operates correctly.

4. Monitor Power Supply:

   • Check if there are any power supply issues that could affect sensor performance during operation.

Specific Commands

• To check system logs:

  dmesg | grep imx715
  

• To verify installed packages:

  dpkg -l | grep nvidia-l4t
  

Potential Fixes or Workarounds

1. Update Driver Files:

   • Replace the existing libnvfusacap.so file with a newer version as suggested by users in the forum discussion. This can potentially resolve bugs related to frame capture.

2. Modify Application Parameters:

   • Adjust parameters in your application code (e.g., timeout settings) to see if this alleviates issues during frame capture.

3. Test Different Configurations:

   • Experiment with different configurations for camera settings, such as changing data rates or CSI lane modes, to find a stable configuration.

4. Firmware Updates:

   • Check for any firmware updates for both the Jetson board and cameras that might address known issues.

5. Best Practices for Future Prevention:

   • Regularly update drivers and software packages.
   • Perform thorough testing after any changes in configuration or updates.
   • Monitor system performance metrics closely during testing phases.

Unresolved Aspects

While some users have reported success by updating specific library files, further investigation may be needed into whether these changes provide a permanent solution or if additional underlying issues exist within the software stack or hardware setup.