Jetson Orin Nano 4G SSD Boot Issues on Custom Boards

Issue Overview

Users have reported issues with the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano 4G development board not booting when using a custom-built board that mirrors the original development board’s specifications. The symptoms include:

• The system fails to start properly after flashing the SSD with the SDK Manager, despite successful operation on the original board.
• Users have successfully flashed the SSD but experience boot failure when transferring it to their custom hardware.
• The issue seems to occur consistently when using the custom board, indicating a potential hardware or configuration problem.
• The impact of this problem is significant, as it prevents users from utilizing their custom boards for development and testing.

Possible Causes

1. Hardware Incompatibilities: Custom boards may have slight variations in component specifications or connections that are not compatible with the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano module.
2. Software Bugs or Conflicts: There may be bugs in the JetPack version being used, particularly if users are attempting to use JetPack 6, which is still in preview.
3. Configuration Errors: Incorrect configurations during the flashing process or mismatches between the software and hardware setup could lead to boot failures.
4. Driver Issues: Missing or incompatible drivers for the custom board’s components may prevent successful booting.
5. Environmental Factors: Issues such as inadequate power supply (e.g., voltage or current ratings) might affect boot performance.
6. User Errors: Misconfigurations during setup, such as incorrect connections or settings in the SDK Manager, could lead to boot issues.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify Hardware Connections:

   • Ensure that all components are correctly connected according to Nvidia’s specifications for the Jetson Orin Nano module.
   • Check for any discrepancies in wiring or component placement compared to the reference design.

2. Flash QSPI Bootloader:

   • If using a custom board, ensure that the QSPI bootloader is correctly flashed. Use the following command:

     sudo ./flash.sh --no-systemimg -c bootloader/t186ref/cfg/flash_t234_qspi.xml <device> <root device>
     

   • Replace <device> and <root device> with appropriate identifiers for your setup.

3. Use SDK Manager:

   • When flashing, connect your Jetson Orin Nano to a host PC via USB Type-C and ensure it is in recovery mode by shorting pins 9 and 10 on the Button Header before powering up.
   • Follow steps outlined in official documentation for using SDK Manager effectively.

4. Check Power Supply:

   • Ensure that you are using a compatible power supply (19V recommended for Orin Nano) and that it is functioning correctly.

5. Test with Original Board SSD:

   • Confirm that the SSD works correctly on the original development board to rule out SSD issues.

6. Revert to Stable JetPack Version:

   • If using JetPack 6, consider reverting to JetPack 5.x as it is more stable and widely supported at this time.

7. Consult Documentation and Community Forums:

   • Utilize resources such as the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit User Guide for detailed instructions on setup and troubleshooting.
   • Engage with community forums for additional insights and shared experiences from other users facing similar issues.

8. Log Exporting:

   • If problems persist, export logs from SDK Manager during flashing attempts to diagnose specific errors encountered during the process.

9. Best Practices for Future Builds:

   • Follow Nvidia’s guidelines closely when designing custom boards based on their modules to minimize compatibility issues.
   • Regularly check for firmware updates and patches that may resolve known issues.

By following these steps, users can systematically diagnose and potentially resolve boot issues with their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano 4G on custom boards. Further investigation may be needed if problems persist despite these efforts.