bsp-source-build

name	bsp-source-build
description	Build Seeed's custom BSP source code for Jetson devices — obtain NVIDIA L4T, overlay Seeed patches, compile kernel, and flash. Requires Ubuntu 20.04/22.04 host PC.

Build Seeed Jetson BSP from Source

Obtain the BSP source code for Seeed's Jetson products, overlay Seeed's customizations from GitHub, compile the kernel, and flash onto the device.

Hardware: Seeed Jetson device (reComputer/reServer), USB cable for flashing Software: Ubuntu 20.04 or 22.04 host PC (native)

Source: https://github.com/Seeed-Studio/Linux_for_Tegra

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Execution model

Run one phase at a time. After each phase:

• If output contains [STOP] → stop immediately, consult the failure decision tree
• If output ends with [OK] → tell the user "Phase N complete" and proceed

Replace <L4T_VERSION> with the target version (e.g. 36.4.3) throughout.

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Phase 1 — install build dependencies (~2 min)

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install -y build-essential flex bison libssl-dev \
  sshpass abootimg nfs-kernel-server libxml2-utils qemu-user-static git-lfs

[OK] when all packages install without errors.

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Phase 2 — download & extract NVIDIA BSP + rootfs (~10 min)

Download from https://developer.nvidia.com/embedded/linux-tegra-archive:

• L4T Driver Package (BSP): Jetson_Linux_r<L4T_VERSION>_aarch64.tbz2
• Sample Root Filesystem: Tegra_Linux_Sample-Root-Filesystem_r<L4T_VERSION>_aarch64.tbz2

tar xf Jetson_Linux_r<L4T_VERSION>_aarch64.tbz2
sudo tar xpf Tegra_Linux_Sample-Root-Filesystem_r<L4T_VERSION>_aarch64.tbz2 \
  -C Linux_for_Tegra/rootfs/

[OK] when Linux_for_Tegra/rootfs/ is populated.

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Phase 3 — sync NVIDIA source & overlay Seeed patches (~15 min)

cd Linux_for_Tegra/source/
./source_sync.sh -t jetson_<L4T_VERSION>
cd ../..

Clone Seeed's BSP overlay:

mkdir -p github/Linux_for_Tegra
git clone https://github.com/Seeed-Studio/Linux_for_Tegra.git \
  -b r<L4T_VERSION> --depth=1 github/Linux_for_Tegra

Overlay Seeed files:

cp -r github/Linux_for_Tegra/* Linux_for_Tegra/

Apply binaries:

cd Linux_for_Tegra
sudo ./apply_binaries.sh

[OK] when apply_binaries.sh completes.

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Phase 4 — setup cross-compilation toolchain (~2 min)

Download the toolchain aarch64--glibc--stable-2022.08-1.tar.bz2 and extract:

mkdir -p l4t-gcc
tar xf aarch64--glibc--stable-2022.08-1.tar.bz2 -C ./l4t-gcc
export ARCH=arm64
export CROSS_COMPILE=$(pwd)/l4t-gcc/aarch64--glibc--stable-2022.08-1/bin/aarch64-buildroot-linux-gnu-

[OK] when $CROSS_COMPILE points to a valid binary.

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Phase 5 — build kernel (~10–30 min)

cd Linux_for_Tegra/source
./nvbuild.sh

[OK] when build completes without errors.

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Phase 6 — install kernel & modules (~2 min)

./do_copy.sh
export INSTALL_MOD_PATH=$(pwd)/../rootfs/
./nvbuild.sh -i

[OK] when modules are installed to rootfs.

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Phase 7 — flash device (~15–30 min)

Put the Jetson device into recovery mode:

1. Power off
2. Hold REC button, connect USB to host
3. Release REC after 2 seconds

Verify:

lsusb | grep -i nvidia

Flash (JetPack 6 example):

cd ..
sudo ./tools/kernel_flash/l4t_initrd_flash.sh \
  --external-device nvme0n1p1 \
  -c tools/kernel_flash/flash_l4t_t234_nvme.xml \
  -p "-c bootloader/generic/cfg/flash_t234_qspi.xml" \
  --showlogs --network usb0 <DEVICE_NAME> internal

Replace <DEVICE_NAME> with your board's config name. Available names for L4T 36.4.3:

• recomputer-orin-j401
• recomputer-industrial-orin-j201 (also for j40/j30 series)
• reserver-agx-orin-j501x
• reserver-agx-orin-j501x-gmsl
• reserver-industrial-orin-j401
• recomputer-orin-j40mini
• recomputer-orin-robotics-j401
• recomputer-orin-super-j401

For JetPack 5, change the -p parameter to: -p "-c bootloader/t186ref/cfg/flash_t234_qspi.xml"

[OK] when flash completes and device boots.

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Failure decision tree

Symptom	Action
source_sync.sh fails	Check internet. Verify tag jetson_<L4T_VERSION> exists.
Seeed GitHub branch not found	Check available branches at https://github.com/Seeed-Studio/Linux_for_Tegra
apply_binaries.sh fails	Verify rootfs was extracted correctly. Re-extract and retry.
nvbuild.sh compile error	Check CROSS_COMPILE path. Ensure all build deps are installed.
lsusb doesn't show NVIDIA device	Re-enter recovery mode. Try a different USB cable/port.
Flash fails with device name error	Check .conf files in Linux_for_Tegra/ root for valid device names.
Flash fails mid-way	Retry. Ensure USB cable is ≤1.5m and stable.

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Reference files

• references/source.body.md — Original Seeed wiki with version-specific details and screenshots