Self made carrier board cannot enter the system

Issue Overview

Users have reported issues with the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board where the module fails to boot up properly after being installed on a custom-designed carrier board. The specific symptoms include:

• The Nano module does not enter the system upon powering up.
• The issue arises after modifications were made to the carrier board, particularly changing the USB HUB chip from RTS5420 to RTS5411.

This problem occurs during the initial power-up phase of the device. Users have referenced designing their own carrier boards based on the P3768 model, indicating that modifications may have been made to accommodate specific requirements or functionalities.

The frequency of this issue appears to be consistent among users who have attempted similar customizations. The impact on user experience is significant, as it prevents access to the system and hinders development efforts.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes could lead to this issue:

• Hardware Incompatibilities: The change in the HUB chip from RTS5420 to RTS5411 may introduce compatibility issues that prevent proper booting.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect configurations in the custom board design could lead to failure in initializing necessary components during boot.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: There may be software incompatibilities with the modified hardware, particularly if specific drivers or firmware are not aligned with the new hardware setup.

• Driver Issues: If drivers for the RTS5411 chip are not correctly installed or compatible, this could lead to failures in USB and TYPE-C functionality.

• Environmental Factors: Issues such as inadequate power supply or overheating could also contribute to boot failures.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Missteps during the design or assembly of the carrier board might lead to critical connections being missed or improperly configured.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To diagnose and potentially resolve this issue, follow these steps:

1. Verify Hardware Connections:

   • Ensure that all connections on the custom carrier board are secure and correctly oriented.
   • Check for any visible damage on components.

2. Check Power Supply:

   • Confirm that the power supply meets the specifications required by the Jetson Nano module.
   • Use a multimeter to verify voltage levels at various points on the board.

3. Review Custom Board Design:

   • Compare your design against the P3768 reference design.
   • Pay special attention to the USB HUB connections and pin configurations.

4. Consult Documentation:

   • Refer to the "Jetson Orin NX and Nano Series — NVIDIA Jetson Linux Developer Guide" for guidance on custom board adaptations. This documentation may provide insights into necessary configurations and common pitfalls when designing carrier boards.

5. Test with Different HUB Chip:

   • If possible, revert back to using the RTS5420 HUB chip temporarily to determine if this resolves the boot issue.
   • If reverting is not feasible, consider acquiring a new RTS5411 chip from a different supplier to rule out defects.

6. Update Firmware and Drivers:

   • Ensure that you are using the latest firmware for your Jetson module.
   • Check for driver updates specific to your hardware configuration and install them as necessary.

7. Run Diagnostic Commands:

   • Use terminal commands such as dmesg and lsusb (if accessible) after attempting a boot to gather logs that might indicate where the failure occurs.

8. Isolation Testing:

   • Test with minimal configurations—disconnect any non-essential peripherals and components.
   • Attempt to boot with only essential connections (e.g., power supply and display).

9. Seek Community Support:

   • If problems persist, consider posting detailed logs and descriptions of your setup on relevant forums for additional insights from experienced users.

10. Best Practices for Future Designs:

    • When designing custom boards, ensure thorough testing of all components before finalizing designs.
    • Keep documentation of all changes made during design iterations for easier troubleshooting in future projects.

By following these steps, users can systematically identify and address issues preventing their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board from booting successfully on a custom carrier board.