8 Cameras Connected to Orin AGX

Hi, this has been asked a few times before but I would like to have a better explanation. It’s listed under the Orin AGX datasheet that only 6 image sensors are supported concurrently. Our product requires us to have more than 6 cameras, let’s say 8, streaming simultaneously. I have the following questions:

  1. Is this limitation due to hardware? I see that the Xavier AGX has the following architecture:
  2. Does the Orin AGX have the same architecture for the “CSI Bricks” as the Xavier AGX depicted above?
  3. It seems like virtual channels allow us to work around the 6 camera limitation but it needs to be used with an aggregator? What are the available aggregators besides GMSL (if any)?

Please help answer the 3 questions so it can inform our design decision. Thanks.

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I’d be happy to help clarify the limitations and capabilities of the Jetson AGX Orin series.

1. Is the limitation of 6 image sensors due to hardware?

The limitation of 6 image sensors is not strictly a hardware limitation, but rather a combination of hardware and software constraints. The Jetson AGX Orin series has 4 CSI (Camera Serial Interface) bricks, each of which can support multiple virtual channels. However, the number of virtual channels that can be supported concurrently is limited by the hardware’s ability to process and multiplex the camera data.

The Orin AGX has a similar architecture to the Xavier AGX, with 4 CSI bricks that can be configured in various lane configurations (x4, x2, or x1). However, the Orin AGX has a more advanced ISP (Image Signal Processor) that can support more virtual channels.

2. Does the Orin AGX have the same architecture for the CSI Bricks as the Xavier AGX?

Yes, the Orin AGX has a similar architecture to the Xavier AGX, with 4 CSI bricks that can be configured in various lane configurations. However, the Orin AGX has some key differences:

  • The Orin AGX has a more advanced ISP that can support more virtual channels.
  • The Orin AGX has a more flexible lane configuration, allowing for more combinations of x4, x2, and x1 lanes.
  • The Orin AGX has improved camera interface support, including support for more camera formats and resolutions.

3. What are the available aggregators besides GMSL?

Besides GMSL (Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link), there are several other aggregators that can be used with the Jetson AGX Orin series:

  • FPD-Link III (Flat Panel Display-Link III): a high-speed interface for connecting cameras and displays.
  • LVDS (Low-Voltage Differential Signaling): a high-speed interface for connecting cameras and displays.
  • MIPI CSI-2 (Camera Serial Interface 2): a high-speed interface for connecting cameras.
  • SLVS-EC (Scalable Low-Voltage Signaling with Embedded Clock): a high-speed interface for connecting cameras.

It’s worth noting that the choice of aggregator will depend on the specific requirements of your application, including the type of cameras you are using, the resolution and frame rate of the video streams, and the distance between the cameras and the Orin AGX module.

Working around the 6 camera limitation

As you mentioned, virtual channels can be used to work around the 6 camera limitation. By using an aggregator, you can connect multiple cameras to a single CSI brick, and then use virtual channels to multiplex the camera data. This allows you to support more than 6 cameras concurrently.

However, it’s worth noting that using virtual channels and an aggregator will add complexity to your system, and may require additional software and hardware development. Additionally, the performance of the system may be affected by the use of virtual channels and an aggregator, so careful testing and validation will be required to ensure that the system meets your requirements.

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  1. It’s HW design Orin is the same with Xavier
  2. Yes
  3. Yes virtual channel can expand to 16 cameras. Virtual channel need aggregator like GMSL/Serdes for it.

Hi,

Just to append more information, yes the maximum physical CSI ports available to receive data simultaneously are 6. Be aware that these ports need to be configured as 2-lane CSI port to be able to use 6. Otherwise if if you use 4-lane configuration only 4 CSI ports could be used.

We have worked with GMSL and FPD-Link aggregators which allow to define virtual channels to support multiple sensors on the same CSI port. You’ll be able to support up to 16 virtual channels.

For example you can use 4 CSI ports receiving from 2 sensors per port. Also, a serdes devices allows to use larger cables keeping a stable signal integrity.

I leave you here some references about GMSL and FPD-link.

Embedded SW Engineer at RidgeRun
Contact us: support@ridgerun.com
Developers wiki: https://developer.ridgerun.com
Website: www.ridgerun.com

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Thanks for the insight so far.

One more question - is it possible to run 8x cameras via GMSL/virtual channels with the Orin AGX devkit? I’m seeing some vendors sell a 6x GMSL camera expansion board but no one has an 8x.

If it’s not possible, is it because of the way the MIPI/CSI lanes have been routed on the devkit?

Yes, AGX Orin can support 8 cameras by virtual channel.

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