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How to Use Jetson nano : Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

Image of Jetson nano
Cirkit Designer LogoDesign with Jetson nano in Cirkit Designer

Introduction

The Jetson Nano, developed by NVIDIA, is a compact yet powerful computer designed specifically for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications. It features a 128-core NVIDIA Maxwell GPU, a quad-core ARM Cortex-A57 CPU, and supports a wide range of interfaces for sensors and peripherals. This makes it an excellent choice for robotics, drones, smart cameras, and other embedded systems requiring AI capabilities.

Explore Projects Built with Jetson nano

Use Cirkit Designer to design, explore, and prototype these projects online. Some projects support real-time simulation. Click "Open Project" to start designing instantly!
Jetson Nano-Based Smart Fan with USB Connectivity
Image of skematik: A project utilizing Jetson nano  in a practical application
This circuit powers a Jetson Nano and a fan using a 220V AC power supply. The power supply converts the AC voltage to DC, which is then distributed to the Jetson Nano via a converter jack and to the fan. Additionally, a Jete w7 USB device is connected to the Jetson Nano.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Arduino Nano and nRF24L01 Wireless Controlled Robotic Platform
Image of Wheel ChAIR: A project utilizing Jetson nano  in a practical application
This circuit is a wireless controlled robotic vehicle system. It features two Arduino Nanos with nRF24L01 modules for remote communication, a joystick for control input, and a L298N motor driver to operate two DC gearmotors. Power is managed by 18650 Li-Ion batteries and 7805 voltage regulators, with rocker switches for power control.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Arduino Nano-Based Quadcopter with NRF24L01 Wireless Control and MPU-9250 Sensor
Image of Drone Circuit: A project utilizing Jetson nano  in a practical application
This circuit is a quadcopter control system that uses an Arduino Nano to manage four brushless motors via Electronic Speed Controllers (ESCs). It includes an NRF24L01 wireless module for remote communication and an MPU-9250 sensor for orientation and motion sensing, all powered by a LiPo battery through an XT60 power distribution board.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Arduino Nano-Based Drone Remote Control with NRF24L01 Wireless Communication
Image of Arduino Transmitter and receiver: A project utilizing Jetson nano  in a practical application
This circuit is a wireless drone control system utilizing two Arduino Nano microcontrollers. One Arduino Nano is configured as a transmitter with a joystick module, potentiometer, pushbuttons, and an NRF24L01 module for sending control signals. The other Arduino Nano acts as a receiver, interfacing with a corresponding NRF24L01 module to receive the transmitted signals, and it includes a buzzer for audio feedback. The system is powered by a 2x 18650 battery pack with voltage regulation provided by an AMS1117 3.3V regulator and an electrolytic capacitor for smoothing.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer

Explore Projects Built with Jetson nano

Use Cirkit Designer to design, explore, and prototype these projects online. Some projects support real-time simulation. Click "Open Project" to start designing instantly!
Image of skematik: A project utilizing Jetson nano  in a practical application
Jetson Nano-Based Smart Fan with USB Connectivity
This circuit powers a Jetson Nano and a fan using a 220V AC power supply. The power supply converts the AC voltage to DC, which is then distributed to the Jetson Nano via a converter jack and to the fan. Additionally, a Jete w7 USB device is connected to the Jetson Nano.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Image of Wheel ChAIR: A project utilizing Jetson nano  in a practical application
Arduino Nano and nRF24L01 Wireless Controlled Robotic Platform
This circuit is a wireless controlled robotic vehicle system. It features two Arduino Nanos with nRF24L01 modules for remote communication, a joystick for control input, and a L298N motor driver to operate two DC gearmotors. Power is managed by 18650 Li-Ion batteries and 7805 voltage regulators, with rocker switches for power control.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Image of Drone Circuit: A project utilizing Jetson nano  in a practical application
Arduino Nano-Based Quadcopter with NRF24L01 Wireless Control and MPU-9250 Sensor
This circuit is a quadcopter control system that uses an Arduino Nano to manage four brushless motors via Electronic Speed Controllers (ESCs). It includes an NRF24L01 wireless module for remote communication and an MPU-9250 sensor for orientation and motion sensing, all powered by a LiPo battery through an XT60 power distribution board.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Image of Arduino Transmitter and receiver: A project utilizing Jetson nano  in a practical application
Arduino Nano-Based Drone Remote Control with NRF24L01 Wireless Communication
This circuit is a wireless drone control system utilizing two Arduino Nano microcontrollers. One Arduino Nano is configured as a transmitter with a joystick module, potentiometer, pushbuttons, and an NRF24L01 module for sending control signals. The other Arduino Nano acts as a receiver, interfacing with a corresponding NRF24L01 module to receive the transmitted signals, and it includes a buzzer for audio feedback. The system is powered by a 2x 18650 battery pack with voltage regulation provided by an AMS1117 3.3V regulator and an electrolytic capacitor for smoothing.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer

