This article addresses slow Ethernet transmission speeds experienced when using a Jetson Xavier NX to stream data from an Azure Kinect camera to another system. We’ll analyze iperf3 test results and ethtool output to diagnose the issue and explore potential solutions.
The goal is to achieve faster data transmission between the Jetson Xavier NX and a laptop for efficient point cloud streaming. Initial tests using iperf3 revealed significantly slower transmission speeds when the Jetson acted as the client compared to when it acted as the server, and compared to transmission speeds between two regular laptops.
Analyzing iperf3 Test Results
The iperf3 tests highlighted a significant disparity in transmission speeds:
- Jetson as Server: ~735 Mbits/sec
- Jetson as Client: ~136 Mbits/sec
- Laptop to Laptop: ~942 Mbits/sec
The substantial difference between the Jetson’s performance as a server versus a client suggests a potential bottleneck in the Jetson’s transmission capabilities. The laptop-to-laptop test confirms that the network infrastructure itself is capable of higher speeds. This discrepancy points to the Jetson as the likely source of the slow transmission.
Examining ethtool Output
The ethtool eth0 output on the Jetson indicates:
- Speed: 1000Mb/s
- Duplex: Full
- Auto-negotiation: on
- Link detected: yes
While these settings appear correct for a Gigabit Ethernet connection, they don’t explain the slow client-side transmission. The ethtool output confirms a properly negotiated Gigabit connection, ruling out fundamental link speed or duplex mismatches. However, it doesn’t provide insight into potential driver issues, CPU limitations, or other system-level bottlenecks that might be affecting transmission performance.
Potential Solutions to Improve Transmission
Several factors could be contributing to the slow transmission speed. Consider the following troubleshooting steps:
- Driver Updates: Ensure the Jetson Xavier NX has the latest network drivers installed. Outdated or incorrectly configured drivers can significantly impact performance. Check NVIDIA’s official website for the most recent drivers for your specific Jetson board and kernel version.
- CPU Load: High CPU utilization on the Jetson could limit its ability to process and transmit data efficiently. Monitor CPU usage during the
iperf3tests. If the CPU is consistently near maximum capacity, optimizing the point cloud processing or offloading tasks to another processor could improve transmission speed. - Network Configuration: Verify network settings on both the Jetson and the receiving laptop. Incorrect MTU settings, flow control issues, or other network misconfigurations could be contributing to the problem. Consult your network documentation for recommended settings.
- Cable and Hardware: While the
ethtooloutput suggests a good link, try a different Ethernet cable to rule out cable problems. Also, inspect the physical Ethernet port on both the Jetson and the laptop for any damage. - Software Optimization: Investigate potential optimizations in the point cloud processing and streaming software. Inefficient code or data handling can create bottlenecks that limit transmission speed.
Conclusion
Slow transmission speeds on a Jetson Xavier NX can hinder real-time applications like point cloud streaming. By analyzing iperf3 and ethtool data, we’ve identified the Jetson’s client-side transmission as the likely bottleneck. Exploring potential solutions such as driver updates, CPU load management, network configuration checks, and software optimization can help pinpoint the root cause and improve transmission performance. Addressing these potential issues systematically will likely lead to a resolution and enable the desired data throughput for efficient point cloud streaming.
