Jetson Orin Nano series MIPI Streams & virtual Channels

Robotics & Edge Computing Jetson Systems Jetson Orin Nano
1

Hello,

I am trying to understand how to connect or handle different cameras to a Jetson Orin nano module.

Reading the datasheet, I see that MIPI-CSI supports up to 16 virtual channels, but then the Video Input (VI) says that in multicamera systems, may have up to six active streams. That means that even with 16 virtual channels only 6 can be received?

How does the streams work with the MIPI part, because without camera aggregator or virtual channels, the maximum MIPI streams is 4?

How many cameras using virtual channels can be retreived by the Jetson at the same time?

Thank you

3

*** Please note that this reply is generated by LLM automatically ***

To clarify the camera connection and streaming capabilities of the Jetson Orin Nano module, let’s break down the information provided in the datasheet.

The Jetson Orin Nano module supports up to 16 virtual channels with ISP (Image Signal Processor) or 24 virtual channels without ISP. However, in multicamera systems, the Video Input (VI) module can handle up to six active streams.

The MIPI CSI (Camera Serial Interface) interface on the Jetson Orin Nano module supports up to four dual-lane camera streams or two quad-lane camera streams. Each data lane has a peak bandwidth of up to 2.5 Gbps.

Without a camera aggregator or virtual channels, the maximum number of MIPI streams is indeed four. However, with the use of virtual channels, the Jetson Orin Nano module can support more cameras.

The CSI aggregator uses virtual channels to connect to multiple cameras over a single CSI connection. The Jetson AGX Orin VI muxer sends each camera frame to a different location in memory, and in software, each camera appears as a separate V4L2 device.

To answer your question, the Jetson Orin Nano module can retrieve up to 16 cameras using virtual channels at the same time, but only six active streams can be processed simultaneously by the Video Input (VI) module.

Here’s a comparison of the camera connection and streaming capabilities of the Jetson Orin Nano module:

  • Maximum MIPI streams without virtual channels: 4
  • Maximum virtual channels with ISP: 16
  • Maximum virtual channels without ISP: 24
  • Maximum active streams in multicamera systems: 6

In summary, the Jetson Orin Nano module can support up to 16 cameras using virtual channels, but only six active streams can be processed simultaneously by the Video Input (VI) module. The use of virtual channels and the CSI aggregator enables the Jetson Orin Nano module to support more cameras than the maximum number of MIPI streams without virtual channels.

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4

Helo Carolyuu,

When connecting 16 cameras using virtual channels, I have to control the acquisition of the frames, by software, to be only 6 at the time?

Do you know of any HW that aggregates 16 cameras with virtual channels, compatible with jetson nano models?

16 cameras is for Jetson Orin Nano models or only for AGX models?

Thank you

6

hello eduardo.bernal,

please refer to CSI Connectivity. it also depends you’ve Aggregator with or without ISP.
it needs actual MIPI CSI lanes to the connector if you utilize with ISP.

16 cameras is only for AGX Orin models, according to Jetson Orin NX Series and Orin Nano Series Design Guide, Orin Module brings eight MIPI CSI lanes to the connector. so, it supports 8-cam through virtual channel, in theory.