Common Applications

  • Robotics and autonomous systems
  • Drones and UAVs
  • Smart surveillance and security systems
  • AI-powered IoT devices
  • Edge computing for real-time AI inference
  • Computer vision and image processing tasks

Technical Specifications

Key Technical Details

Specification Details
GPU 128-core NVIDIA Maxwell GPU
CPU Quad-core ARM Cortex-A57
Memory 4 GB LPDDR4
Storage microSD card slot (user-provided)
Connectivity Gigabit Ethernet
Power Input 5V/4A (via barrel jack or micro-USB)
Operating System Ubuntu-based NVIDIA JetPack SDK
Dimensions 100 mm x 80 mm
Weight ~140 grams

Pin Configuration and Descriptions

The Jetson Nano features a 40-pin GPIO header, similar to the Raspberry Pi, for interfacing with external devices. Below is a summary of the pin configuration:

Pin Number Pin Name Description
1 3.3V Power 3.3V power supply
2 5V Power 5V power supply
3 GPIO2 (I2C SDA) General-purpose I/O or I2C data line
4 5V Power 5V power supply
5 GPIO3 (I2C SCL) General-purpose I/O or I2C clock line
6 Ground Ground
7 GPIO4 General-purpose I/O
8 GPIO14 (UART TX) UART transmit line
9 Ground Ground
10 GPIO15 (UART RX) UART receive line
... ... ... (Refer to the official pinout diagram)

For the full GPIO pinout, refer to the official NVIDIA Jetson Nano documentation.

Usage Instructions

How to Use the Jetson Nano in a Circuit

  1. Powering the Jetson Nano:

    • Use a 5V/4A power supply via the barrel jack for optimal performance.
    • Alternatively, power it via the micro-USB port (not recommended for high-power applications).
  2. Setting Up the Operating System:

    • Download the NVIDIA JetPack SDK from the official website.
    • Flash the image onto a microSD card using tools like Etcher.
    • Insert the microSD card into the Jetson Nano and power it on.
  3. Connecting Peripherals:

    • Use the HDMI port to connect a display.
    • Attach a USB keyboard and mouse.
    • Connect sensors or other devices to the GPIO pins as needed.
  4. Programming and Development:

    • Use Python, C++, or other supported languages for AI and ML development.
    • Leverage NVIDIA libraries like TensorRT, CUDA, and cuDNN for optimized performance.

Important Considerations and Best Practices

  • Ensure adequate cooling: Use a heatsink and/or fan to prevent overheating during intensive tasks.
  • Use a high-quality microSD card (Class 10 or UHS-1) for better performance.
  • Avoid powering high-current peripherals directly from the GPIO pins; use external power supplies.
  • Regularly update the JetPack SDK to access the latest features and security patches.

Example: Using the Jetson Nano with an Arduino UNO

The Jetson Nano can communicate with an Arduino UNO via UART. Below is an example Python script for sending data from the Jetson Nano to the Arduino:

import serial
import time

Initialize serial communication with the Arduino

Replace '/dev/ttyUSB0' with the correct port for your Arduino

arduino = serial.Serial('/dev/ttyUSB0', 9600, timeout=1) time.sleep(2) # Wait for the connection to initialize

try: while True: # Send a message to the Arduino arduino.write(b'Hello from Jetson Nano!\n') print("Message sent to Arduino.")

    # Wait for a response from the Arduino
    response = arduino.readline().decode('utf-8').strip()
    if response:
        print(f"Received from Arduino: {response}")
    
    time.sleep(1)  # Delay between messages

except KeyboardInterrupt: print("Exiting program.") finally: arduino.close() # Close the serial connection


**Note**: Ensure the Arduino is programmed to handle incoming serial data and respond appropriately.

Troubleshooting and FAQs

Common Issues

  1. Jetson Nano does not boot:

    • Ensure the microSD card is properly inserted and contains a valid JetPack image.
    • Verify the power supply provides sufficient current (5V/4A recommended).
  2. Overheating during operation:

    • Install a heatsink and/or fan to improve cooling.
    • Avoid running intensive tasks for extended periods without proper cooling.
  3. GPIO pins not working:

    • Check the pin configuration and ensure the correct pins are being used.
    • Verify that the GPIO pins are not damaged or shorted.
  4. No display output:

    • Ensure the HDMI cable is securely connected.
    • Verify the display is powered on and set to the correct input source.

Solutions and Tips

  • Use the dmesg command in the terminal to diagnose hardware-related issues.
  • For software-related problems, consult the NVIDIA Developer Forums or the official Jetson Nano documentation.
  • If using peripherals, double-check wiring and connections to avoid shorts or incorrect pin assignments.

By following this documentation, users can effectively utilize the Jetson Nano for a wide range of AI and embedded system applications.