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How to Use Jetson: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

Image of Jetson
Cirkit Designer LogoDesign with Jetson in Cirkit Designer

Introduction

The Jetson Orin Nano, developed by NVIDIA, is a high-performance embedded computing board designed for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications. It is part of NVIDIA's Jetson series, which is renowned for its powerful GPU capabilities and energy-efficient design. The Orin Nano is particularly suited for edge AI applications, enabling real-time processing of complex algorithms in robotics, drones, smart devices, and industrial automation.

Explore Projects Built with Jetson

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 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 Pro Mini and ACS712 Current Sensor-Based Jeti EX Telemetry System
Image of CUR30J: A project utilizing Jetson in a practical application
This circuit integrates an Arduino Pro Mini with a Jeti Rex Receiver and an ACS712 current sensor to measure and transmit current, voltage, power, capacity, and rotation data. The Arduino processes sensor data and communicates it to the Jeti Rex Receiver for telemetry purposes.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Arduino-Controlled Motor System with Bluetooth Connectivity
Image of mine_1: A project utilizing Jetson in a practical application
This is a motor control system with wireless communication capabilities, designed to operate multiple motors via Cytron motor drivers, controlled by Arduino UNOs. It includes relays for activating a light and buzzer, and uses Bluetooth for remote operation. The system's software is in the initial stages of development.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
GPS-Enabled Telemetry Drone with Speedybee F405 WING and Brushless Motor
Image of Pharmadrone Wiring: A project utilizing Jetson in a practical application
This circuit is designed for a remote-controlled vehicle or drone, featuring a flight controller that manages a brushless motor, servomotors for actuation, telemetry for data communication, and a GPS module for positioning. It is powered by a lipo battery and includes a receiver for remote control inputs.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer

Explore Projects Built with Jetson

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 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 CUR30J: A project utilizing Jetson in a practical application
Arduino Pro Mini and ACS712 Current Sensor-Based Jeti EX Telemetry System
This circuit integrates an Arduino Pro Mini with a Jeti Rex Receiver and an ACS712 current sensor to measure and transmit current, voltage, power, capacity, and rotation data. The Arduino processes sensor data and communicates it to the Jeti Rex Receiver for telemetry purposes.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Image of mine_1: A project utilizing Jetson in a practical application
Arduino-Controlled Motor System with Bluetooth Connectivity
This is a motor control system with wireless communication capabilities, designed to operate multiple motors via Cytron motor drivers, controlled by Arduino UNOs. It includes relays for activating a light and buzzer, and uses Bluetooth for remote operation. The system's software is in the initial stages of development.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Image of Pharmadrone Wiring: A project utilizing Jetson in a practical application
GPS-Enabled Telemetry Drone with Speedybee F405 WING and Brushless Motor
This circuit is designed for a remote-controlled vehicle or drone, featuring a flight controller that manages a brushless motor, servomotors for actuation, telemetry for data communication, and a GPS module for positioning. It is powered by a lipo battery and includes a receiver for remote control inputs.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer

Common Applications and Use Cases

  • Robotics: Autonomous navigation, object detection, and manipulation.
  • Drones: Real-time image processing and flight control.
  • Smart Cameras: AI-powered video analytics and facial recognition.
  • IoT Devices: Edge AI for smart home and industrial automation.
  • Healthcare: Medical imaging and diagnostic tools.
  • Retail: Customer behavior analysis and inventory management.

Technical Specifications

The Jetson Orin Nano is designed to deliver exceptional performance while maintaining a compact and power-efficient form factor. Below are its key technical specifications:

Key Technical Details

Specification Details
Processor NVIDIA Ampere GPU with 1024 CUDA cores and 32 Tensor Cores
CPU 6-core ARM Cortex-A78AE v8.2 64-bit CPU
Memory 4GB or 8GB LPDDR5 (depending on model)
Storage eMMC 5.1 (16GB) and microSD card slot
AI Performance Up to 40 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second)
Power Consumption Configurable: 7W, 15W
Connectivity Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.2, I2C, SPI, UART
Display Support HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4a
Operating System NVIDIA JetPack SDK (based on Ubuntu Linux)
Dimensions 100mm x 80mm

