Jetson Orin Nano SD Card Reader Issues

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing issues with the SD card socket on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board. The main symptoms include:

• Lack of Recognition: When users check the system logs using the dmesg command, there is no record of the SDHC (Secure Digital Host Controller), indicating that the system does not recognize the SD card.

• Context of the Issue: This problem arises during attempts to utilize the SD card socket on a custom carrier card designed for the Jetson Orin Nano. Users are unsure about the correct pinmux settings and whether any kernel adjustments are necessary.

• Hardware and Software Specifications: Users have referred to specific device tree binaries (DTB), such as tegra234-p3767-0004-p3509-a02.dtb, in their attempts to resolve the issue.

• Frequency of Occurrence: The issue appears consistently among users attempting to use the SD card socket, with multiple confirmations that it is not functioning as intended.

• Impact on User Experience: The inability to use the SD card limits storage options and functionality for applications that require external storage, significantly affecting user experience.

Possible Causes

The following potential causes have been identified for the issues related to the SD card reader:

• Hardware Incompatibility: The Jetson Orin Nano may not support SDMMC (Secure Digital MultiMediaCard) due to hardware limitations, which has been confirmed by multiple users.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: There may be software configurations or bugs that prevent proper recognition of hardware components, but this appears less likely given the hardware limitations.

• Configuration Errors: Users are uncertain about whether they need to select GPIO3_PAG.XX or PEX_xx in Pinmux settings, which could lead to misconfiguration.

• Driver Issues: There may be missing or incompatible drivers necessary for SD card functionality, although this is tied closely to hardware support.

• Environmental Factors: Power supply issues could potentially affect hardware performance, but this does not seem to be a primary concern based on user reports.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address the issue with the Jetson Orin Nano’s SD card reader, users can follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Verify Hardware Support:

   • Confirm that your version of the Jetson Orin Nano supports SDMMC. As per user replies, it appears that SDMMC is not supported on this platform.

2. Check Pinmux Configuration:

   • Ensure you have selected the correct pinmux settings. However, given that there is no hardware support for SD card functionality, adjusting these settings may not yield results.

3. Review Device Tree Binary (DTB):

   • Ensure you are using a compatible DTB file. Users have mentioned tegra234-p3767-0004-p3509-a02.dtb. Verify if this DTB supports your configuration.

4. Run Diagnostic Commands:

   • Use terminal commands like dmesg to check for any logs related to SDHC. If there are no entries, it further indicates a lack of recognition by the system.

5. Consult Documentation:

   • Refer to the Nvidia Orin Nano design guide for detailed information regarding supported peripherals and configurations.

6. Consider Workarounds:

   • If external storage is essential, consider using alternative methods such as USB storage devices or network-based storage solutions until a suitable solution is available.

7. Stay Updated:

   • Regularly check for firmware updates or community discussions regarding potential future support for SD cards on Jetson Orin Nano.

8. Community Engagement:

   • Engage with community forums for any updates or shared experiences from other users who may have faced similar issues.

As noted in user responses, there appears to be no software intervention available to enable support for SD cards on the Jetson Orin Nano due to inherent hardware limitations. Further investigation may be required if future hardware revisions or software updates change this situation.