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How to Use Orin Nano: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

Image of Orin Nano
Cirkit Designer LogoDesign with Orin Nano in Cirkit Designer

Introduction

The NVIDIA Orin Nano is a compact, high-performance computing platform designed for artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics applications. It is powered by NVIDIA's Orin system-on-chip (SoC), which integrates advanced GPU capabilities, deep learning acceleration, and efficient power management. The Orin Nano is ideal for developers and engineers looking to deploy AI-powered solutions in edge devices, robotics, autonomous machines, and IoT systems.

Explore Projects Built with Orin 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!
Arduino Nano-Based OLED Clock with RTC and LiPo Battery Charging
Image of RTC for Keyboard: A project utilizing Orin Nano in a practical application
This circuit features an Arduino Nano connected to an OLED display and a DS3231 real-time clock (RTC) module for displaying the current time. The Arduino Nano is powered through a toggle switch connected to its VIN pin, with power supplied by a TP4056 charging module that charges and manages two 3.7V LiPo batteries connected in parallel. The OLED and RTC module communicate with the Arduino via I2C, with shared SDA and SCL lines connected to the A4 and A5 pins of the Arduino, respectively.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Arduino Nano Controlled Inductive Sensor with OLED Display
Image of Digital RPM Sensor: A project utilizing Orin Nano in a practical application
This circuit features an Arduino Nano microcontroller interfaced with a 0.96" OLED display and an inductive sensor. The Arduino Nano provides power to both the OLED and the sensor, and communicates with the OLED via I2C (using A4 for SDA and A5 for SCK). The inductive sensor is connected to the A3 pin of the Arduino, likely for sensing metallic objects and sending the signal back to the microcontroller for processing.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Arduino Nano and OLED Display for Real-Time Data Visualization
Image of OLED Display: A project utilizing Orin Nano in a practical application
This circuit consists of an Arduino Nano microcontroller connected to a 0.96" OLED display. The Arduino Nano provides power to the OLED display and communicates with it using the I2C protocol via the A4 (SDA) and A5 (SCK) pins.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Arduino Nano-Based Heart Rate and Oxygen Monitor with OLED Display
Image of Pulse Oximeter- Anurag Deb: A project utilizing Orin Nano in a practical application
This circuit is a health monitoring system that uses an Arduino Nano to interface with a MAX30102 heart rate and oxygen sensor and a 0.96" OLED display. The system measures heart rate and blood oxygen levels, displaying the results on the OLED screen, and includes a pushbutton for user interaction.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer

Explore Projects Built with Orin 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 RTC for Keyboard: A project utilizing Orin Nano in a practical application
Arduino Nano-Based OLED Clock with RTC and LiPo Battery Charging
This circuit features an Arduino Nano connected to an OLED display and a DS3231 real-time clock (RTC) module for displaying the current time. The Arduino Nano is powered through a toggle switch connected to its VIN pin, with power supplied by a TP4056 charging module that charges and manages two 3.7V LiPo batteries connected in parallel. The OLED and RTC module communicate with the Arduino via I2C, with shared SDA and SCL lines connected to the A4 and A5 pins of the Arduino, respectively.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Image of Digital RPM Sensor: A project utilizing Orin Nano in a practical application
Arduino Nano Controlled Inductive Sensor with OLED Display
This circuit features an Arduino Nano microcontroller interfaced with a 0.96" OLED display and an inductive sensor. The Arduino Nano provides power to both the OLED and the sensor, and communicates with the OLED via I2C (using A4 for SDA and A5 for SCK). The inductive sensor is connected to the A3 pin of the Arduino, likely for sensing metallic objects and sending the signal back to the microcontroller for processing.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Image of OLED Display: A project utilizing Orin Nano in a practical application
Arduino Nano and OLED Display for Real-Time Data Visualization
This circuit consists of an Arduino Nano microcontroller connected to a 0.96" OLED display. The Arduino Nano provides power to the OLED display and communicates with it using the I2C protocol via the A4 (SDA) and A5 (SCK) pins.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Image of Pulse Oximeter- Anurag Deb: A project utilizing Orin Nano in a practical application
Arduino Nano-Based Heart Rate and Oxygen Monitor with OLED Display
This circuit is a health monitoring system that uses an Arduino Nano to interface with a MAX30102 heart rate and oxygen sensor and a 0.96" OLED display. The system measures heart rate and blood oxygen levels, displaying the results on the OLED screen, and includes a pushbutton for user interaction.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer

Common Applications and Use Cases

  • AI-powered robotics and automation
  • Edge computing for real-time data processing
  • Computer vision and image recognition
  • Natural language processing (NLP) and speech recognition
  • Autonomous vehicles and drones
  • Smart surveillance and security systems

Technical Specifications

The Orin Nano is available in multiple configurations to suit a variety of performance and power requirements. Below are the key technical details:

