Vulkan SC Samples Missing on Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit

Issue Overview

Users of the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit are experiencing difficulties when trying to run Vulkan SC samples. The main problems include:

1. Missing source files in the expected directory (/usr/src/nvidia/vulkan-sc/vulkan-sc-ecosystem/vulkan-sc-sample/).
2. Only compiled binaries are present, without the necessary shader files.
3. Attempts to run the binaries result in crashes due to missing shader files.
4. Some binaries contain hardcoded paths from the build environment, causing errors when run on user systems.

This issue affects users following the JetPack 35.3.1 Developer Guide, preventing them from properly utilizing Vulkan SC samples on their Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit.

Possible Causes

1. Incomplete package distribution: The Vulkan SC samples package may have been incompletely distributed, omitting source files and shader files.

2. Documentation error: The JetPack Developer Guide may contain outdated or incorrect information about the location and availability of Vulkan SC sample files.

3. Build process issue: The binaries may have been compiled with debug assertions and hardcoded paths, making them unsuitable for distribution.

4. Version mismatch: The user may be using an outdated version of JetPack that doesn’t include the complete Vulkan SC samples.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Update to JetPack 5.1.2:
   NVIDIA has confirmed that the Vulkan SC samples should be available in JetPack 5.1.2. Upgrade your Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit to this version.

2. Download additional files:
   After upgrading to JetPack 5.1.2, download the vulkan-sc-samples.zip file from the following link:
   https://developer.nvidia.com/embedded/jetson-linux-r3541

3. Extract and install the samples:
   Unzip the downloaded vulkan-sc-samples.zip file and follow any installation instructions provided within.

4. Verify file presence:
   After installation, check if the source files and shader files are now present in the correct directories.

5. Run samples with correct paths:
   Ensure you’re running the samples from the correct directory, where shader files are expected to be located.

6. Check for updated documentation:
   Look for any updated guides or README files that come with the new samples package, as they may contain important information about running the samples.

7. Report persistent issues:
   If you still encounter problems after following these steps, report the issue to NVIDIA’s developer forums with detailed information about your setup and the exact errors you’re experiencing.

8. Temporary workaround for missing shaders:
   If shader files are still missing, you may need to obtain them separately or compile them from source if available. Look for .vert and .frag files corresponding to the sample you’re trying to run.

9. Dealing with hardcoded paths:
   If you encounter errors related to hardcoded paths, you may need to create symbolic links or modify environment variables to match the expected paths. For example:

   sudo mkdir -p /home/zhangkai/pdk/linux/drive-linux/samples/vulkansc-samples/
   sudo ln -s /path/to/actual/samples /home/zhangkai/pdk/linux/drive-linux/samples/vulkansc-samples
   

10. Compile from source (if available):
    If source files become available, consider compiling the samples yourself to ensure they work correctly on your system:

    cd /path/to/vulkan-sc-samples
    mkdir build && cd build
    cmake ..
    make
    

Remember to check for any README or INSTALL files in the samples package for specific instructions related to building and running the Vulkan SC samples on the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit.