OpenCV with OpenCV_contrib Modules on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board

Issue Overview

Users of the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board have reported difficulties integrating OpenCV contrib modules into their existing Jetpack installation. Specifically, after installing Jetpack 5.1.2, which comes with preinstalled OpenCV version 4.5.4, users found that essential modules from the OpenCV contrib repository were missing. The key issues identified include:

• Symptoms: Users are unable to access necessary OpenCV contrib modules for their projects, leading to limitations in functionality.

• Context: The problem arises during the development phase when users attempt to utilize features that require these additional modules.

• Hardware/Software Specifications: The discussion centers around Jetpack 5.1.2 and OpenCV 4.5.4, both of which are optimized for the Jetson Orin architecture.

• Frequency: This issue appears to be common among users who have installed the specified version of Jetpack.

• Impact: The inability to access contrib modules significantly hampers project development, potentially leading to performance downgrades if users resort to alternative implementations.

• Relevant Context: Users are concerned about whether the precompiled shared object files (so files) located in /usr/lib/aarch64-linux-gnu are optimized for their hardware and whether compiling OpenCV from source would result in performance improvements or degradation.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes for the issue have been identified:

• Missing Modules: The default installation of OpenCV does not include contrib modules, which are essential for certain advanced functionalities.

• Precompiled Libraries: The precompiled so files may not be optimized for specific use cases or may lack certain features available in the contrib repository.

• User Configuration: Users may not be aware of how to properly configure their installations to include the necessary modules.

• Software Bugs: There could be bugs or limitations within the Jetpack installation that prevent users from easily adding or compiling additional modules.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address the issue of missing OpenCV contrib modules on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board, follow these comprehensive troubleshooting steps and solutions:

1. Verify Current Installation:

   • Check the installed version of OpenCV:

     dpkg -l | grep opencv
     

2. Assess Module Requirements:

   • Identify which contrib modules are needed for your project by reviewing your project requirements against available modules in the OpenCV contrib repository.

3. Remove Existing OpenCV Installation (if necessary):

   • If you decide to compile OpenCV from source, remove the existing installation:

     sudo apt-get remove --purge libopencv*
     

4. Compile OpenCV with Contrib Modules:

   • Download the latest OpenCV source code and contrib repository:

     git clone https://github.com/opencv/opencv.git
     git clone https://github.com/opencv/opencv_contrib.git
     

   • Navigate to the directory and create a build folder:

     cd opencv
     mkdir build
     cd build
     

   • Configure CMake with contrib modules enabled:

     cmake -DOPENCV_EXTRA_MODULES_PATH=../../opencv_contrib/modules ..
     

   • Compile and install:

     make -j$(nproc)
     sudo make install
     

5. Performance Considerations:

   • After compiling, benchmark your application to compare performance with the precompiled libraries.
   • Use profiling tools available on Jetson devices to assess any performance impacts.

6. Documentation & Resources:

   • Refer to official Nvidia documentation for Jetpack and OpenCV compilation guidelines.
   • For further customization or troubleshooting, consider using community resources such as GitHub repositories or forums related to Nvidia Jetson development.

7. Best Practices for Future Installations:

   • Always check compatibility and module availability before installation.
   • Keep your system updated with the latest versions of Jetpack and associated libraries.

By following these steps, users should be able to successfully integrate OpenCV contrib modules into their projects on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board while addressing any performance concerns associated with library optimization.