No Sound Output on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board After Porting RT5616

Issue Overview

Users have reported issues with sound output on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board after attempting to port the RT5616 audio codec. The main symptoms include:

• No sound output despite modifications made to several device tree source files: tegra234-soc-i2c.dtsi.txt, tegra234-p3767-common-audio.dtsi.log, tegra234-soc-audio.dtsi.log, and rt5616.c.log.
• The issue occurs during normal operation after these modifications, specifically when trying to use audio functionalities.
• Users have provided debugging information from logs, including dmesg.log and outputs from commands like cat /proc/asound/cards and amixer.
• The problem appears to be consistent, as multiple users have experienced similar results after making the same changes.
• Impact on user experience includes an inability to utilize audio features, which may hinder applications requiring sound output.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes for the lack of sound output have been identified:

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: The RT5616 codec may not be fully compatible with the Jetson Orin Nano’s hardware architecture.
• Software Bugs or Conflicts: There might be bugs in the driver or conflicts arising from the modifications made to the device tree files.
• Configuration Errors: Incorrect configurations in the modified files could prevent proper initialization of the audio codec.
• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers could lead to failure in recognizing or utilizing the audio hardware.
• Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or overheating could affect performance and functionality, although less likely in this context.
• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Missteps during the modification process may lead to improper settings that inhibit audio output.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address the sound output issue on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Verify Hardware Connections:

   • Ensure all hardware components are correctly connected and functioning. Check for any loose connections or damaged components.

2. Check Device Tree Modifications:

   • Review the changes made to the device tree source files for accuracy. Ensure that all necessary nodes are correctly defined and that there are no syntax errors.

3. Revert to Original Configuration:

   • Temporarily revert any changes made to the device tree files to determine if sound output is restored. This can help isolate whether the issue stems from recent modifications.

4. Update Drivers:

   • Ensure that you are using the latest drivers compatible with your Jetson Orin Nano. Use commands like:

     sudo apt update
     sudo apt upgrade
     

5. Test Audio Output:

   • Use speaker-test to verify audio functionality:

     speaker-test -D hw:APE,0 -r 48000 -c 1 -F S32_LE -t sine -f 1000
     

   • Monitor output for any error messages.

6. Check Mixer Settings:

   • Verify mixer settings using amixer commands:

     amixer -c2 cset name="I2S2 Mux" "ADMAIF2"
     amixer -c2 cset name="DAC MIXL INF1 Switch" 1
     amixer -c2 cset name="HPO MIX DAC1 Switch" 1
     

   • Ensure all necessary switches are set to ‘on’.

7. Review Kernel Logs:

   • Check kernel logs for any relevant error messages related to audio devices using:

     dmesg | grep snd_soc
     

8. Consult Documentation and Forums:

   • Refer to Nvidia’s official documentation for additional guidance on configuring audio codecs with the Jetson platform.
   • Engage with community forums for insights from other users who may have faced similar issues.

9. Consider Alternative Codecs or Boards:

   • If problems persist, consider testing with a different audio codec known to work with the Jetson Orin Nano or using an official Nvidia carrier board.

10. Report Unresolved Issues:

    • If none of these steps resolve the issue, consider documenting your findings and reaching out to Nvidia support or community forums for further assistance.

By following these steps, users should be able to diagnose and potentially resolve their sound output issues on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board.