Best Practices for Integrating Vision Sensors into NVIDIA Jetson Edge Applications

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. NVIDIA Jetson Modules
3. Developer Kits and Production Modules
4. Challenges of Integrating Vision Technology
5. Vision Interface Options
   • Gigabit Ethernet (GigE)
   • USB
   • MIPI CSI
   • FPD-Link and GMSL
6. Hardware Strategies for Deployment
   • Off-the-Shelf Solutions
   • Modification Services
   • Customized Solutions
7. Connect Tech's Vision Solutions
8. Conclusion
9. Resources

💡 Highlights

• NVIDIA Jetson modules are designed for edge AI systems and come in various performance levels.
• Integrating vision technology is crucial for successful development of Jetson-based solutions.
• Vision interface options include Gigabit Ethernet, USB, MIPI CSI, FPD-Link, and GMSL.
• Off-the-shelf, modified, or customized hardware strategies can be chosen for deployment.
• Connect Tech offers a wide range of vision solutions with verified camera support and engineering services.

🚀 Vision Technology Integration for NVIDIA Jetson: Best Practices and Challenges

​Hello everyone! My name is Rob Callahan, and I'm the Director of Technical Services here at Connect Tech. In today's session, we're going to delve deeper into the world of vision and sensor technologies. Specifically, we'll be discussing the steps and best practices for integrating vision technology into NVIDIA Jetson-based edge applications. Before we jump into the nitty-gritty, let me give you a brief introduction to NVIDIA's lineup of production-grade Jetson modules.

1️⃣ Introduction

NVIDIA Jetson modules are software-defined and offer a range of features that make designing edge AI systems easier. Each module is equipped with a GPU, CPU, memory, I/O, and sensor interfaces, providing a power-efficient platform for AI applications. What's impressive about the Jetson family is that they all utilize the same GPU architecture used for training AI models, but in a smaller and more energy-efficient Package. This uniformity in software across all modules ensures compatibility and enables developers to seamlessly transfer their applications between different Jetson devices.

2️⃣ NVIDIA Jetson Modules

The Jetson family is diverse, with modules varying in performance to suit different applications and scenarios. At one end of the spectrum, we have the NVIDIA Jetson Nano, boasting half a teraflop performance at just 5 watts. On the other end, we have the powerful Jetson AGX Xavier, offering up to 11 teraflops of performance at 30 watts. These modules, including the Jetson NX series, are incredibly compact, some even smaller than a credit card. Moreover, they are Pin-compatible, allowing for greater flexibility as performance needs and application requirements evolve.

3️⃣ Developer Kits and Production Modules

For those new to the Jetson platform or those trying to determine which module best suits their requirements, starting with a developer kit is the way to go. Developer kits provide the ideal environment for lab development but are not meant for field deployment. When transitioning from development to production, customers often face a new set of challenges. Developer kits come with a reference carrier board and minimal connectivity, while production modules consist of the AI chip without any peripheral technology. To deploy on production-grade hardware, customers need to develop or select a carrier board or system that aligns with their application's I/O requirements.

⭐ Pros:

• Developer kits provide an excellent starting point for lab development.
• Production modules offer flexibility and customization options with carrier board selection or development.
• Transitioning from a developer kit to production hardware allows for finer optimization and real-world testing.

⭐ Cons:

• Developer kits cannot be field-deployed and require additional hardware selection or development for production use.
• Availability, support, and warranty associated with the production-level hardware are not guaranteed by NVIDIA.

4️⃣ Challenges of Integrating Vision Technology

Integration of image sensors and vision technology is a critical aspect of developing Jetson-based solutions. While each edge application handles various sensor inputs, the successful integration of vision sensors is paramount. Customers often encounter challenges when integrating sensors into their applications. Questions regarding vision interfaces and mechanical integration problems are common. To address these challenges, NVIDIA has built a robust ecosystem of vision-based partners. Connect Tech, being an elite NVIDIA partner, has worked closely with major manufacturers in the camera sensor partner ecosystem.

⭐ Pros:

• NVIDIA's ecosystem of vision-based partners ensures sensor compatibility and a wide range of sensor options.
• Pre-qualified partners guarantee reliable and optimized sensor integration for Jetson-based applications.

⭐ Cons:

• The integration of vision sensors can introduce mechanical challenges, requiring careful consideration of form factors and connectors.
• Depending on the chosen vision interface, additional latency and complexity may be introduced.

📷 Vision Interface Options

Now, let's dive into the various vision interface options available for integrating image sensors with Jetson-based applications. The following interfaces will be discussed in detail: Gigabit Ethernet (GigE), USB, MIPI CSI, FPD-Link, and GMSL.

5️⃣ Gigabit Ethernet (GigE)

Gigabit Ethernet is an interface that leverages existing infrastructure and protocols to ingest image data into the application. With GigE, minimal low-level modification is required, making it a plug-and-play solution. Additionally, Gigabit Ethernet has the advantage of supporting longer cable lengths compared to other methods. However, it's important to consider potential latency introduced by the protocol. The cost of GigE cameras may also be higher compared to other interface options.

6️⃣ USB

USB is another widely used interface for vision applications. Similar to GigE, USB interfaces rely on existing protocol standards and infrastructure, allowing for easy integration at the application level. USB cameras are cost-effective and readily available. However, they may introduce additional latency and overhead compared to direct MIPI sensors. USB cameras are a great choice for edge deployments as long as the latency and protocol overhead are within acceptable limits.

7️⃣ MIPI CSI

MIPI CSI (Mobile Industry Processor Interface Camera Serial Interface) is a high-speed image sensor interface widely used in mobile devices. It provides direct access to the ISP (Image Signal Processor) for raw image processing and tuning. MIPI CSI offers low latency, high-speed data transfer, and high-resolution flexibility. However, the limited cable length for MIPI sensors can be challenging. Additionally, the variety of physical hardware connectors and vendor-specific drivers require low-level software configuration and development.

8️⃣ FPD-Link and GMSL

FPD-Link and GMSL (Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link) are camera serializer protocols initially developed for the automotive sector. These protocols have gained popularity in general edge applications due to their flexibility and extended cable length support. FPD-Link and GMSL essentially convert multi-lane MIPI data into a single-stream transmission, reducing cable weight and complexity. The protocols allow for longer cable lengths without sacrificing data rates. However, choosing FPD-Link or GMSL requires additional hardware integration work and driver development to ensure compatibility with the targeted sensors.

⭐ Pros:

• Gigabit Ethernet and USB interfaces leverage existing infrastructure, offering simple integration and readily available hardware.
• MIPI CSI provides high-speed, low-latency access to raw image data and direct ISP tuning capability.
• FPD-Link and GMSL protocols enable longer cable lengths and Simplified cabling while maintaining direct processor access and bandwidth.

⭐ Cons:

• Gigabit Ethernet and USB interfaces may introduce additional latency and have potential cost implications.
• MIPI CSI sensors have cable length limitations, and low-level software configuration is necessary for compatibility.
• FPD-Link and GMSL interfaces require hardware integration work and driver development, adding complexity to the integration process.

Continue to Part 2...