Jetpack 6.0 – Issue with Xbox Gamepad

Issue Overview

Users have reported issues with the detection and functionality of Xbox One gamepads when connected to the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board, particularly under the Jetpack 6.0 environment. The symptoms include:

• Detection Issues: Initially, the system fails to recognize the Xbox One gamepad when connected via USB, as indicated by error messages in the system logs (e.g., "USB disconnect" messages).
• Device Recognition: After a kernel update (specifically kernel update 43), the device is detected, but it does not appear under the expected device path /dev/input/js0. Instead, it shows up as /dev/input/event13.
• Bluetooth Pairing Problems: Users experience similar issues when attempting to pair the gamepad via Bluetooth, with logs indicating connection attempts but no successful mapping to joystick input.
• Missing Modules: The absence of the joydev.ko module and joystick directory in /lib/modules/5.15.122-tegra/kernel/drivers/input may contribute to these issues.

These problems occur consistently during both setup and regular use of the gamepad, significantly impacting user experience by preventing proper input recognition and functionality.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes have been identified for the issues experienced with Xbox gamepads:

• Kernel Configuration: Missing or incorrect kernel configuration options such as CONFIG_INPUT_JOYDEV or CONFIG_LOGITECH_FF may prevent proper detection and functionality of gamepads.

• Driver Issues: The absence of necessary drivers (like joydev.ko) can lead to failure in recognizing input devices.

• Software Bugs: There may be bugs in the Jetpack 6.0 software that affect USB and Bluetooth input handling.

• User Configuration Errors: Incorrect configurations during kernel customization or module loading can lead to detection issues.

• Compatibility Issues: Some hardware configurations or specific models of Xbox controllers may not be fully supported.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To resolve the Xbox gamepad detection issue on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board, follow these detailed troubleshooting steps:

1. Verify Kernel Version:

   • Check your current kernel version using:

     uname -r
     

2. Update Kernel if Necessary:

   • If you are not on kernel update 43 or later, consider updating your kernel as this has resolved detection issues for some users.

3. Check for Missing Modules:

   • Verify if joydev.ko is present in your system:

     ls /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/input
     

   • If it is missing, proceed to compile it.

4. Kernel Customization:

   • Follow these steps to enable necessary configurations:
     • Open your kernel defconfig file located at kernel/kernel-jammy-src/arch/arm64/configs/defconfig.
     • Add the following lines:

       CONFIG_LOGITECH_FF=m
       CONFIG_INPUT_JOYDEV=m
       

     • Save changes and rebuild your kernel.

5. Install Missing Module:

   • After building, copy joydev.ko to the appropriate directory:

     cp kernel_out/kernel/kernel-jammy-src/drivers/input/joydev.ko /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/input/
     

   • Load the module with:

     sudo modprobe joydev
     

6. Connect Gamepad and Test:

   • After loading the module, connect your Xbox gamepad via USB.
   • Check if it appears under /dev/input/js0 using:

     ls /dev/input/
     

7. Test Input Functionality:

   • Use jstest to verify that input is being recognized:

     sudo jstest /dev/input/js0
     

   • If no data is being updated, further investigation into driver compatibility may be required.

8. Bluetooth Pairing Troubleshooting:

   • Ensure that Bluetooth is properly configured on your device.
   • Attempt pairing again and check system logs for any errors during connection attempts.

9. Best Practices for Future Prevention:

   • Regularly check for updates to Jetpack and kernel modules.
   • Document any customizations made to kernel configurations for future reference.

10. Further Investigation:

    • If issues persist after following these steps, consider reaching out to community forums or Nvidia support for additional assistance.

By following these troubleshooting steps and solutions, users should be able to resolve Xbox gamepad detection issues on their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev boards effectively.