Installing Linux Kernel v6.12 on i.MX 8M Images

[Will_Robertson]

I was wondering if there are any instructions on upgrading the Linux kernel in the Ubuntu, Yocto or Debian images for the i.MX 8M to kernel v6.12 for development and test?

To use libcamera (the Linux library for interacting over the MIPI CSI-2 interface with modern camera modules) requires Linux kernel v6.12 or newer which include the kernel software for the ISP (Image Signal Processor) on the i.MX 8M - kernel versions before v6.12 don't have this.

Having the v6.12 kernel would be an enormous help to people developing and testing systems that use camera modules with the i.MX 8M and help make full use of the very powerful 4 lane MIPI CSI-2 interfaces and NPU (Neural Processing Unit) on the i.MX 8M.

We're currently using the Debix Model A i.MX 8M board for development and the Debix images which are based on NXP's images which use kernel v6.6.

Thank you very much for your help!

Will

[Manuel_Salas]

Hello @Will_Robertson 

I hope you are doing very well.

Unfortunately we have not documentation about how to test kernel versions out of the officials versions in the BSP.

The last official version is 6.6, you can find all the available versions here.

Best regards,

Salas.

[Will_Robertson]

Hi @Manuel_Salas 

Thank you very much.

Roughly when would the next set of images with the v6.12 kernel be expected to be available as a preview for test and development purposes or an upgrade path to kernel v6.12 for test and development purposes (not production) from NXP? (I know this is a very complex task and so any expected timescales would only be very appropriate.)

Is there any guidance that I could use to build an upstream (e.g. v6.12) kernel source together with any patches, etc. needed for i.MX 8M?

Thank you very much for your help!

Will

[Manuel_Salas]

Hello @Will_Robertson 

At final of Q1, the Linux BSP will update the kernel version and it appears to be the 6.12.

Best regards,

Salas.

[Will_Robertson]

Hello @Manuel_Salas 

Thank you very much,.

That's wonderful to know that the Linux BSP will be updated to kernel v6.12 at the end of Q1!

The upgrade to kernel v6.12 will be an enormous benefit to people using the ISP (Image Signal Processor) on the i.MX 8 for real time camera input and neural network inferencing.

Many thanks!

Will