Flashing Issues with Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano on Non-Standard Carrier Boards

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties when attempting to flash the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano 8GB module, particularly when using non-standard carrier boards such as the A203v2 or A603. The primary symptoms include:

• Failure to flash using the NVIDIA SDK Manager
• Timeouts during the flashing process
• Hanging at various stages of the boot or flash process
• Inability to detect the device properly

These issues seem to occur more frequently when using custom carrier boards rather than the official Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit. The problems impact the initial setup and configuration of the Orin Nano, preventing users from properly initializing their devices.

Possible Causes

1. Incompatible Carrier Board: The use of non-standard carrier boards like the A203v2 or A603 may lead to compatibility issues with the standard flashing process.

2. Missing Custom BSP: Lack of a custom Board Support Package (BSP) specific to the carrier board being used.

3. Incorrect Flashing Method: Attempting to use SDK Manager for non-DevKit setups, which is not supported.

4. Hardware Detection Issues: The system may fail to properly detect the Orin Nano module or connected storage devices.

5. Boot Loader Configuration: Incorrect or incompatible boot loader settings for the specific hardware configuration.

6. Storage Device Compatibility: Issues related to NVMe SSDs or other storage devices used for flashing and booting.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Use Command-Line Flashing:
   Instead of relying on SDK Manager, use the command-line method for flashing. Here’s an example command:

   sudo ./tools/kernel_flash/l4t_initrd_flash.sh --external-device nvme0n1p1 -c tools/kernel_flash/flash_l4t_external.xml -p "-c bootloader/t186ref/cfg/flash_t234_qspi.xml --no-systemimg" --network usb0 jetson-orin-nano-devkit-nvme external
   

   Adjust the command parameters based on your specific setup and storage device.

2. Obtain Custom BSP Package:
   For non-standard carrier boards, contact the vendor (e.g., Seeed Studio) to obtain the custom BSP package compatible with JetPack 5.1.1 for your specific board.

3. Use Correct Storage Device Identifier:

   • For NVMe SSDs, use nvme0n1p1 in the flash command.
   • For USB storage, use sda1 instead of nvme0n1p1.

4. Debug Console Connection:
   Connect a TTL/USB cable to the Orin’s debug console. This can help prevent timeouts during the flashing process and provide valuable debugging information.

5. Try Alternative Storage Options:
   If issues persist with NVMe, attempt to flash using a USB drive or SD card to isolate storage-related problems.

6. Verify Hardware Compatibility:
   Ensure that your carrier board is fully compatible with the Orin Nano 8GB module. Consider using officially supported hardware like the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit or verified compatible boards like the A603.

7. Check for Firmware Updates:
   Look for any available firmware updates for your carrier board that might address compatibility issues with the Orin Nano.

8. Monitor Boot Process:
   Use a serial console to monitor the boot process and identify any specific points where the system hangs or encounters errors.

9. Consult Vendor Support:
   For persistent issues with custom carrier boards, reach out to the board manufacturer’s support team for specific flashing instructions or troubleshooting steps.

10. Consider Official Developer Kit:
    If problems continue with custom carrier boards, consider using the official Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit, which is known to work with standard flashing procedures.

By following these steps and using the appropriate hardware and software combinations, users should be able to successfully flash and set up their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano modules, even when using non-standard carrier boards.