Reading Chip ID on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board

Issue Overview

Users of the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Development Board are seeking information on how to read the chip ID of their device. This query is related to system identification and potentially important for various purposes such as device management, security, or software licensing. The ability to access and read the chip ID is a fundamental feature that developers and system administrators may need for their projects or deployments.

Possible Causes

1. Lack of Documentation: Users may be unfamiliar with the specific command or method to retrieve the chip ID on the Orin Nano platform.

2. Access Restrictions: There might be system-level restrictions preventing easy access to the chip ID information.

3. Software Configuration: The necessary kernel module or system file might not be properly configured or loaded to expose the chip ID.

4. Hardware Variation: Different versions or revisions of the Orin Nano might have varying methods to access the chip ID.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Access Chip ID via Kernel Module:
   The most direct method to read the chip ID on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano is by accessing a specific kernel module parameter. Use the following command in the terminal:

   cat /sys/module/fuse_burn/parameters/tegra_chip_uid
   

   This command reads the contents of the tegra_chip_uid parameter from the fuse_burn kernel module, which should display the unique chip ID.

2. Verify Kernel Module Presence:
   If the above command doesn’t work, first verify that the fuse_burn module is loaded:

   lsmod | grep fuse_burn
   

   If the module is not listed, you may need to load it manually:

   sudo modprobe fuse_burn
   

3. Check File Permissions:
   Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to read the file:

   ls -l /sys/module/fuse_burn/parameters/tegra_chip_uid
   

   If the permissions are restrictive, you may need to use sudo to read the file:

   sudo cat /sys/module/fuse_burn/parameters/tegra_chip_uid
   

4. Update System Software:
   If you’re unable to access the chip ID, ensure your system is up to date:

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt upgrade
   

   After updating, reboot the system and try accessing the chip ID again.

5. Alternative Methods:
   If the above method doesn’t work, you can try other system information commands that might reveal the chip ID or similar identifying information:

   sudo lshw
   

   Or:

   cat /proc/cpuinfo
   

6. Consult Nvidia Documentation:
   For the most up-to-date and accurate information, refer to the official Nvidia Jetson documentation. The method to access the chip ID may vary depending on the specific version of the Jetson Linux you’re running.

7. Community Support:
   If you’re still unable to retrieve the chip ID, consider posting a detailed question on the Nvidia Developer Forums, providing information about your specific Orin Nano model and the version of Jetson Linux you’re using.

Remember to handle the chip ID with care, as it’s a unique identifier for your device and may be sensitive information in certain contexts.