Jetson Orin NX eMMC configuration

Robotics & Edge Computing Jetson Systems Jetson Orin NX
1

I believe that the Orin NX doesn’t natively support eMMC storage but is there a way to use a USB 3.2 to eMMC bridge (ex. genesys logic GL3227E or similar product) to connect the USB 3.2 pins to eMMC. Would it just recognize the eMMC as a mass storage device like an SSD? Are there any suggestions on components I should use?

2

*** Please note that this reply is generated by LLM automatically ***

The Jetson Orin NX series and the Orin Nano series do not natively support eMMC storage. However, you can use a USB 3.2 to eMMC bridge to connect the USB 3.2 pins to eMMC.

The Genesys Logic GL3227E is a USB 3.2 to eMMC bridge controller that can be used to connect a USB 3.2 host to an eMMC device. This bridge controller supports the USB 3.2 Gen 2 specification and can provide a data transfer rate of up to 10 Gbps.

When using a USB 3.2 to eMMC bridge, the eMMC device will be recognized as a mass storage device by the Jetson Orin NX or Orin Nano module. This means that the eMMC device will be treated as a USB storage device, similar to an SSD.

To use a USB 3.2 to eMMC bridge, you will need to:

  1. Select a suitable USB 3.2 to eMMC bridge controller, such as the Genesys Logic GL3227E.
  2. Design a PCB that connects the USB 3.2 pins to the eMMC device through the bridge controller.
  3. Ensure that the PCB is compatible with the Jetson Orin NX or Orin Nano module’s USB 3.2 interface.
  4. Install the necessary drivers and software to support the USB 3.2 to eMMC bridge on the Jetson Orin NX or Orin Nano module.

Some other components you may consider using for this application include:

  • The ASMedia ASM1352R, which is a USB 3.2 to eMMC bridge controller that supports the USB 3.2 Gen 2 specification.
  • The Realtek RTL9210, which is a USB 3.2 to eMMC bridge controller that supports the USB 3.2 Gen 2 specification.
  • The Texas Instruments TUSB9261, which is a USB 3.2 to eMMC bridge controller that supports the USB 3.2 Gen 2 specification.

When selecting a USB 3.2 to eMMC bridge controller, consider the following factors:

  • Compatibility: Ensure that the bridge controller is compatible with the Jetson Orin NX or Orin Nano module’s USB 3.2 interface.
  • Performance: Consider the data transfer rate and latency requirements of your application.
  • Power consumption: Consider the power consumption of the bridge controller and ensure that it is within the acceptable range for your application.
  • Cost: Consider the cost of the bridge controller and ensure that it is within your budget.

In summary, using a USB 3.2 to eMMC bridge is a viable option for connecting an eMMC device to the Jetson Orin NX or Orin Nano module. However, you will need to carefully select a suitable bridge controller and design a compatible PCB to ensure reliable operation.

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4

(Moved to Orin NX forum)

Are you considering the eMMC connecting to Orin NX through USB 3.2 to eMMC to be the boot drive? If so, that may not work as per this thread: I'm using a system that employs a USB-to-eMMC chip, utilizing eMMC as the system boot drive. Is this approach feasible?

Otherwise if it is just a storage drive and not a boot drive, the GL3227E might work since it is supposed to comply with the USB 3.0 spec but it has not been mentioned in any other Orin NX/Nano forum posts, so it may be a challenge to find an appropriate/working driver.

Note that the two other bridges the LLM mentioned above (Realtek RTL9210, Texas Instruments TUSB9261) are not for eMMC, so they don’t apply for your usecase.