MIPI CSI-2 and SD Card Support on Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit

Issue Overview

Users have raised questions about the MIPI CSI-2 capabilities and SD card support for the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit. The main points of confusion are:

1. The discrepancy between the stated MIPI CSI-2 D-PHY 2.1 bandwidth (20Gbps) and the theoretical capabilities of D-PHY 2.1 (4.5Gbps per lane).
2. The number of usable MIPI lanes on the Developer Kit and supported camera configurations.
3. The functionality of the SD card slot on the Developer Kit, given that the Jetson Orin Nano itself doesn’t support SD cards.

These issues impact users’ understanding of the device’s capabilities and potential use cases, particularly for camera integration and storage options.

Possible Causes

1. Bandwidth limitation:

   • Hardware limitations specific to the Jetson Orin Nano implementation
   • Intentional bandwidth capping for stability or power efficiency reasons

2. MIPI lane configuration:

   • Hardware design choices on the Developer Kit
   • Software or firmware limitations

3. SD card support discrepancy:

   • Differences between the Jetson Orin Nano module and the Developer Kit
   • Potential confusion in documentation or marketing materials

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. MIPI CSI-2 Bandwidth:

   • The Jetson Orin Nano series uses D-PHY v2.1, but the bandwidth is limited to 2.5Gbps per lane.
   • Total bandwidth: 2.5Gbps * 8 lanes = 20Gbps, which matches the stated specifications.
   • Users should design their systems based on this 2.5Gbps per lane limitation, not the theoretical maximum of D-PHY 2.1.

2. MIPI Lane Configuration:

   • The Developer Kit supports two CSI ports (CAM0 and CAM1) through 22-position flex connectors.
   • CAM0 supports 1×2 lane configuration.
   • CAM1 supports either 1×2 lane or 1×4 lane configuration.
   • 1-lane camera configurations are supported on both CAM0 and CAM1.
   • To enable 4-lane configuration on CAM0, additional fixes are required (currently not working).
   • Each CSI port (e.g., CSI-A) supports x1 or x2 configurations.
   • Combining two CSI ports (e.g., CSI-A/B) enables x4 configuration.

3. SD Card Support:

   • While the Jetson Orin Nano module itself doesn’t have built-in SD card support, the Developer Kit includes an SD card slot.
   • For flashing the Jetson Orin Nano 8GB with an SD card, use the NVIDIA SDK Manager.
   • Alternatively, users can generate a custom image by referring to the Jetson Linux Developer Guide documentation on Flashing Support.

Additional Notes:

• When developing applications or integrating cameras, ensure compatibility with the supported lane configurations and bandwidth limitations.
• For the most up-to-date information on MIPI CSI-2 capabilities and SD card support, refer to the official Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit documentation or contact NVIDIA support.
• If encountering issues with 4-lane configurations on CAM0, check for any available software updates or patches that might enable this functionality.