Key Specifications

Parameter Value
GPU Architecture NVIDIA Ampere
GPU Cores Up to 1024 CUDA cores
Tensor Cores Up to 32
CPU 6-core ARM Cortex-A78AE v8.2 64-bit CPU
Memory Up to 8 GB LPDDR5
Storage eMMC 5.1 (16 GB)
AI Performance Up to 40 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second)
Power Consumption Configurable: 7W to 15W
Connectivity PCIe Gen4, USB 3.2, Gigabit Ethernet
Operating Temperature -25°C to 80°C
Dimensions 69.6 mm x 45 mm

Pin Configuration and Descriptions

The Orin Nano module connects to a carrier board via a 260-pin SO-DIMM connector. Below is a summary of key pin groups:

Pin Group Description
Power Pins Supplies power to the module (3.3V, 5V, 12V)
GPIO Pins General-purpose input/output for custom I/O
I2C Pins Communication with sensors and peripherals
UART Pins Serial communication for debugging or devices
USB Pins High-speed USB 3.2 connectivity
PCIe Pins High-speed PCIe Gen4 interface
Ethernet Pins Gigabit Ethernet for networking
Display Pins HDMI and DisplayPort output

For a detailed pinout, refer to the official NVIDIA Orin Nano datasheet.

Usage Instructions

How to Use the Orin Nano in a Circuit

  1. Power Supply: Ensure the carrier board provides a stable power supply within the module's operating range (7W to 15W). Use a high-quality power adapter to avoid voltage fluctuations.
  2. Cooling: Attach an appropriate heatsink or active cooling solution to maintain optimal operating temperatures, especially under heavy workloads.
  3. Carrier Board: Connect the Orin Nano module to a compatible carrier board via the SO-DIMM connector. Ensure the board supports the required interfaces (e.g., USB, Ethernet, PCIe).
  4. Peripherals: Connect peripherals such as cameras, sensors, and displays to the appropriate pins or ports on the carrier board.
  5. Software Setup: Flash the NVIDIA JetPack SDK onto the module's eMMC storage or an external microSD card. JetPack provides the necessary drivers, libraries, and tools for AI and robotics development.
  6. Development Environment: Use NVIDIA's CUDA, TensorRT, and DeepStream SDKs to develop and deploy AI models. Python and C++ are commonly used programming languages.

Important Considerations and Best Practices

  • Power Management: Configure the power mode (7W, 10W, or 15W) based on your application's performance and thermal requirements.
  • Thermal Management: Monitor the module's temperature using software tools and ensure adequate cooling to prevent thermal throttling.
  • Software Updates: Regularly update the JetPack SDK to access the latest features, performance improvements, and security patches.
  • Debugging: Use the UART pins for serial debugging during development.

Example: Using Orin Nano with Arduino UNO

The Orin Nano can communicate with an Arduino UNO via UART or I2C. Below is an example of using UART to send data from the Arduino to the Orin Nano.

Arduino Code

// Arduino code to send data via UART to the Orin Nano
void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600); // Initialize UART communication at 9600 baud
}

void loop() {
  Serial.println("Hello from Arduino!"); // Send a message to Orin Nano
  delay(1000); // Wait for 1 second
}

Python Code for Orin Nano


Python code to receive data from Arduino via UART on Orin Nano

import serial

Initialize UART communication (adjust port and baud rate as needed)

arduino = serial.Serial('/dev/ttyTHS1', 9600, timeout=1)

while True: # Read data from Arduino data = arduino.readline().decode('utf-8').strip() if data: print(f"Received: {data}") # Print received data


Troubleshooting and FAQs

Common Issues and Solutions

  1. Module Not Powering On

    • Cause: Insufficient or unstable power supply.
    • Solution: Verify the power adapter and ensure the carrier board provides the required voltage and current.
  2. Overheating

    • Cause: Inadequate cooling or high ambient temperature.
    • Solution: Install a heatsink or active cooling solution. Ensure proper airflow around the module.
  3. No Display Output

    • Cause: Incorrect display connection or unsupported resolution.
    • Solution: Check the display cable and ensure the monitor supports the configured resolution.
  4. UART Communication Issues

    • Cause: Incorrect baud rate or wiring.
    • Solution: Verify the baud rate and ensure TX and RX pins are correctly connected.
  5. Software Installation Fails

    • Cause: Corrupted JetPack SDK or insufficient storage.
    • Solution: Re-download the JetPack SDK and ensure sufficient storage space on the module.

FAQs

  • Q: Can the Orin Nano run multiple AI models simultaneously?

    • A: Yes, the Orin Nano's GPU and Tensor Cores allow it to run multiple AI models concurrently, depending on the workload and available resources.
  • Q: What operating systems are supported?

    • A: The Orin Nano supports Linux-based operating systems, including NVIDIA's custom Ubuntu-based distribution provided with JetPack.
  • Q: Can I use the Orin Nano for real-time applications?

    • A: Yes, the Orin Nano's CPU and GPU are optimized for real-time AI and robotics applications.
  • Q: Is the Orin Nano compatible with Raspberry Pi accessories?

    • A: Some Raspberry Pi accessories may be compatible, but compatibility depends on the specific accessory and the carrier board used.

For additional support, refer to the official NVIDIA Orin Nano documentation and community forums.