Query on OV9281 Stereo Camera Support on Jetson Xavier NX / Orin NX

Robotics & Edge Computing Jetson Systems Jetson Xavier NX
1

Hi Team,

I am planning to integrate an OV9281 stereo camera with Jetson Xavier NX and Orin NX platforms for a custom embedded vision application.

I would like to understand the following:

  1. Whether the OV9281 sensor is officially supported on both Jetson Xavier NX and Orin NX platforms.

  2. I noticed that OV9281 driver support (CONFIG_NV_VIDEO_OV9281) is present in the Jetson Linux kernel sources. Could you please confirm if this driver is fully supported and usable for bring-up on these platforms?

  3. Are there any reference device tree configurations, sample drivers, or bring-up guides specifically available for OV9281?

  4. If OV9281 is not officially supported, could you suggest the recommended approach for integrating this sensor (e.g., adapting an existing V4L2 driver or using partner-supported modules)?

It would be very helpful if you could share:

  • Relevant documentation links

  • Reference drivers or sample implementations

  • Any recommended camera partners supporting OV9281

Thank you for your support.

Best regards,
Sunim

3

You need to implement the driver and device tree.

Have reference to the document for the sensor bring up.

4

Thanks for the guide you shared but I would like to know is their any jetpack version or any SOM xaviernx or either orin nx supports 0V9281 or their any driver available in the kernel source nv_OV9281.c ?

5

Doesn’t verify nv_OV9281.c on Jetson ever.

6

Is there any dtsi file for 0V9281 in the kernel source ?

7

Sorry to tell nop, but in the forum may have someone share.

8

I found one link which shows nvidia som supports 0V9281 Sensor

https://www.arducam.com/arducam-ov9281-mipi-1mp-monochrome-global-shutter-ir-camera-module-for-jetson-board.html

9

No, we don’t have support this. You may check with the vendor to get the customized driver the it.

Thanks

10

L4T does not provide native support for the OV9281 sensor. However, if you are interested in developing a driver for it, you can refer to an existing driver implementation available here:

This driver source cannot be used directly on Jetson because it is implemented as a standard V4L2 driver. While Jetson internally relies on V4L2, its camera stack is built on top of the Tegracam framework and the Camera Common API, which abstract and extend V4L2 functionality.

For this reason, the driver must be ported to the Jetson camera framework. This typically involves adapting it to the Tegracam interface and integrating it with the Camera Common layer.

A recommended approach is to use one of the existing Jetson sensor drivers as a reference (for example, imx219 or imx477) and follow NVIDIA’s official guide to implement the required changes:

https://docs.nvidia.com/jetson/archives/l4t-archived/l4t-3275/index.html#page/Tegra%20Linux%20Driver%20Package%20Development%20Guide/camera_sensor_prog.48.1.html#

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

11

I am currently using the Waveshare OV9281 monochrome global shutter MIPI camera with Jetson Xavier NX (JetPack 5.x / kernel 5.x) and need some guidance for sensor bring-up.

From my current understanding:

  • On Jetson Nano (JetPack 4.x / kernel 4.9), OV9281 driver support is available in the public kernel source / BSP.

  • On Jetson Xavier NX (JetPack 5.x / kernel 5.10), I am unable to find an OV9281 driver in the public kernel source.

I would like to clarify the following:

  1. Can the OV9281 driver from JetPack 4.x (kernel 4.9) be reused or ported to JetPack 5.x (kernel 5.10)?
    If yes, what are the key framework/API changes to consider?

  2. Does the driver need to be reworked to align with the newer tegracam / V4L2 framework architecture used in JetPack 5.x?
    Specifically, are there required changes in:

    • probe structure

    • control ops

    • power sequencing

    • subdev integration

    • device tree bindings

  3. Is there any existing .dtsi / reference device tree file available for OV9281 on Xavier NX / JetPack 5.x?
    Even a reference from another supported platform would be very helpful.

  4. Has anyone already brought up OV9281 on Xavier NX with JetPack 5.x?
    If yes, could you please suggest whether a public patch / reference driver is available?

Any guidance on driver porting and DT integration would be highly appreciated.

12

Hello, I figured out one more thing and I found driver file for 0V9281 in the L4T version 35.6.1 jetpack 5.1.5 in the kernel source.

My question:

  1. Is nvidia by default supported 0V9281 sensor ?
  2. Do I use this driver for bringup of Waveshare OV9281 cam sensor ?

It would be a great help for me to understand the purpose of driver file in the kernel source.

Thanks in advance..

13
  1. No, NVIDIA default BSP don’t support OV9281
  2. You may checking with Waveshare.

Thanks

14

As I can see in jetpack 5.1.5 kernel source driver is present under /media/i2c

image
image118Ă—127 2.62 KB

Could you please guide me how do I use this driver to support 0V9281.

15

Have check below document to implement the driver.

Also you need consult with the vendor to know the HW design for the POWER/RESET/STANDBY pin to implement the driver.

16

Could you please provide me a link for OV9281 device tree file present in the discussion forum.

17

Sorry to tell we don’t have it.

Thanks

19

Have a look at this : GitHub - FRC-Team-4143/ov9281kernelmods: Innomaker ov9281 mipi camera Nvidia Jetson driver · GitHub