Pin Configuration and Descriptions

The Jetson Orin Nano features a 260-pin SO-DIMM connector for interfacing with peripherals. Below is a summary of key pin configurations:

Pin Group Description
Power Pins Provides power input and ground connections.
GPIO Pins General-purpose input/output for custom peripherals.
I2C Pins Inter-Integrated Circuit communication for sensors and other devices.
SPI Pins Serial Peripheral Interface for high-speed communication.
UART Pins Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter for serial communication.
USB Pins USB 3.2 interface for external devices.
Ethernet Pins Gigabit Ethernet for network connectivity.
Display Pins HDMI and DisplayPort connections for video output.

Usage Instructions

The Jetson Orin Nano is designed to be user-friendly, but proper setup and configuration are essential for optimal performance. Follow the steps below to use the component effectively:

Setting Up the Jetson Orin Nano

  1. Power Supply: Connect a compatible power adapter (7W or 15W, depending on your configuration).
  2. Storage: Insert a microSD card with the NVIDIA JetPack SDK pre-installed or use the onboard eMMC storage.
  3. Peripherals: Connect a monitor via HDMI or DisplayPort, a keyboard, and a mouse.
  4. Networking: Connect to the internet using the Gigabit Ethernet port or a USB Wi-Fi adapter.
  5. Booting: Power on the device and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the initial setup.

Using the Jetson Orin Nano with Arduino UNO

The Jetson Orin Nano can interface with an Arduino UNO for sensor data processing or control applications. Below is an example of how to read data from an Arduino UNO via UART:

Arduino Code

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

void loop() {
  int sensorValue = analogRead(A0); // Read data from analog pin A0
  Serial.println(sensorValue);     // Send the sensor value over UART
  delay(1000);                     // Wait for 1 second before sending the next value
}

Jetson Orin Nano Python Code


Python code to read data from Arduino via UART on Jetson Orin Nano

import serial

Initialize UART communication

arduino = serial.Serial('/dev/ttyUSB0', 9600, timeout=1)

while True: try: # Read a line of data from Arduino data = arduino.readline().decode('utf-8').strip() if data: print(f"Sensor Value: {data}") # Print the received sensor value except Exception as e: print(f"Error: {e}") # Handle any communication errors


Important Considerations and Best Practices

  • Power Management: Ensure the power supply matches the required voltage and wattage.
  • Cooling: Use a heatsink or fan for thermal management during intensive workloads.
  • Software Updates: Regularly update the JetPack SDK for the latest features and security patches.
  • Peripheral Compatibility: Verify that connected devices are compatible with the Jetson Orin Nano.

Troubleshooting and FAQs

Common Issues and Solutions

  1. Device Not Booting:

    • Ensure the power supply is properly connected and meets the required specifications.
    • Check the microSD card or eMMC storage for a valid JetPack SDK installation.
  2. No Display Output:

    • Verify that the HDMI or DisplayPort cable is securely connected.
    • Ensure the monitor is powered on and set to the correct input source.
  3. UART Communication Issues:

    • Confirm the baud rate and serial port settings match between the Jetson Orin Nano and the Arduino.
    • Check the physical connections for loose or damaged wires.
  4. Overheating:

    • Install a heatsink or fan to improve cooling.
    • Reduce the power mode to 7W if thermal issues persist.

FAQs

  • Q: Can I use the Jetson Orin Nano for deep learning?

    • A: Yes, the Orin Nano is optimized for AI and deep learning applications, with up to 40 TOPS of performance.
  • Q: What operating systems are supported?

    • A: The Jetson Orin Nano runs the NVIDIA JetPack SDK, which is based on Ubuntu Linux.
  • Q: How do I update the JetPack SDK?

    • A: Use the NVIDIA SDK Manager to download and install the latest version of JetPack.
  • Q: Can I power the Jetson Orin Nano via USB?

    • A: No, the Orin Nano requires a dedicated power adapter for operation.

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