V4l2 device not initializing

[OlegErmolaev]

First of all I initialized media device to be as v4l2 device with the following command:

sudo media-ctl --device /dev/media1 --set-v4l2 '"ov5640 2-003c":0[fmt:YUYV8_2X8/640x480]'

Command succeed, media-ctl has the following output

pi@banana:~$ media-ctl -p -d /dev/media1
Media controller API version 5.10.43

Media device information
------------------------
driver          sun6i-csi
model           Allwinner Video Capture Device
serial          
bus info        platform:1cb0000.camera
hw revision     0x0
driver version  5.10.43

Device topology
- entity 1: sun6i-csi (1 pad, 1 link)
            type Node subtype V4L flags 0
            device node name /dev/video1
    pad0: Sink
        <- "ov5640 2-003c":0 [ENABLED]

- entity 5: ov5640 2-003c (1 pad, 1 link)
            type V4L2 subdev subtype Sensor flags 0
            device node name /dev/v4l-subdev0
    pad0: Source
        [fmt:YUYV8_2X8/640x480@1/30 colorspace:srgb xfer:srgb ycbcr:601 quantization:full-range]
        -> "sun6i-csi":0 [ENABLED]

/dev/video1 also is been created, but unfortunately I can't see device with v4l2-ctl

Due to dmesg I have the register error:

pi@banana:~$ dmesg | grep ov5640
[    7.473763] sun6i-csi 1cb0000.camera: creating ov5640 2-003c:0 -> sun6i-csi:0 link
[    8.069158] ov5640 2-003c: ov5640_read_reg: error: reg=300a
[    8.069175] ov5640 2-003c: ov5640_set_power_on: failed to read chip identifier

Camera seems to be strangely initialized on the bus, without 100% correct address 0x3c

pi@banana:~$ sudo i2cdetect -y 2
     0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  a  b  c  d  e  f
00:          -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 
10: -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 
20: -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 
30: -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- UU -- -- -- 
40: -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 
50: -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 
60: -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 
70: -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --       

Finally:

• what should I try to get image from camera?
• if I make aptitude update with upgrade the csi device gets out from the bus

[Uiopio]

Ooooh, this is exactly what I was looking for, damn it. Just an incredible problem. Would like to get an answer as soon as possible!!!

[Qengineering]

Unfortunately, there are two versions of the OV5640 connector. Since they have 24 pins, they both fit in the camera slot. However, the pin numbers are reversed. You will get issues like above if you use the wrong connector. The i2c communication with the sensor fails hence the errors in dmesg.

[codingCoffee]

I'm facing the exact same error, and logs as posted @OlegErmolaev However, I can confirm that my camera's connector is the 1st type, i.e. 1 --- 24 Also, this seems to be an intermittent error, unable to perfectly reproduce it. Sometimes it works, and most times it throws the errors as mentioned.

[codingCoffee]

When the camera is working properly these are the results

pi@banana:~$ media-ctl -p -d /dev/media1
Media controller API version 5.10.43

Media device information
------------------------
driver          sun6i-csi
model           Allwinner Video Capture Device
serial
bus info        platform:1cb0000.camera
hw revision     0x0
driver version  5.10.43

Device topology
- entity 1: sun6i-csi (1 pad, 1 link)
            type Node subtype V4L flags 0
            device node name /dev/video1
        pad0: Sink
                <- "ov5640 2-003c":0 [ENABLED]

- entity 5: ov5640 2-003c (1 pad, 1 link)
            type V4L2 subdev subtype Sensor flags 0
            device node name /dev/v4l-subdev0
        pad0: Source
                [fmt:UYVY8_2X8/640x480@1/30 field:none colorspace:srgb xfer:srgb ycbcr:601 quantization:full-range]
                -> "sun6i-csi":0 [ENABLED]

pi@banana:~$ dmesg | grep ov5640
[    7.753658] sun6i-csi 1cb0000.camera: creating ov5640 2-003c:0 -> sun6i-csi:0 link
pi@banana:~$ sudo i2cdetect -y 2
     0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  a  b  c  d  e  f
00:          -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
10: -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
20: -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
30: -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- UU -- -- --
40: -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
50: -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
60: -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
70: -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
pi@banana:~$ v4l2-ctl --list-devices
sun6i-csi (platform:camera):
        /dev/video1

cedrus (platform:cedrus):
        /dev/video0

The only difference I've seen in testing is potentially the temprature of the pi (cool when it's working) and the HDMI connection (connected when working). Probably unrelated events, but mentinoing them just the same

[OlegErmolaev]

Unfortunately, there are two versions of the OV5640 connector. Since they have 24 pins, they both fit in the camera slot. However, the pin numbers are reversed. You will get issues like above if you use the wrong connector. The i2c communication with the sensor fails hence the errors in dmesg.

Unfortunately it seems to be true and I've wrong type of connector. Will try to get correct camera and type the results

[NekoCWD]

As i know CSI connector is double-sided. Can flip camera connector??

[Qengineering]

@NekoCWD,

Be careful! The connector is not double sided! On one side you get gold plated copper fingers. On the other side you have a transparent folio carrying the wires (and fingers)

[NekoCWD]

@Qengineering, I mean connector on board. It's double sided

[Qengineering]

@NekoCWD,

The connector on the PCB is not double sided (just as the cable). The side mounted on the PCB holds the pins. The opposite side has no electrical connections.