My host does not recognize my custom board

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing a problem where their host computer does not recognize the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board during the flashing process. The specific symptoms include:

• The host computer fails to recognize the USB0 port used for flashing.
• The SDK Manager does not detect the module information, indicating a communication failure between the host and the custom board.

This issue typically occurs during the setup phase when users attempt to flash their custom carrier boards designed for the Orin Nano.

In discussions, users have mentioned verifying that they are in recovery mode, which is essential for flashing. However, there seems to be confusion regarding the vbus_detect signal and its expected behavior. Some users have noted that the voltage of their USB signal is less than 1V, which may indicate a deeper issue with the design or configuration.

The frequency of this issue appears to be consistent among users who have designed custom carrier boards, impacting their ability to set up and utilize their devices effectively.

Possible Causes

Several potential reasons could lead to the observed problem:

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: If the carrier board design has flaws or deviates from Nvidia’s reference design, it may cause recognition issues.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: There may be bugs in the SDK Manager or conflicts with other software components that prevent proper detection.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect configurations in the device tree or other settings could hinder communication between the host and the board.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers on the host machine could prevent successful recognition of connected devices.

• Environmental Factors: Issues such as inadequate power supply or temperature fluctuations may affect device performance.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Mistakes in wiring, grounding, or other setup procedures could lead to recognition failures.

Each of these causes can contribute to communication failures, making it essential to methodically troubleshoot and isolate the issue.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To resolve the issue of the host not recognizing the custom board, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Verify Recovery Mode:

   • Ensure that your board is indeed in recovery mode. This is critical for flashing.
   • To confirm, check if any LED indicators are signaling recovery mode (if applicable).

2. Check vbus_detect Signal:

   • Measure the vbus_detect voltage on your board. It should be low when you plug in the USB cable.
   • If it remains low after plugging in, there may be a design flaw.

3. Inspect USB Signal Voltage:

   • Use a multimeter to check the voltage of your USB signal. It should be above 1V for proper operation.
   • If it’s below this value, investigate potential issues with your design.

4. Compare with Reference Design:

   • Review your carrier board against Nvidia’s P3768_A04 reference schematic.
   • Ensure all components are correctly placed and connected as per specifications.

5. Modify Device Tree Configuration:

   • If changes were made to vbus-supply settings in your device tree file (e.g., <tegra234-p3768-0000-a0.dtsi>), ensure they align with your hardware setup.

6. Driver and Software Updates:

   • Check for any available updates for SDK Manager and relevant drivers on your host machine.
   • Install any updates and restart your system before attempting to flash again.

7. Test with Different Hardware Configurations:

   • If possible, try using a different USB cable or port on your host machine.
   • Test with another computer to rule out host-specific issues.

8. Consult Documentation:

   • Refer to Nvidia’s Design Guide documentation for additional insights and troubleshooting tips related to your specific setup.

9. Best Practices for Future Prevention:

   • Always double-check wiring and connections before powering on.
   • Keep firmware and software updated regularly to avoid compatibility issues.

If multiple users have reported success using specific steps, highlight those as recommended approaches. For example, confirming recovery mode and ensuring proper vbus_detect functionality are critical steps consistently noted by users who resolved their issues successfully.

Note any unresolved aspects of this issue that may require further investigation, such as specific hardware configurations that have not been tested extensively in user reports.