IMX477 camera on Jetson Nano not detecting 740nm, 800nm, 940nm infrared light

Nvidia Jetson Cameras
1

Hi all, I’m having trouble getting infrared vision working on my IMX477 camera connected to a Jetson Nano. My understanding was that the IMX477 can see without visible light, around 800nm near-IR. I’ve been shining 740nm, 800nm, and 940nm IR lights around the room, but the camera doesn’t pick any of it up — all I get is pixels/noise on the image. Is there a setting somewhere I need to configure to enable IR mode?

2

Before digging into settings, can you tell me the exact camera model you have? There are several IMX477 variants out there, and whether IR works at all depends a lot on the hardware — specifically the IR-cut filter.

3

Sure. I bought the Arducam High Quality Complete USB Camera Bundle — 12MP 1/2.3 inch IMX477 module with a 6mm CS mount lens, metal enclosure, tripod and USB cable, model B0280. I was also looking at a similar one, the Uctronics Arducam 12MP IMX477 IR-CUT Filter Auto Switch Camera for Jetson Nano/XavierNX (B0274), and that one explicitly lists night vision support. I figured since it’s the same sensor, mine should be able to do the same thing, but I have no idea how to actually get the IR/night vision working.

4

That’s the key difference. The B0274 has an IR-cut filter auto-switch plate — that plate automatically moves the IR-cut filter in and out depending on the lighting conditions, which is what gives it night vision. The B0280 bundle you have does not include that auto-switch plate. So even though it’s the same IMX477 sensor, the B0280 can’t produce a usable image in a dark room or under IR illumination.

5

Ah okay, that makes sense. But is there really nothing I can do from the software side? Like a v4l2 setting, driver flag, or some ISP config to at least make it more sensitive to IR?

6

Unfortunately no — this isn’t something a setting can fix. The B0280 hardware simply lacks the IR-cut filter auto-switch, so no v4l2 option, driver flag, or ISP config will enable night vision on it. The pixel-only noise you’re seeing under 740/800/940nm IR is exactly what happens without that auto-switch plate.

To summarize: night vision on these IMX477 cameras comes from the IR-cut filter auto-switch hardware, not from software. That plate moves the IR-cut filter automatically based on lighting, switching between day and night/IR modes. Your B0280 doesn’t include it, so it can’t see in the dark or under IR. You’d need a model with the auto-switch plate, like the B0274.

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