Connecting Quectel RM520N-GL 5G Module to NVIDIA Jetson Orin

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties connecting the Quectel RM520N-GL 5G module to the NVIDIA Jetson Orin development board running kernel version 5.10.120-tegra. The primary symptoms include:

• No output when checking for QMI and CDC drivers
• The 5G module is detected by lsusb but not functional
• Inability to establish a connection between the Jetson Orin and the 5G module

This issue significantly impacts the functionality of the system, preventing users from utilizing 5G connectivity on their Jetson Orin board.

Possible Causes

1. Missing Kernel Drivers: The required kernel drivers for the Quectel RM520N-GL 5G module are not enabled in the default Jetson Orin kernel configuration.

2. Incompatible Kernel Version: The current kernel version (5.10.120-tegra) may not have built-in support for the specific 5G module.

3. Incorrect Module Configuration: The 5G module might not be properly configured or initialized on the Jetson Orin board.

4. Hardware Connectivity Issues: There could be problems with the physical connection between the 5G module and the Jetson Orin board.

5. Firmware Mismatch: The firmware of the 5G module might not be compatible with the Jetson Orin’s software stack.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Enable Required Kernel Drivers:

   • Identify the necessary kernel configurations for the Quectel RM520N-GL 5G module.
   • Edit the kernel configuration file to enable the required drivers.
   • Rebuild the kernel image with the updated configuration.

   Example commands (may vary based on your setup):

   sudo make menuconfig
   # Navigate to and enable:
   # Device Drivers -> Network device support -> USB Network Adapters -> Multi-purpose USB Networking Framework
   # Device Drivers -> Network device support -> USB Network Adapters -> QMI WWAN driver for Ethernet over QMI devices
   # Device Drivers -> USB support -> USB Wireless Device Management support
   sudo make -j$(nproc)
   sudo make modules_install
   sudo make install
   

2. Update Kernel and Firmware:

   • Check for any available updates for the Jetson Orin’s kernel and firmware.
   • Update to the latest stable version compatible with your hardware.

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt upgrade
   

3. Verify Module Detection:

   • After enabling the drivers and rebuilding the kernel, reboot the system.
   • Check if the module is now detected:

   ls /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/net/usb/ | grep -E 'qmi_wwan|cdc_wdm'
   lsmod | grep -E 'qmi_wwan|cdc_wdm'
   sudo dmesg | grep -i "cdc-wdm"
   

4. Manual Driver Loading:

   • If the drivers are present but not loaded, try loading them manually:

   sudo modprobe qmi_wwan
   sudo modprobe cdc_wdm
   

5. Check Physical Connection:

   • Ensure the 5G module is properly connected to the Jetson Orin board.
   • Try different USB ports if applicable.
   • Verify the power supply is adequate for both the Jetson Orin and the 5G module.

6. Update Quectel Module Firmware:

   • Check the Quectel website for any firmware updates for the RM520N-GL module.
   • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to update the module’s firmware if necessary.

7. Configure Network Interface:

   • After successful driver loading, configure the network interface:

   sudo ip link set wwan0 up
   sudo qmicli -d /dev/cdc-wdm0 --dms-get-operating-mode
   sudo qmicli -d /dev/cdc-wdm0 --dms-set-operating-mode='online'
   sudo qmicli -d /dev/cdc-wdm0 --wds-start-network="ip-type=4" --client-no-release-cid
   

8. Consult Quectel Documentation:

   • Refer to the Quectel RM520N-GL documentation for specific setup instructions on Linux-based systems.
   • Look for any known issues or compatibility notes related to the Jetson Orin or similar platforms.

9. Seek Community Support:

   • If the issue persists, consider reaching out to the NVIDIA Jetson community forums or Quectel support for more specific assistance.

Remember to document any changes made to the system configuration and keep track of the troubleshooting steps performed. This will help in case further support is needed or if you need to replicate the setup on other devices.