How to Enable TC358743 on Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties enabling the TC358743 driver on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board while working with Jetpack 6.0 on L4T 36.3. The main symptoms include:

• Missing Menu Options: Users report that the expected "Video decoders" menu is absent in the kernel configuration, making it unclear how to enable the TC358743 module.
• Compilation Issues: After following the kernel customization steps, some users find that their compiled Image file is smaller than expected and does not support video output or SSH access.
• Boot Problems: Some users report that after modifying the kernel configuration, their devices boot to a command line without network or video functionality.

The issue occurs during the setup of the development environment and kernel customization, specifically when attempting to enable certain multimedia drivers. Users have reported this issue consistently, indicating a significant impact on their ability to utilize the board effectively.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes for these issues have been identified:

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect use of make menuconfig commands or missing parameters such as ARCH=arm64 can lead to incomplete kernel configurations.
• Driver Issues: The absence of necessary drivers in the kernel configuration may prevent proper operation of connected devices.
• Kernel Compilation Conflicts: Users may be compiling with different configurations or missing steps, leading to inconsistencies in the resulting Image files.
• Environmental Factors: Inconsistent hardware setups or power supply issues may complicate the successful booting and operation of the board.

Each of these causes could lead to the observed problems, particularly in relation to missing functionalities and compilation errors.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To diagnose and resolve these issues, follow these comprehensive troubleshooting steps:

1. Correct Command Usage:

   • Ensure you are using the correct command to enter menu configuration:

     make ARCH=arm64 menuconfig
     

2. Kernel Configuration:

   • Navigate through the menu to enable TC358743:
     • Go to Device Drivers > Multimedia support > Media ancillary drivers > Video decoders > TC358743.
     • Set it to ‘M’ (module).

3. Recompile Kernel:

   • After saving your configuration, compile the kernel using:

     make -j8 ARCH=arm64 Image
     

   • Ensure you are building with the correct configuration file:

     make ARCH=arm64 tegra_prod_defconfig
     

4. Install Modules:

   • To build and install necessary modules, use:

     make ARCH=arm64 modules
     sudo make modules_install
     

5. Copy Kernel Image:

   • After compiling, copy the new Image file to your device:

     scp /path/to/your/compiled/Image user@orin:/boot/Image
     

6. Check for Errors:

   • If your board fails to boot correctly, check dmesg logs for any error messages related to driver loading:

     dmesg | grep tc358743
     

7. Review Makefile Settings:

   • Ensure that your Makefile includes necessary configurations for LOCALVERSION and other parameters that might affect driver loading.

8. Best Practices:

   • Always back up your current configurations before making changes.
   • Document each step taken during troubleshooting for future reference.

9. Refer to Documentation:

   • Utilize NVIDIA’s official documentation for further guidance on kernel customization and troubleshooting specific features.

10. Community Support:

    • Engage with community forums for additional insights or solutions that other users may have found effective.

Note on Unresolved Aspects

Some users have reported ongoing issues with compiling usable Image files despite following these steps. Areas needing further investigation include:

• The impact of different kernel configurations on device functionality.
• Potential bugs in Jetpack 6.0 that may affect driver compatibility.
• The need for clearer documentation regarding kernel customization processes.

By following these steps and utilizing community resources, users can better navigate the complexities of enabling specific drivers on their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev boards.