Jetson Orin Nano On-module Signal Flight-times

Issue Overview

The discussion revolves around concerns regarding signal flight times and skew in the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board, particularly in the context of designing a custom carrier board. Users are seeking clarification on whether they need to account for any misalignment in signal flight times for interfaces such as HDMI and Ethernet when integrating with the Jetson module.

Specific Symptoms:

• Users are uncertain about the timing alignment of various interface signals as they exit the Jetson module.
• There is a concern about the need for compensation in the design of custom carrier boards.

Context:

• The issue arises during the design phase of a custom board intended for use with the Jetson Orin Nano.
• It specifically pertains to signal integrity and timing alignment, which are crucial for proper functionality of high-speed interfaces.

Hardware/Software Specifications:

• The discussion references the Jetson Orin Nano module and its associated guidelines outlined in the Design Guide (DG).

Frequency/Consistency:

• This issue appears to be a common concern among users designing custom boards, indicating that it may frequently arise in similar contexts.

Impact on User Experience:

• Misalignment in signal timing could lead to performance issues or malfunctions in applications relying on HDMI or Ethernet connectivity.

Possible Causes

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: If the custom carrier board does not adhere to the specified guidelines, it may introduce additional skew or misalignment.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: While less likely, software issues could potentially affect how signals are processed or interpreted.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect configurations during the design phase may lead to improper signal alignment.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers could potentially impact signal processing, although this is more relevant to software than hardware design.

• Environmental Factors: External conditions like temperature variations could theoretically affect signal integrity, though this is generally less significant than design factors.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Users may misunderstand the guidelines, leading to improper designs that fail to account for necessary timing adjustments.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Review Design Guidelines:

   • Consult the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Design Guide for specific instructions on signal integrity and timing requirements.
   • Ensure that your design adheres strictly to these guidelines.

2. Signal Timing Analysis:

   • Use an oscilloscope or logic analyzer to measure actual signal timings if possible.
   • Compare these measurements against expected timings as per the Design Guide.

3. Testing with Different Configurations:

   • If feasible, prototype with various configurations of your carrier board to observe differences in performance.
   • Test using different HDMI and Ethernet cables to rule out external factors.

4. Documentation Review:

   • Look for any application notes or additional documents released by Nvidia regarding timing issues specific to the Jetson Orin Nano.

5. Community Engagement:

   • Engage with forums or user groups focused on Nvidia Jetson products; other users may have encountered similar issues and can provide insights or solutions.

6. Recommended Approach:

   • Based on user feedback in the forum discussion, it is confirmed that as long as your custom carrier board adheres to the guidelines set forth in the Design Guide, additional compensation for signal flight times is generally unnecessary.

7. Best Practices:

   • Always prototype designs before finalizing them to catch potential issues early.
   • Regularly check for updates from Nvidia regarding new findings or changes to design guidelines.

8. Further Investigation:

   • If problems persist despite following all guidelines and troubleshooting steps, consider reaching out directly to Nvidia support for specialized assistance.

By following these steps and recommendations, users can effectively address concerns related to signal flight times on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board while ensuring their custom designs are robust and reliable.