GPIO02 Pin Voltage Issue on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing a problem with the GPIO02 pin (mapped to system pin PP.06) on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board. When attempting to set this pin high using commands, the measured voltage only reaches 0.18V instead of the expected 1.8V. This issue occurs during the execution of commands intended to manipulate GPIO settings, particularly when trying to pull the pin high.

Symptoms:

• Voltage reading on GPIO02 pin is 0.18V instead of 1.8V.
• The issue arises specifically when executing commands to set the GPIO state.

Context:

• The problem may occur on both custom boards and standard development kits.
• Users are prompted for details about their device tree settings (DTS) and the specific commands used to manipulate GPIO states.

Frequency:

• The issue appears to be isolated to specific user setups, with no widespread reports indicating a systemic problem.

Impact:

• This voltage discrepancy can hinder the functionality of connected peripherals or sensors that rely on proper GPIO signaling, potentially leading to system malfunctions or unexpected behavior.

Possible Causes

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: If there are defects in the GPIO hardware or connections, it could prevent proper voltage levels from being achieved.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: Issues in the operating system or drivers managing GPIO operations could lead to incorrect voltage readings.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings in the device tree (DTS) may misconfigure the GPIO pin, resulting in improper voltage levels.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers might not support correct GPIO operations, leading to voltage discrepancies.

• Environmental Factors: External factors such as power supply issues or temperature variations could impact performance and voltage levels.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Incorrect command usage or misunderstanding of the GPIO setup process can lead to failures in achieving desired outcomes.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify Hardware Connections:

   • Ensure that there are no external connections affecting GPIO02. Check for shorts or miswiring that could influence voltage levels.

2. Check Device Tree Settings:

   • Review your device tree source (DTS) file for correct configuration of GPIO02. Ensure that it is set up properly for output mode.

3. Use Correct Commands:

   • Confirm that you are using the appropriate commands to pull the pin high. A common command structure is:

     echo 1 > /sys/class/gpio/gpio2/value
     

   • Replace gpio2 with the correct identifier if necessary.

4. Test with Different Configurations:

   • If possible, test GPIO02 on a different board or with different configurations to isolate whether the issue is hardware-specific.

5. Check Driver Versions:

   • Ensure that your drivers are up-to-date. Use package management commands like:

     sudo apt update
     sudo apt upgrade
     

   • Look for any specific driver updates related to GPIO functionality.

6. Monitor Power Supply:

   • Verify that your power supply is stable and providing adequate voltage levels to the board.

7. Consult Documentation:

   • Refer to Nvidia’s official documentation for any updates regarding GPIO usage and known issues with specific versions of Jetson software.

8. Best Practices for Future Prevention:

   • Always ensure firmware and software are updated before troubleshooting hardware issues.
   • Document any changes made to configurations for easier rollback if needed.

Unresolved Aspects

Further investigation may be required if none of these steps resolve the issue, particularly regarding potential underlying hardware defects or deeper software conflicts that may not be immediately apparent from user configurations.