Skip to main content

MIPI Camera Sample

Introduction

The MIPI camera sample is a Python API example under /app/pydev_demo/03_mipi_camera_sample that shows how to use the on-board MIPI camera for real-time object detection. It runs an FCOS model on the live stream and draws results on HDMI while printing boxes and FPS.

Demo

output-img

Hardware setup

Connections

  1. One RDK board
  2. Official compatible MIPI camera
  3. HDMI cable to a display
  4. Power and Ethernet

connect-img

Quick start

Code location on device

The sample file is /app/pydev_demo/03_mipi_camera_sample/mipi_camera.py.

Build and run

Python samples do not require compilation; run directly.

Sample output

After start, the program initializes the MIPI camera and HDMI, runs real-time detection, draws on HDMI, and prints detections and FPS in the console.

Details

Command-line options

No arguments are required; the on-board MIPI camera is detected automatically.

Software architecture

  1. Load the FCOS model
  2. Initialize the MIPI camera with srcampy.Camera()
  3. Initialize HDMI display
  4. Bind camera output to display
  5. Real-time loop: grab frame → infer → post-process → draw → print FPS

software_arch

API flow

API_Flow

FAQ

Q: Camera initialization fails.
A: Check the MIPI connection and drivers; reboot if needed.

Q: No or bad HDMI output.
A: Check HDMI and stop the desktop manager if required (systemctl stop lightdm).

Q: How to change the score threshold?
A: Edit fcos_postprocess_info.score_threshold (e.g. 0.5).

Q: How to change display resolution?
A: Adjust sensor_width / sensor_height if the monitor supports it.

Q: Low FPS.
A: Try a lighter model or lower capture resolution.

Q: How to save result images?
A: Add saving logic such as cv2.imwrite().

Q: How to add classes?
A: Update get_classes() and use a model trained for those classes.