How to Configure PIN7 and PIN15 on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board to Output 0V at Power-On

Issue Overview

Users of the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Development Board have reported an issue where PIN7 (GPIO09) and PIN15 (GPIO12) in the 40-pin header are set to output 3.3V upon power-on. This behavior interferes with specific applications that require these pins to be pulled down to 0V initially.

The problem occurs during the board’s power-up phase, affecting users who need these GPIOs configured to a low state for proper functionality. Users have noted that despite attempts to configure these pins through available tools and methods, they continue to experience the same issue. The frequency of this problem appears consistent among multiple users, indicating a potential commonality in configuration or setup.

The impact on user experience is significant, as incorrect GPIO states can lead to malfunctioning peripherals or incorrect data readings, thereby hindering project development.

Possible Causes

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: If there are issues with the hardware itself, it may not support the desired configurations.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: The software environment may contain bugs that prevent proper GPIO configuration.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings in the pinmux spreadsheet or related configuration files could lead to unintended GPIO states.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers may not support the required functionality for GPIO manipulation.

• Environmental Factors: Power supply inconsistencies or temperature variations could affect GPIO behavior.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Users may not be applying the correct settings or procedures when configuring the pins.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Download Pinmux Spreadsheet:

   • Obtain the pinmux spreadsheet specifically for the Orin Nano from Nvidia’s official resources.

2. Configure GPIO Settings:

   • Open the pinmux spreadsheet and locate PIN7 (GPIO09) and PIN15 (GPIO12).
   • Set both pins as output and ensure they are configured to drive low (0V).

3. Generate Required dtsi Files:

   • Use the pinmux spreadsheet to generate three necessary dtsi files:
     • gpio.dtsi
     • pinmux.dtsi
     • padvoltage.dtsi
   • Ensure these files are placed in the appropriate locations within your Board Support Package (BSP).

4. Modify Configuration Files:

   • Check if you need to modify PINMUX_CONFIG and PMC_CONFIG in your board configuration files.
   • These configurations can be critical for ensuring that your changes take effect.

5. Flash the Board:

   • Use the appropriate flash command to load your board configuration file onto the device.
   • Example command:

     sudo ./flash.sh <your_board_configuration_file>
     

6. Check Flash Logs:

   • After flashing, review the logs generated during the process on your host machine.
   • Look for indications that your generated dtsi files were utilized correctly.

7. Verify Configuration:

   • If issues persist, check full flash logs for errors or warnings.
   • You can also test GPIO states using a multimeter or logic analyzer to confirm output levels.

8. Seek Further Assistance:

   • If you continue experiencing difficulties, consider reaching out on forums or Nvidia support channels for additional guidance.

Best Practices

• Always ensure you are using the latest version of drivers and software tools.
• Regularly back up your configurations before making changes.
• Test configurations in a controlled environment before deploying them in critical applications.

Unresolved Areas

• Some users have reported difficulty understanding specific terms related to flashing logs and configurations; further clarification may be needed in documentation.
• Additional examples tailored specifically for GPIO configuration could enhance user understanding and success rates.