Orin Nano MCU on Development Kit

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties in replacing the functionality of the MCU that manages the reset line, sleep, and shutdown requests on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano development kit. The main symptoms include confusion regarding the optional use of specific pins: SLEEP/WAKE, SHUTDOWN_REQ, and MOD_SLEEP. This issue arises during the design phase of custom development kits, where users need to implement a logic circuit to handle power sequencing as per the design guide. The problem appears to be consistent among multiple users, affecting their ability to properly manage power states and system shutdowns, which can lead to operational inefficiencies in their projects.

Possible Causes

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: If the hardware design does not meet the specifications outlined in the design guide, it may lead to issues with power sequencing.
• Software Bugs or Conflicts: Incompatibilities between the software running on the Orin Nano and the logic circuit designed by users could cause unexpected behavior.
• Configuration Errors: Incorrect configurations when setting up the MCU functionality may prevent proper operation of sleep and shutdown features.
• Driver Issues: Outdated or incorrect drivers may not support the required functionalities for managing power states.
• Environmental Factors: Improper voltage levels or unstable power supply could impact the performance of the MCU.
• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Misunderstanding the design guide or failing to follow recommended practices could lead to incorrect implementations.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Review Design Guide:

   • Ensure that all components and connections adhere to specifications outlined in the Nvidia Design Guide. Pay special attention to power sequencing requirements.

2. Design Logic Circuit:

   • Create a logic circuit that adheres to the required power sequences. Reference diagrams from the design guide for clarity.

3. Pin Usage Verification:

   • Confirm whether using pins SLEEP/WAKE, SHUTDOWN_REQ, and MOD_SLEEP is mandatory for your application. According to user replies, SHUTDOWN_REQ must be included in your design.

4. Testing with Different Configurations:

   • Isolate issues by testing with different hardware setups. For example, try using a different carrier board if available.

5. Check Power Supply:

   • Ensure that your power supply meets the specifications (e.g., 5V-2A for Nano or 9-19V for Orin Nano). Verify that connections are secure and correctly polarized.

6. Update Software and Drivers:

   • Make sure that you are using the latest version of JetPack and related drivers. Follow instructions for updating firmware if necessary.

7. Use SDK Manager for Flashing:

   • If issues persist, use NVIDIA SDK Manager to flash your Jetson Orin Nano with JetPack 5 instead of JetPack 6, as some users reported stability issues with JetPack 6 being in developer preview.

8. Enter Recovery Mode:

   • To troubleshoot further, enter recovery mode by shorting specific pins (e.g., pins 9 and 10) while powering on the device. This allows you to access bootloader options.

9. Collect Logs for Support:

   • If problems continue after these steps, gather logs from SDK Manager using the “EXPORT LOGS” feature for further analysis by support teams.

10. Community Support:

    • Engage with community forums or Discord channels dedicated to Jetson development for additional troubleshooting tips and shared experiences from other users.

By following these steps, users can systematically diagnose and resolve issues related to MCU functionality on their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano development kits.