GPIO Output Issues on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit with JetPack 6.0

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties with GPIO functionality on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit when using JetPack 6.0. Specifically, while GPIO pins can read input, they fail to produce output, such as lighting up an LED when connected. This issue seems to occur exclusively with JetPack version 6.0, as users have reported successful GPIO operations when reverting to earlier versions like JetPack 5.1.3. The problem has been consistently noted across multiple setups and configurations, indicating a potential software bug or misconfiguration related to the new version.

Symptoms

• GPIO pins read input correctly but do not output signals.
• No LED response when connected to GPIO pins.
• Users have attempted different libraries (Jetson.GPIO and RPi.GPIO) without success.

Context

• The issue arises specifically during GPIO control attempts using JetPack 6.0.
• Users are primarily utilizing the Dev Kit version of the Orin Nano.
• The problem persists across various GPIO pins, including GPIO 12.

Impact

The inability to control GPIO outputs significantly hampers projects requiring hardware interaction, such as robotics or sensor integration, leading to frustration among developers.

Possible Causes

1. Software Bugs: JetPack 6.0 may contain unresolved bugs affecting GPIO functionality.
2. Driver Issues: Incompatibility or issues with drivers specific to JetPack 6.0 could prevent proper GPIO operation.
3. Configuration Errors: Incorrect pinmux settings may lead to GPIO pins being misconfigured for output.
4. Library Conflicts: Using multiple libraries (e.g., Jetson.GPIO and RPi.GPIO) might cause conflicts that inhibit functionality.
5. Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or hardware defects in the Dev Kit may affect performance.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Check Pin Configuration:

   • Ensure that the pinmux settings are correctly configured for the desired GPIO functionality.
   • Download the pinmuxing spreadsheet for the Orin Nano and adjust settings to set the direction of the pins to "Bidirectional."

2. Revert to Previous JetPack Version:

   • If feasible, downgrade to JetPack 5.1.3 where GPIO functionality has been confirmed to work.
   • Use the SDK Manager for flashing an older version.

3. Use Command-Line Tools:

   • Utilize command-line tools like gpiod to manually manipulate GPIO states and verify if changes reflect physically.

   # Example command to check GPIO states
   gpioinfo
   

4. Library Verification:

   • Confirm that the libraries (Jetson.GPIO or RPi.GPIO) are correctly installed and configured.
   • Test using sample scripts provided in library documentation.

5. Check Permissions:

   • Ensure that user permissions allow access to GPIO devices in /dev/.

   # Check permissions
   ls -l /dev/gpio*
   

6. Documentation Reference:

   • Refer to Nvidia’s official documentation for detailed steps on configuring pinmux and managing GPIOs:
     • Nvidia Developer Documentation

7. Community Support:

   • Engage with community forums for additional insights or similar experiences from other users facing this issue.

8. Report Bugs:

   • If issues persist despite following troubleshooting steps, consider reporting them on Nvidia’s developer forums for further assistance.

Recommended Approach

Many users have successfully resolved their issues by reverting back to JetPack 5.x versions where GPIO functionality was stable, suggesting this as a primary workaround until a patch or update is released for JetPack 6.0.

Unresolved Aspects

Further investigation may be needed into specific hardware configurations or interactions with other components that could be influencing GPIO behavior on JetPack 6.0.