Idle Power Consumption of Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board

Issue Overview

The discussion centers around the idle power consumption of the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano 4GB Dev board, particularly when using typical NVMe storage and running the default Jetson Linux installation without any peripherals connected. Users are experiencing uncertainty regarding the power consumption levels during idle states, which is critical for applications with low processing duty cycles where idle energy usage significantly impacts overall energy efficiency.

The main symptoms reported include:

• Power Measurement: Users have measured idle power consumption around 1-1.1 W for the Jetson Nano production module.
• Lack of Documentation: There is a noted absence of comprehensive testing or documented results regarding the idle power consumption of the Orin Nano 4GB, leading to confusion among users.

The issue arises in contexts where developers are looking to optimize energy usage for applications that require minimal processing power, thereby making idle power consumption a crucial factor in their design considerations. The frequency of this inquiry suggests that it is a common concern among users interested in deploying the Orin Nano for energy-sensitive applications.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes can lead to discrepancies or uncertainties in measuring idle power consumption:

• Hardware Incompatibilities: Differences in hardware configurations, such as variations in NVMe storage types, could affect power consumption readings.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: The default Jetson Linux installation may have unresolved bugs that impact power management features, leading to higher than expected idle power consumption.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings in the operating system or application configurations may prevent the device from entering a low-power state during idle periods.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers may not support optimal power management features, resulting in increased idle power usage.

• Environmental Factors: External conditions such as temperature fluctuations or unstable power supply can influence the performance and power consumption of electronic devices.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Users may inadvertently misconfigure settings that affect power management, leading to higher idle consumption.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address the issue of idle power consumption on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board, users can follow these comprehensive troubleshooting steps and solutions:

1. Measure Idle Power Consumption:

   • Use a multimeter or a dedicated power meter to measure the actual power draw of the Orin Nano when it is in an idle state.
   • Ensure that no peripherals are connected during measurement for accurate results.

2. Update Software and Drivers:

   • Ensure that you are using the latest version of Jetson Linux. Check for updates regularly as they may include important optimizations for power management.
   • Run the following command to update your system:

     sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
     

3. Check Configuration Settings:

   • Review your system settings to ensure that energy-saving features are enabled. Look for options related to CPU frequency scaling and GPU performance modes.
   • You can check current CPU frequency settings with:

     cat /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu*/cpufreq/scaling_cur_freq
     

4. Test with Different Hardware Configurations:

   • If possible, test with different NVMe drives or disconnect any additional hardware components to see if there is a significant change in idle power consumption.

5. Monitor System Logs:

   • Review system logs for any errors or warnings that might indicate issues with hardware components or software processes consuming excess power.
   • Use the following command to view logs:

     dmesg | less
     

6. Implement Power Management Tools:

   • Utilize tools like nvpmodel and jetson_clocks to manage performance modes effectively and optimize for lower power usage during idle states.
   • Example commands:

     sudo nvpmodel -m 1  # Set to a low-power mode
     sudo jetson_clocks  # Reset clocks to default
     

7. Document Findings and Share Results:

   • If you gather data on your measurements, share your findings on forums or community platforms to help others facing similar issues.
   • Consider reaching out directly to Nvidia support or community forums for additional insights or shared experiences regarding idle power consumption.

8. Best Practices for Future Use:

   • When designing applications for low-power environments, always consider potential idle states and how they can be optimized through software and hardware choices.
   • Regularly review documentation from Nvidia regarding best practices for energy efficiency with Jetson products.

By following these steps, users can better understand and potentially mitigate issues related to idle power consumption on their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev boards. Further investigation may be needed if problems persist despite these troubleshooting efforts, particularly regarding software updates and driver compatibility.