Jetson Orin NX Power GUI Parameters Not Displaying Properly

Issue Overview

Users of the Nvidia Jetson Orin NX Developer Kit have reported issues with the power GUI parameters, specifically the readings for VDD_IN, VDD_CPU_GPU_CV, and VDD_SOC. The symptoms include:

• Incorrect Display Values: The power GUI shows VDD_IN as 0mW, which is not a valid reading.
• Consistency: This issue persists even after rebooting the board, indicating a consistent problem rather than an intermittent glitch.
• Context: The problem occurs while using the Jetson Orin NX with JetPack 5.1.2 and Linux version 35.4.1. Users have noted that similar parameters display correctly on the Jetson Xavier NX board, suggesting a potential issue specific to the Orin NX or its custom carrier board.
• User Experience Impact: The inability to accurately monitor power parameters can hinder performance analysis and debugging efforts for applications running on the device.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes have been identified for the observed issue:

• Custom Board Design: Many users are utilizing custom carrier boards, which may not align with expected power readings due to design flaws or incompatibilities.

• Power Design Issues: If the custom board’s power design does not correctly implement the necessary connections or voltage regulators, it could lead to incorrect readings in the power GUI.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: There may be bugs in JetPack or the power monitoring tools that affect how parameters are read or displayed.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect configurations during setup or in software settings could result in erroneous readings.

• Measurement Methodology: Users have expressed uncertainty about how to measure VDD_IN voltage accurately, which could lead to misinterpretation of data.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address the issue with VDD_IN and other power parameters not displaying correctly, users can follow these troubleshooting steps and solutions:

1. Verify Hardware Setup:

   • Ensure that all connections on the custom carrier board are secure and correctly configured according to specifications.
   • If possible, test with a known working devkit to compare results.

2. Reproduce the Issue on Devkit:

   • Use a standard Nvidia Jetson Orin NX developer kit to check if the same issue occurs. This helps determine if the problem is specific to the custom board.

3. Check Power Design Documentation:

   • Review the reference schematic and PCB assembly files for the P3768_A04 board package available in Nvidia’s documentation library. This will provide insights into how VDD_IN is expected to function.

4. Measure VDD_IN Voltage:

   • If unsure how to measure VDD_IN, consult with your hardware vendor or refer to documentation that outlines measurement techniques for this parameter.

5. Examine Software Configuration:

   • Ensure that JetPack is properly installed and updated to version 5.1.2.
   • Run diagnostic commands to gather system information and check for any software-related issues:

     sudo jtop
     

     This command will help monitor system resources and verify if readings align with expectations.

6. Seek Community Support:

   • If issues persist, consider reaching out on forums or Nvidia’s support channels with detailed descriptions of your setup and any troubleshooting steps already taken.

7. Firmware Updates:

   • Check for any available firmware updates for both the Jetson module and custom carrier board that might address known issues with power monitoring.

8. Best Practices for Future Prevention:

   • When designing custom carrier boards, closely follow Nvidia’s reference designs and guidelines.
   • Regularly update software and firmware as new versions may include critical fixes for existing bugs.

By following these steps, users should be able to diagnose their issues effectively and identify potential fixes or workarounds for problems related to power GUI parameters on the Jetson Orin NX Developer Kit.