Camera server dying with new MIPI extension cables.

[viralp]

Hello,

I received a shipment of MIPI extension cables (14.5 cm) few weeks ago. Turns out the camera server keeps dying when I use those cables. Before using the long extension cables, I rigged many small cables and tested but the camera server didn't die. This confirmed that the port on the voxl and the camera is not the issue. While connecting the new cable, the voxl-camera-server starts but dies after a short time (~ 15 secs).

Can you please help me with this issue and tell why this would happen. I'm handling the cable with extreme care and making sure that I don't bend it 90degs. But still a fresh piece right out the ESD bag does not work for a long time.

Can somebody please help me what to do?

Thanks

[Steve Turner]

@viralp Make sure you confirm the cable orientation remains the same as with the shorter cables. If the pins flip, the camera server will start and fail.

Also, sometimes interference at a certain length can cause issues. Also a debug log of the camera server would be helpful by running the camera server with the debug flag.

-d, --debug-level       : Log debug level (Default 2)
                      0 : Print verbose logs
                      1 : Print >= info logs
                      2 : Print >= warning logs
                      3 : Print only fatal logs

[Vinny]

Hi @viralp
Can you please send a picture of your setup?
Ideally if you have a "before" image (when you said it worked) and an "after" setup image.
If you revert back to the other cables, does your system still work as expected/before?

Thanks!

[Gary Holmgren]

I am having this exact issue, the rear stereo pair works fine and the camera server starts up without the extension cable and when booting up with the extension in place(correct pin orientation and cable direction) it fails. I have two brand new unused MIPI cables as well, both dont work...

[Alex Kushleyev]

@viralp , please let us know what camera you are actually connecting to the extension cable, which camera connector on VOXL2 you are using (J6, J7, or J8 and which part (upper or lower)).

VOXL 2 Camera Configs

ModalAI technical documentation for VOXL and VOXL 2 Companion Computers for PX4 and ArduPilot Obstacle Avoidance and GPS-denied navigation, assembled in the USA

ModalAI Technical Docs (docs.modalai.com)

Also which VOXL2 SDK you are using. Thanks.

Alex

[viralp]

@Alex-Kushleyev Sorry for the late response. I had this issue a long time ago. At the time I was working with IMX377 Hires camera from Modal AI and I was using Voxl1 and not Voxl2.

Unfortunately, I didn't find a reason for a single 14.5cm cable not working, but connecting two 6cm cables was working so I continued my testing with that.

Thanks!

[Moderator]

@viralp https://docs.modalai.com/image-sensor-flexes-adapters/#extending-mipi-image-sensor-cable-lengths