Flashing Jetson Orin Nano on Hadron Carrier Board

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties while attempting to flash the Jetson Orin Nano 8GB on a Hadron Carrier board using a SATA III M2 SSD. The primary symptoms include errors during the flashing process, specifically when executing the flash script cti-flash.sh. The issue arises when users try to flash the operating system (OS) without including SDK components. The context for this problem occurs during the setup phase, where users expect the flashing process to complete successfully based on the Hadron Carrier board’s documentation, which indicates that an NVMe drive is required for proper flashing. The frequency of this issue appears to be consistent among users attempting similar setups, leading to frustration and uncertainty regarding hardware compatibility. This problem significantly impacts user experience as it prevents successful setup and utilization of the Jetson Orin Nano for development purposes.

Possible Causes

1. Hardware Incompatibility: The Hadron Carrier board may require an NVMe SSD for flashing, as indicated by its manufacturer. Using a SATA III M2 SSD could lead to compatibility issues.

2. Software Bugs: There may be bugs in the flashing scripts or JetPack version being used, particularly if users are on an unstable release or developer preview.

3. Configuration Errors: Incorrect configurations in the flashing command or using an inappropriate device tree for custom carrier boards can lead to failures.

4. Driver Issues: Outdated or incorrect drivers related to the storage devices may prevent successful flashing.

5. Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or overheating could also affect the performance and stability of the flashing process.

6. User Errors: Misconfiguration in commands or misunderstanding of the flashing procedure could contribute to the issue.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify Hardware Compatibility:

   • Confirm that you are using an NVMe SSD as recommended by the Hadron Carrier board manufacturer. If not, consider purchasing one.

2. Check JetPack Version:

   • Ensure you are using a stable version of JetPack (preferably JetPack 5.x) rather than a developer preview version like JetPack 6.x, which may contain unresolved bugs.
   • Command to check JetPack version:

     dpkg -l | grep nvidia-jetpack
     

3. Use Correct Flashing Command:

   • When executing the flash command, ensure you are using the correct target for your hardware configuration:

     sudo ./flash.sh jetson-orin-nano-devkit-qspi mmcblk1p1
     

   • This command assumes that you have set up your device tree correctly for your custom carrier board.

4. Review Flash Logs:

   • Collect and analyze logs generated during the flash process for any specific error messages that can provide insight into what went wrong.
   • Use this command to export logs:

     ./sdkmanager --export_logs
     

5. Boot into Recovery Mode:

   • Ensure that your Jetson Orin Nano is in recovery mode before attempting to flash it. This can typically be done by shorting specific pins on the board (check your carrier board documentation for details).

6. Test with Different Configurations:

   • If possible, test with another compatible NVMe SSD or try different USB ports on your host machine.
   • Isolate variables by trying a different host machine with a clean installation of Ubuntu and SDK Manager.

7. Update Drivers and Firmware:

   • Make sure all drivers related to NVIDIA hardware are up-to-date, including firmware updates for both the Jetson module and SSD.

8. Consult Documentation and Community Forums:

   • Refer to NVIDIA’s official documentation for any additional requirements specific to your hardware configuration.
   • Engage with community forums for insights from other users who might have faced similar issues.

9. Best Practices for Future Prevention:

   • Always use compatible hardware as specified by manufacturers.
   • Regularly check for updates in software tools like SDK Manager and JetPack.
   • Maintain backups of working configurations and logs for quick troubleshooting in case of future issues.

10. Unresolved Aspects:

    • Users have reported ongoing issues with compatibility between custom carrier boards and standard flashing procedures, indicating a need for further investigation into specific requirements for third-party boards.

By following these steps, users should be able to diagnose and potentially resolve their issues with flashing the Jetson Orin Nano on a Hadron Carrier board effectively.