MIPI CSI-2 Intel® FPGA IP User Guide

ID 813926
Date 10/07/2024
Public
Document Table of Contents

4.3.6. Troubleshooting

In most instances the MIPI CSI-2 IP does not require active monitoring. If the video transfer is unreliable, you can try various steps to isolate the problem. Initially confirm that the build-time configuration of the MIPI D-PHY and MIPI CSI-2 IPs match those configured in your external MIPI source or sink. Also check that the Quartus Prime project pin assignments correlate with the PCB layout.

The CSI-2 IP passes no video until it receives five consecutive video frames with constant dimensions, which reduces the likelihood the IP produces corrupted video data. If the video input is unstable, you see no video output.

  1. For the receiver:
    1. Read the error IRQ status registers in the CSI-2 IP to determine whether the IP detected any errors on the incoming video stream.
    2. Check the CSI-2 IP VCx_VIDEO_DATA_TYPE registers record the most recent video data type received on each virtual channel. The registers show that video packets arriving at the CSI-2 input are of the expected data type and that the virtual channel ID in the video packets is correct. Registers reading zero, indicate the IP received no valid video packets on this channel.
    3. Check the VIDEO_INTFx_WIDTH/HEIGHT/COLOR_PATTERN registers in the CSI-2 IP record the most recent video data characteristics received from the MIPI source. If these registers fluctuate, check for a signal integrity issue on the MIPI transmission line to the FPGA. If these regsiters are incorrect but constant, check the configuration of the MIPI source.
    4. Check the VIDEO_INTFx_STABLE register indicates that video data on each channel remains active and has constant dimensions. Dimensions available in the registers above but with no stable flag indicate an unreliable input to the FPGA.
    5. Ensure that the AXI-S video streaming output from the CSI-2 IP can flow adequately, as you cannot use backpressure at the MIPI video input. If insufficient flow is available, receive buffers within the CSI-2 IP overflow and the PIP loses or corrupts data.
      • Monitor data flow with the Signal Tap logic analyzer and ensure sufficient bandwidth in general, by comparing the video line rate on the PPI between the D-PHY and CSI-2 IPs with that on the output of the CSI-2 IP. A lower CSI-2 line rate indicates insufficient flow.
      • To confirm, tie the output video AXI-S TREADY signals to logic ‘1’ and observe to see if the problem is resolved. If the problem is resolved, the system architecture does not support the required bandwidth. Select a higher number of pixels-in-parallel on the CSI-2 video output to increase the bandwidth (and update the downstream logic). Alternatively, change the downstream logic to reduce cycles where TREADY is not asserted to improve throughput.
  2. For the transmitter:
    1. Confirm that the video parameters are correct in the VIDEO_INTFx_WIDTH/HEIGHT/COLOR_PATTERN and VCx_LINE-BLANK/FRAME_BLANK registers in the CSI-2 IP.
    2. Check that the VCx_MODE_MATCH registers in the CSI-2 IP indicate that the incoming video dimensions match the configured values.
    3. Ensure that video flow into the IP is sufficient to provide enough video data to drive the output at the rate configured. If video data is not available to send at the configured line or frame interval, the IP skips video packets.
    4. Check error status in the MIPI sink in your system. Errors may indicate signal integrity issues.