ORIN NANO cannot light the SENSOR using the linux35.4.1 driver package

Issue Overview

The issue reported involves the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board, specifically concerning the IMX715 camera module. Users have experienced a failure in device registration after updating from the Linux driver package version 35.3.1 to 35.4.1. Symptoms include an inability to light the sensor and errors related to gain range during driver loading. The problem appears to occur consistently during setup and operation of the camera module, impacting users’ ability to utilize the hardware effectively. The specific context involves debugging driver loading and configuration settings within the device tree, particularly concerning gain control parameters.

Possible Causes

• Driver Updates: The update to linux35.4.1 introduced changes that may affect how gain values are interpreted, leading to registration failures.
• Device Tree Configuration: The minimum gain value in the device tree may not be set correctly, which is necessary for proper sensor operation.
• Software Bugs: There may be unresolved bugs in the new driver that affect compatibility with existing hardware configurations.
• Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings in the device tree or sensor configuration could lead to operational failures.
• Hardware Issues: Potential defects or incompatibilities with the IMX715 camera module itself could contribute to these problems.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Check Driver Version:

   • Ensure you are using the correct driver version (linux35.4.1). If issues persist, consider reverting to a previous version (35.3.1) as a temporary workaround.

2. Review Device Tree Settings:

   • Access the device tree configuration and verify that min_gain_val is set appropriately (greater than 1 in linear scale) as per the release notes for JetPack 5.1.2.
   • Example command to view device tree settings:

     dtc -I fs -O dts /proc/device-tree > device_tree.dts
     

3. Modify Gain Range for Testing:

   • As suggested by forum users, modify the gain range temporarily to a constant value for testing purposes. This can help isolate whether gain range issues are causing the problem.

4. Debugging Driver Loading:

   • Use debugging tools to gather logs related to driver loading:

     dmesg | grep tegracam
     

   • Analyze error messages for specific indications of what might be failing during registration.

5. Consult Release Notes:

   • Review Nvidia’s release notes for linux35.4.1 for any known issues or additional configuration steps required for the IMX715 camera module.

6. Community Support:

   • Engage with community forums or Nvidia support channels for additional insights or similar experiences from other users.

7. Firmware Updates:

   • Check if there are any firmware updates available that might address compatibility issues with newer drivers.

8. Testing with Different Hardware:

   • If possible, test with another camera module known to be compatible (e.g., IMX219) to determine if the issue lies specifically with the IMX715.

9. Documentation and Resources:

   • Refer to official Nvidia documentation for further troubleshooting guides and best practices related to camera integration on Jetson platforms.

10. Future Prevention:

    • Keep track of updates and community discussions regarding driver changes and device compatibility to prevent similar issues in future setups.

By following these steps, users can systematically troubleshoot and potentially resolve issues related to lighting sensors on their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano boards while utilizing updated driver packages.