TEEC_InitializeContext Failed on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing an error when trying to run the OP-TEE "Hello World" example on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board. The specific error message is TEEC_InitializeContext failed with code 0xffff0008, which indicates a failure in initializing the Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) context. This issue occurs during the execution of the command ./optee_example_hello_world, following the setup of the TEE environment. Users have reported that they are using Jetson Linux version 35.5 and have followed the relevant documentation for both OP-TEE and Nvidia’s developer guide, but still encounter this error. The problem seems to be inconsistent, as some users have managed to run similar commands successfully with elevated privileges (using sudo), while others continue to face errors.

Possible Causes

1. Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: There may be issues related to the specific hardware configuration or defects in the Orin Nano board itself.
2. Software Bugs or Conflicts: Bugs in the OP-TEE implementation or conflicts with other software running on the device could lead to initialization failures.
3. Configuration Errors: Incorrect configuration of the TEE environment or missing components (like drivers) could prevent successful initialization.
4. Driver Issues: The OP-TEE driver may not be loaded correctly, or there could be compatibility issues with the current kernel version.
5. Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or overheating could impact performance and lead to initialization failures.
6. User Errors or Misconfigurations: Incorrect commands or steps taken during setup could lead to problems that prevent successful execution of the program.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify TEE Driver Loading:

   • Ensure that the OP-TEE driver is loaded correctly:

     sudo modprobe optee_armtz
     

   • Check if tee-supplicant is running:

     sudo systemctl start tee-supplicant
     

2. Run with Elevated Privileges:

   • If you encounter errors while running commands normally, try executing them with sudo:

     sudo ./optee_example_hello_world
     

3. Check for Running Processes:

   • Use commands like ps aux | grep tee-supplicant to verify if the TEE supplicant is running as expected.

4. Review Logs for Errors:

   • Check logs for any additional error messages that can provide insight into what might be failing:

     cat /var/log/syslog | grep optee
     

5. Revisit Documentation:

   • Double-check both OP-TEE and Nvidia’s documentation to ensure all steps were followed correctly, especially regarding environment setup.

6. Test Different Configurations:

   • If possible, try running different versions of JetPack or Jetson Linux to see if the issue persists across versions.

7. Firmware and Driver Updates:

   • Make sure all firmware and drivers are up-to-date by checking Nvidia’s official resources for any updates related to Jetson Orin Nano.

8. Community Support and Forums:

   • Engage with community forums for additional insights or similar experiences from other users who may have resolved this issue.

9. Contact Nvidia Support:

   • If none of the above solutions work, consider reaching out to Nvidia support for more specialized assistance regarding your specific setup.

10. Best Practices for Future Prevention:

    • Maintain a clean installation environment by regularly updating your system and following best practices outlined in official documentation.
    • Document any changes made during troubleshooting to avoid repeating mistakes in future setups.

This document summarizes common issues encountered while working with the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board and provides actionable steps for troubleshooting and resolving these problems effectively.