Compatibility of Non-SCL Wi-Fi Modules with Jetson Orin Nano

Issue Overview

The Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit comes with a limited selection of Wi-Fi modules in its Supported Component List (SCL), specifically offering only Wi-Fi 5 solutions. Users are interested in upgrading to Wi-Fi 6 modules, which are not officially listed in the SCL. The main concern is determining whether these non-SCL Wi-Fi 6 modules can be used with the Jetson Orin Nano, given that they use the same M.2 interface for Wi-Fi (PCIe) and Bluetooth (USB) as the SCL-listed modules.

Possible Causes

1. Hardware Incompatibility: The Jetson Orin Nano may have specific hardware requirements or limitations that prevent it from working with non-SCL Wi-Fi modules.

2. Driver Issues: The necessary drivers for Wi-Fi 6 modules may not be readily available or compatible with the Jetson Orin Nano’s operating system.

3. Firmware Limitations: The Jetson Orin Nano’s firmware might not support newer Wi-Fi standards or non-SCL modules.

4. Power Management Conflicts: Wi-Fi 6 modules may have different power requirements that could conflict with the Jetson Orin Nano’s power management system.

5. Software Stack Incompatibility: The Jetson software stack may not be optimized for Wi-Fi 6 modules, leading to potential conflicts or reduced functionality.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Check Linux Kernel Compatibility:

   • Ensure that the Wi-Fi 6 module you’re considering supports Linux kernel 5.10 on ARM64 architecture, as this is crucial for compatibility with the Jetson Orin Nano.
   • Research the specific Wi-Fi 6 module’s documentation or contact the manufacturer to confirm Linux 5.10 ARM64 support.

2. Verify Hardware Interface Compatibility:

   • Confirm that the Wi-Fi 6 module uses the same M.2 interface (WIFI(PCIe)+BT(USB)) as the SCL-listed modules.
   • Check the pin configuration and form factor to ensure physical compatibility.

3. Driver Availability and Installation:

   • Search for Linux drivers specific to the Wi-Fi 6 module you want to use.
   • If drivers are available, try installing them on the Jetson Orin Nano using the following commands:

     sudo apt update
     sudo apt install <driver-package-name>
     

   • Reboot the system after driver installation:

     sudo reboot
     

4. Test Module Detection:

   • After installing the module, check if it’s detected by the system:

     lspci | grep -i wireless
     

   • For USB-based Bluetooth functionality, use:

     lsusb | grep -i bluetooth
     

5. Kernel Module Loading:

   • If the module is detected but not functioning, try manually loading the kernel module:

     sudo modprobe <module-name>
     

   • Check kernel logs for any errors:

     dmesg | grep -i wifi
     

6. Network Manager Configuration:

   • Ensure Network Manager recognizes the new Wi-Fi interface:

     nmcli device
     

   • If not listed, try restarting Network Manager:

     sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager
     

7. Firmware Updates:

   • Check for any available firmware updates for the Jetson Orin Nano that might improve compatibility with newer Wi-Fi modules.
   • Visit the NVIDIA Developer website for the latest Jetson Linux release and follow the update instructions.

8. Community Resources:

   • Search NVIDIA Developer Forums and community channels for users who have successfully integrated Wi-Fi 6 modules with Jetson Orin Nano.
   • Share your experiences and findings to help expand the knowledge base for non-SCL Wi-Fi module compatibility.

9. Alternative Solutions:

   • If the Wi-Fi 6 module proves incompatible, consider using a USB Wi-Fi 6 adapter as an alternative solution.
   • Explore the possibility of using an external PCIe adapter if internal M.2 integration is not successful.

10. Documentation and Support:

    • Document your findings, successful or not, to contribute to the community knowledge base.
    • If issues persist, reach out to NVIDIA support or the Wi-Fi module manufacturer for advanced troubleshooting assistance.

Remember that using non-SCL components may void warranty or support agreements. Proceed with caution and be prepared for potential compatibility issues that may require additional troubleshooting or alternative solutions.