Yocto dosdcard.sh Script Fails During MB2BCT Config Pre-processing

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing a crash error when attempting to flash a Yocto image onto an SD card for the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board. The issue occurs while following the Ridgerun instructions using the dosdcard.sh script. The error appears during the pre-processing of the mb2bct config, specifically when executing the dtc command to convert a device tree source file to a device tree blob.

The problem is observed on an Ubuntu 20.04 PC, and it prevents users from successfully flashing their Yocto image onto the SD card, hindering the development process for the Jetson Orin Nano.

Possible Causes

1. Incompatible or outdated device tree compiler (dtc): The error occurs specifically when running the dtc command, which could indicate an issue with the installed version or configuration of the device tree compiler.

2. Corrupted or incompatible device tree source file: The tegra234-mb2-bct-misc-p3767-0000.dts file may be corrupted or incompatible with the current system setup.

3. Insufficient permissions: Although the script is run with sudo, there might be permission issues related to accessing or modifying certain files or directories.

4. Incomplete or incorrect Yocto build: The Yocto image or associated files may not have been built correctly, leading to issues during the flashing process.

5. Incompatibility between the Yocto build and the Jetson Orin Nano hardware version: The built image might not be compatible with the specific hardware revision of the Jetson Orin Nano being used.

6. Environmental issues: There could be conflicts with other installed software or system configurations on the Ubuntu 20.04 PC that are interfering with the flashing process.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Update the device tree compiler:
   Ensure you have the latest version of the device tree compiler installed. Run the following commands:

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install device-tree-compiler
   

2. Verify the integrity of the device tree source file:
   Check if the tegra234-mb2-bct-misc-p3767-0000.dts file is present and not corrupted. You can try to manually compile it using:

   dtc -I dts -O dtb -o tegra234-mb2-bct-misc-p3767-0000.dtb tegra234-mb2-bct-misc-p3767-0000.dts
   

   If this command succeeds, the issue might be related to the script’s execution environment.

3. Check and adjust permissions:
   Ensure that your user has the necessary permissions to access and modify files in the working directory. You can try running:

   sudo chmod -R 755 /path/to/working/directory
   

4. Rebuild the Yocto image:
   If possible, try rebuilding the Yocto image from scratch, ensuring all dependencies are met and the build process completes without errors.

5. Verify hardware compatibility:
   Double-check that the Yocto image you’ve built is compatible with your specific Jetson Orin Nano hardware revision. Consult the Nvidia documentation for compatibility information.

6. Use a clean environment:
   Try running the flashing process on a fresh installation of Ubuntu 20.04 or in a virtual machine to rule out any system-specific conflicts.

7. Contact Ridgerun support:
   As suggested in the forum, reaching out to Ridgerun support might be necessary for more specific guidance, as they provided the dosdcard.sh script and instructions.

8. Check for updated flashing methods:
   Visit the official Nvidia Jetson documentation to see if there are any updated or alternative methods for flashing Yocto images onto the Jetson Orin Nano.

9. Examine script logs:
   Look for any log files generated by the dosdcard.sh script. These logs might provide more detailed information about the error, which could help in troubleshooting.

10. Try an alternative flashing method:
    If possible, attempt to flash the Yocto image using Nvidia’s official SDK Manager or other recommended tools to see if the issue is specific to the dosdcard.sh script.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, it may be necessary to file a bug report with both Ridgerun and Nvidia, providing detailed information about your setup, the exact steps taken, and any error messages or logs generated during the process.