Reduce Orin Nano Idle Power

Issue Overview

Users of the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit (8GB) have reported concerns regarding high idle power consumption after flashing the default JetPack 5.1.1 on Ubuntu 20.04. The specific symptoms include:

• Idle Power Data:
  • CPU and GPU: 360mW
  • SOC: 1.5W
  • VDD_IN: 4.7W

The primary issue is that while the CPU and GPU consume relatively low power, the VDD_IN reading is significantly higher, raising questions about the overall power efficiency of the board during idle states.

This issue occurs immediately upon powering on the system and persists consistently across multiple sessions. The impact on user experience includes increased energy costs and potential limitations in battery-operated applications, where power efficiency is critical.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes for the high idle power consumption have been identified:

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: Inefficiencies in the design of voltage converters may lead to higher power consumption at low loads.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: The JetPack version or underlying drivers may not be optimized for low-power states, contributing to unnecessary power draw.

• Configuration Errors: Default settings may not be optimized for power efficiency, leading to higher idle consumption.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or improperly configured drivers could prevent hardware from entering low-power states effectively.

• Environmental Factors: External factors such as temperature or power supply quality can affect power consumption.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Users may not be aware of settings that can reduce power consumption, leading to higher than necessary idle power usage.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address the high idle power consumption on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Kit, users can follow these troubleshooting steps and solutions:

1. Check Power Consumption Settings:

   • Ensure that the board is configured to operate in a lower power mode if available.
   • Refer to the Jetson Linux Developer Guide for information on enabling 7W mode for optimal performance.

2. Disable Unused Hardware Modules:

   • If certain hardware modules (e.g., Ethernet, SPI, UART) are not in use, consider disabling them to save power.
   • Note that while SPI/I2C/UART may not significantly impact power draw, Ethernet PHY cannot be turned off.

3. Optimize Voltage Converter Efficiency:

   • Understand that step-down voltage converters are less efficient at low loads; aim for a minimum load of around 80% for optimal performance.
   • Consider implementing custom baseboard designs with better voltage regulation if feasible.

4. Update Software and Drivers:

   • Ensure that you are using the latest version of JetPack and check for any driver updates that may improve power management.
   • Use terminal commands to check for updates:

     sudo apt update
     sudo apt upgrade
     

5. Monitor System Performance:

   • Use tools like nvpmodel and tegrastats to monitor system performance and identify components consuming excessive power.
   • Example command to check current mode:

     sudo nvpmodel -q
     

6. Implement Power Management Techniques:

   • Explore options for implementing power-on/power-off mechanisms on a custom baseboard as suggested by users in the forum discussion.

7. Test Different Configurations:

   • Isolate the issue by testing different hardware configurations or software setups to determine if specific components contribute more to idle power draw.

8. Documentation and Resources:

   • Regularly consult Nvidia’s official documentation for updates on best practices regarding power management on the Jetson platform.

By following these steps, users can potentially reduce idle power consumption significantly. If issues persist despite these efforts, further investigation into hardware specifics or deeper software optimizations may be necessary.