Identifying Jetson Nano vs. Jetson Orin Nano Using EEPROM

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties differentiating between the Jetson Nano and Jetson Orin Nano boards programmatically by reading the EEPROM data. The primary symptoms include:

• Empty EEPROM Data: When attempting to read the EEPROM using the command sudo i2cdump -y 7 0x50, users receive an output filled with "X"s, indicating that no valid data is being retrieved.

• Device Busy Errors: Some users encounter errors stating "Could not set address to 0x50: Device or resource busy" when trying alternative I2C bus numbers.

• Context of the Problem: This issue arises during attempts to identify the board type after flashing with Jetpack 6, which may not be compatible with the Jetson Nano.

• Frequency: The problem appears to be common among users trying to identify their boards, especially in development contexts.

• Impact on User Experience: The inability to differentiate between the two boards can hinder development processes, especially for applications requiring specific hardware capabilities.

Possible Causes

• Hardware Incompatibilities: Different Jetson series platforms may have variations in their I2C bus configurations, leading to unsuccessful attempts to read the EEPROM.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: The use of incompatible software versions (e.g., Jetpack 6) could prevent proper communication with the EEPROM.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect I2C bus number or parameters in the i2cdump command can lead to failures in reading data.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers may cause communication problems with the EEPROM.

• Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or overheating could potentially affect board performance and communication.

• User Errors: Misconfigurations in commands or misunderstanding of the hardware setup could lead to these issues.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Check I2C Bus Number:

   • The I2C bus number may vary across different Jetson platforms. Try using different bus numbers (e.g., 0, 1, etc.) in your command:

     sudo i2cdump -y 0 0x50
     

2. Use the -f Parameter:

   • If using Jetpack 6, add the -f parameter to your command:

     sudo i2cdump -y -f 7 0x50
     

   • This may yield different results if the device is accessible.

3. Check Boot Compatibility:

   • Ensure that your board is compatible with Jetpack 6. The Jetson Nano may not boot properly with this version, which could affect EEPROM access.

4. Review dmesg Output:

   • If EEPROM reading fails, check system logs using:

     dmesg | grep eeprom
     

   • This can provide insights into board identification without relying solely on EEPROM data.

5. Refer to Documentation:

   • Consult the official NVIDIA documentation for EEPROM layout and part numbers:
     • Jetson Nano part number: 3448
     • Jetson Orin Nano part number: 3767
   • Use this information to interpret any successful outputs from your commands.

6. Isolate Hardware Issues:

   • Test with a different power supply or peripherals to rule out hardware malfunctions affecting communication.

7. Update Drivers and Firmware:

   • Ensure that all drivers and firmware are up-to-date as per NVIDIA’s recommendations for your specific board model.

8. Best Practices for Future Prevention:

   • Always verify compatibility of software versions with your hardware before flashing.
   • Keep a log of successful configurations and commands for future reference.

By following these steps, users should be able to effectively troubleshoot and resolve issues related to identifying their Jetson boards through EEPROM data reading. If problems persist, further investigation into specific hardware or software configurations may be necessary.