Measuring Current Draw on Jetson Orin Nano Carrier Board

Issue Overview

Users are seeking a method to measure the current draw of the Jetson Orin Nano module on its carrier board, specifically for the VDD_CVM power rail. This information is crucial for power consumption analysis, optimization, and ensuring proper power supply design in embedded systems utilizing the Jetson Orin Nano.

Possible Causes

1. Limited built-in measurement capabilities: The Jetson Orin Nano carrier board may not have dedicated current measurement circuitry for all power rails.

2. Lack of documentation: Users might be unaware of existing software-based methods for power monitoring.

3. Hardware limitations: Direct measurement of VDD_CVM might require physical modifications or additional equipment.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Use the tegrastats command:
   The simplest way to monitor power consumption is by using the built-in tegrastats command. This method doesn’t require any hardware modifications.

   To use tegrastats:
   a. Open a terminal on your Jetson Orin Nano.
   b. Run the following command:

   sudo tegrastats
   

   c. Look for the "VDD_CVM" entry in the output, which should display the current power consumption.

2. External measurement:
   For more precise measurements or if tegrastats doesn’t provide the desired information:
   a. Use a high-precision multimeter or oscilloscope with current measurement capabilities.
   b. Carefully identify the VDD_CVM power rail on the carrier board.
   c. If possible, insert a low-value precision resistor (e.g., 0.1 ohm) in series with the VDD_CVM rail.
   d. Measure the voltage drop across this resistor to calculate the current (I = V/R).

   Caution: This method requires advanced electronics knowledge and may void your warranty. Proceed with caution.

3. Power monitoring IC:
   If frequent measurements are needed:
   a. Research compatible power monitoring ICs (e.g., INA219, INA226).
   b. Design a small PCB that can be inserted between the Jetson module and the carrier board.
   c. Implement the power monitoring IC to measure VDD_CVM current.
   d. Use I2C or SPI to communicate with the monitoring IC from the Jetson.

4. NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin Developer Kit:
   For development purposes, consider using the NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin Developer Kit, which has more advanced power measurement features built-in.

5. Software-based estimation:
   Develop a software model that estimates power consumption based on CPU/GPU utilization, memory usage, and other system metrics. While not as accurate as direct measurement, it can provide useful approximations.

6. Check for updated documentation:
   Regularly check NVIDIA’s developer website and forums for any new tools or methods for power measurement on the Jetson Orin Nano platform.

7. Community resources:
   Engage with the NVIDIA Developer community forums to see if other users have developed custom solutions for this specific measurement need.

Remember that any hardware modifications or external measurements should be performed with caution to avoid damaging your Jetson Orin Nano or voiding its warranty. Always consult official documentation and seek expert advice when dealing with power measurements on embedded systems.