Controlling GPIO Input/Output on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board

Issue Overview

Users of the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board are experiencing difficulties with controlling GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) pins, specifically when trying to manage the CAM0 PWDN (power down) pin for their custom IMX415 camera. The issue arises primarily during the setup phase and when executing specific commands to manipulate GPIO states.

Symptoms reported include:

• Inability to set the CAM0 PWDN pin high or low.
• Confusion regarding the correct GPIO ID and commands needed to control the pins.
• Users are utilizing JetPack 6.0, which is relevant for compatibility with the development board.

The issue appears to be consistent among new users who are unfamiliar with GPIO operations on this platform, impacting their ability to integrate hardware components effectively into their projects.

Possible Causes

• Hardware Incompatibilities: There may be discrepancies between the hardware specifications of the IMX415 camera and the GPIO capabilities of the Orin Nano board.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: Issues may arise from bugs in JetPack 6.0 or conflicts with other installed software that interferes with GPIO operations.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect configurations in software settings or pin assignments could prevent proper GPIO control.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers may lead to failures in recognizing or controlling GPIO pins.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: New users might misinterpret commands or fail to execute them correctly, leading to operational failures.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify JetPack Version:

   • Ensure you are using JetPack 6.0 as it is essential for compatibility with the Orin Nano board.

2. Identify GPIO Pin:

   • Download the pinmux file from the Nvidia Download Center to find the correct GPIO ID for CAM0 PWDN. For example:
     • CAM0_PWDN corresponds to GPIO3_PS.07.

3. Check GPIO Status:

   • Use the following commands to check if the GPIO pin is accessible:

     sudo su
     gpioinfo | grep "PS.07"
     

4. Set GPIO Pin Value:

   • To control the CAM0 PWDN pin, use these commands:

     sudo gpiofind PS.07
     sudo gpioset --mode=wait gpiochip# <offset>=1  # Set high
     sudo gpioset --mode=wait gpiochip# <offset>=0  # Set low
     

   • Replace <offset> with the actual offset obtained from gpiofind.

5. Test Other Pins:

   • If issues persist, test other pins using similar commands:

     gpioinfo | grep "PH.06"
     gpioset --mode=wait `gpiofind "PH.06"`=0  # Set low
     gpioset --mode=wait `gpiofind "PH.06"`=1  # Set high
     

6. Update Drivers and Firmware:

   • Ensure all drivers and firmware are up-to-date by checking Nvidia’s official resources and applying any necessary updates.

7. Consult Documentation:

   • Refer to the developer wiki provided by RidgeRun for additional guidance on GPIO operations and troubleshooting steps.

8. Seek Community Support:

   • If unresolved, consider posting detailed queries on forums or reaching out to support channels for further assistance.

By following these steps, users should be able to diagnose and resolve issues related to controlling GPIO pins on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board effectively.