Jetpack 6 rev2 does not work when using 2 csi cameras imx219

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing issues with the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board when attempting to use two IMX219 cameras connected to the CSI ports. The primary symptoms include:

• When one camera is connected, it functions correctly on either CSI port (cam0 or cam1).
• When both cameras are connected, only the camera on cam1 operates, while the camera on cam0 does not.
• Users have reported that prior to flashing the device to Jetpack version 6 rev2, both cameras worked simultaneously without issues.

The context of the problem occurs during setup and operation of the cameras, specifically when trying to utilize both simultaneously. Relevant hardware specifications include:

• Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano with 8GB RAM
• IMX219 camera modules (specifically v2.1)
• Carrier board: reComputer J401

The issue appears to be consistent, as multiple users have reported similar experiences. The impact on user experience is significant, as it limits functionality for projects requiring dual camera input.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes for this issue have been identified:

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: The specific carrier board (reComputer J401) may not fully support dual IMX219 cameras, leading to conflicts.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: The transition to Jetpack version 6 rev2 might have introduced bugs affecting camera functionality.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings in the Jetson IO configuration could prevent both cameras from being recognized properly.

• Driver Issues: Incompatibilities or bugs in the driver for the IMX219 may be causing one of the cameras to fail when both are connected.

• Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or thermal conditions could affect camera performance when both are in use.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Improper connections or settings by users could lead to this issue, although users have indicated they have checked these aspects.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address the issue with dual IMX219 cameras on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano, follow these troubleshooting steps and solutions:

1. Verify Software Version:

   • Check your current Jetpack version using:

     cat /etc/nv_tegra_release
     

   • Ensure you are running Jetpack 6 rev2 as intended.

2. Gather Kernel Logs:

   • Collect detailed logs for further analysis:

     dmesg > klog.txt
     

   • Review klog.txt for any error messages related to the cameras.

3. Check V4L2 Compliance:

   • Run a compliance test on the video device:

     v4l2-compliance -d /dev/video0
     

   • Look for any errors in the output that might indicate driver or configuration issues.

4. Test Individual Cameras:

   • Connect each camera individually to verify that both are functioning correctly when used alone.
   • If both work separately but not together, this suggests a configuration or resource conflict.

5. Update Configuration Settings:

   • Use the jetson-io.py tool to configure dual camera settings:

     sudo /opt/nvidia/jetson-io/jetson-io.py
     

   • Select "IMX219-dual" and reboot the system.

6. Inspect Physical Connections:

   • Double-check all physical connections and ensure that there are no loose cables or faulty connectors.
   • Consider testing with different cables or ports if available.

7. Test with Different Software Versions:

   • If issues persist, consider downgrading to an earlier version of Jetpack (e.g., 5.1.3) as some users reported success with this version.
   • Follow standard procedures for flashing an older version of Jetpack.

8. Contact Manufacturer Support:

   • If none of the above solutions work, reach out to Seeed Studio for support regarding compatibility issues with their carrier board and IMX219 cameras.

9. Monitor System Resources:

   • Use system monitoring tools to check if there are resource constraints (CPU, memory) when attempting to run both cameras simultaneously.

10. Best Practices for Future Use:

    • Regularly check for updates and patches from Nvidia related to Jetpack and driver support.
    • Maintain good documentation of configurations and changes made during troubleshooting for future reference.

Unresolved aspects include whether this issue is hardware-specific to certain carrier boards or if it is a broader software problem affecting all setups using dual IMX219 cameras. Further investigation may be needed based on user feedback and updates from Nvidia regarding driver support and software patches.