Unhandled Exception in EL3 on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board

Issue Overview

Users of the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Board are experiencing a critical boot failure characterized by an "Unhandled Exception in EL3" error. This issue occurs during the early stages of the boot process, specifically after the MB2 (BootROM) stage and during the execution of the Trusted Firmware-A (TF-A) BL31 stage. The error is accompanied by a RAS (Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability) Uncorrectable Error in the IOB (I/O Bridge), suggesting a hardware-level issue or a severe firmware/software incompatibility[1].

Possible Causes

1. Hardware Defect: The RAS Uncorrectable Error could indicate a physical problem with the IOB or related components.

2. Firmware Corruption: The TF-A BL31 stage or other critical firmware components may be corrupted or incompatible.

3. Memory Issues: The error occurs during memory access, which could point to DRAM problems or misconfiguration.

4. Power Supply Problems: Insufficient or unstable power delivery could cause hardware components to malfunction.

5. Overheating: Thermal issues might lead to hardware instability and unexpected errors.

6. Software Incompatibility: Mismatched versions of firmware, bootloader, or operating system components could trigger this error.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify Hardware Integrity:

   • Inspect the board for any visible damage or loose connections.
   • Ensure all cables and peripherals are properly connected.
   • Try a different power supply to rule out power-related issues.

2. Check DRAM Configuration:

   • Verify that the DRAM modules are properly seated and compatible with the board.
   • If possible, try using different DRAM modules to isolate memory-related problems.

3. Update Firmware and Software:

   • Ensure you are using the latest Jetson Linux and JetPack versions compatible with the Orin Nano.
   • Follow NVIDIA’s official update procedure to flash the latest system image:

     sudo ./flash.sh jetson-orin-nano-devkit mmcblk0p1
     

4. Perform a Clean Installation:

   • Download a fresh copy of the Jetson Linux package from NVIDIA’s developer website.
   • Use NVIDIA SDK Manager to perform a clean installation of the entire software stack.

5. Check for Overheating:

   • Ensure proper ventilation around the board.
   • Monitor temperature readings during boot if possible.
   • Consider using additional cooling solutions if temperatures are consistently high.

6. Disable Features for Troubleshooting:

   • If possible, access the device’s U-Boot environment and disable non-essential features to isolate the issue.
   • Try booting with minimal configuration to determine if specific components are causing the problem.

7. Collect Detailed Logs:

   • If available, use NVIDIA’s debug tools to capture more detailed boot logs.
   • Look for any additional error messages or warnings that precede the EL3 exception.

8. Contact NVIDIA Support:

   • If the issue persists after trying the above steps, contact NVIDIA’s developer support.
   • Provide them with:
     • The exact model and revision of your Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board
     • Detailed description of the issue and steps to reproduce
     • Complete boot logs and error messages
     • List of all troubleshooting steps already attempted

9. Consider RMA:

   • If the problem is determined to be hardware-related and the board is under warranty, initiate the RMA process with NVIDIA for a replacement.

Remember to document all steps taken and their outcomes, as this information will be valuable for further troubleshooting or when seeking assistance from NVIDIA support[1].