Choosing between Jetson Orin NX 8GB and Xavier NX 8GB for long-term industrial IoT project

Issue Overview

Industrial IoT gateway developers are facing a decision between the Jetson Orin NX 8GB and the Xavier NX 8GB for a project targeting production in late 2024 with a product lifecycle of 5-6 years. Both modules have been tested and found to run the required packages and scripts successfully. The decision needs to be made based on factors such as long-term SDK support, performance, and product lifecycle.

Possible Causes

Several factors contribute to the complexity of this decision:

1. Product Lifecycle: The extended product lifecycles for both Xavier NX and Orin NX now end in January 2028, which may impact long-term support considerations.

2. Performance Differences: The Orin NX likely offers improved performance over the Xavier NX, which could affect long-term scalability and future-proofing of the project.

3. SDK Support: The duration and quality of SDK support for each platform may vary, potentially affecting the project’s long-term viability.

4. Cost Considerations: There may be price differences between the two modules that could impact the overall project budget.

5. Power Efficiency: The newer Orin NX might offer better power efficiency, which could be crucial for IoT applications.

6. Ecosystem Compatibility: The maturity and breadth of the ecosystem surrounding each platform could influence the decision.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To make an informed decision between the Jetson Orin NX 8GB and Xavier NX 8GB for your long-term industrial IoT project, consider the following steps and recommendations:

1. Evaluate Performance Requirements:

   • Benchmark your specific IoT gateway applications on both platforms.
   • Consider future performance needs and scalability.
   • The Orin NX likely offers superior performance, which may be beneficial for future-proofing your project.

2. Analyze SDK Support:

   • Review NVIDIA’s SDK support roadmap for both platforms.
   • Consider that the Orin NX, being newer, may receive more extended and comprehensive SDK support.
   • Check the frequency of updates and the quality of documentation for each platform.

3. Assess Product Lifecycle:

   • Both Xavier NX and Orin NX now have extended lifecycles until January 2028.
   • For a project starting production in late 2024 with a 5-6 year lifespan, the Orin NX might be a better fit as it’s a newer platform.

4. Consider Cost Factors:

   • Compare the pricing of both modules and factor in any potential volume discounts.
   • Evaluate the total cost of ownership, including power consumption and potential maintenance costs.

5. Examine Power Efficiency:

   • Conduct power consumption tests with your specific workloads on both platforms.
   • The Orin NX may offer better performance-per-watt, which could be crucial for IoT deployments.

6. Review Ecosystem and Community Support:

   • Investigate the availability of third-party libraries, tools, and resources for both platforms.
   • Consider the active community support and the availability of solutions for common issues.

7. Compatibility Testing:

   • Thoroughly test all your IoT gateway packages and scripts on both platforms.
   • Pay special attention to any hardware-specific features or optimizations you might be using.

8. Future-proofing Considerations:

   • Evaluate the potential for AI and machine learning integration in your IoT gateway.
   • The Orin NX’s improved AI performance might be beneficial for future enhancements.

9. Thermal Management:

   • Assess the thermal characteristics of both modules in your specific IoT gateway enclosure.
   • Consider any differences in cooling requirements between the two platforms.

10. Migration Path:

    • If choosing the Xavier NX, plan for a potential migration to Orin or future platforms.
    • Develop with portability in mind to ease future transitions.

11. Consult with NVIDIA:

    • Reach out to NVIDIA’s support or sales team for insights on long-term support plans for both platforms.
    • Inquire about any upcoming features or improvements specific to IoT use cases.

12. Risk Assessment:

    • Conduct a risk assessment for both options, considering factors like supply chain stability and long-term availability.

Given the information provided, the Jetson Orin NX 8GB appears to be the more future-proof choice for a project starting production in late 2024 with a 5-6 year lifespan. It offers potentially better performance, power efficiency, and may receive more extended software support. However, carefully weigh this against your specific project requirements, budget constraints, and the results of your thorough testing and evaluation process.