Jetson Nano and Orin Nano Compatibility for Custom Carrier Boards

Issue Overview

The main issue revolves around the compatibility between the Jetson Nano and Jetson Orin Nano when designing a custom carrier board. Users are specifically concerned about whether a carrier board designed for the Jetson Nano can also accommodate the Jetson Orin Nano. This question arises from the apparent similarities in pinout and power architecture between the two modules.

The compatibility issue is crucial for developers and manufacturers who are creating custom carrier boards and want to ensure their designs can support both the Jetson Nano and Orin Nano modules. This compatibility would allow for greater flexibility and future-proofing of their designs.

Possible Causes

1. Form Factor Differences: While the Jetson Nano and Orin Nano share a similar form factor, there might be subtle differences that could affect compatibility.

2. Pin Configuration Variances: Despite having similar pinouts, there could be differences in the specific functions or electrical characteristics of certain pins between the two modules.

3. Power Requirements: Although the power architecture appears similar, the Orin Nano might have different power consumption or regulation needs compared to the Jetson Nano.

4. I/O Differences: The two modules may have different sets of available I/O interfaces or capabilities, which could impact compatibility on a custom carrier board.

5. Thermal Considerations: The Orin Nano might have different thermal characteristics or cooling requirements compared to the Jetson Nano.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Understand Form Factor Compatibility:

   • The Orin Nano and the original Nano are confirmed to be form factor compatible.
   • This means that the physical dimensions and mounting points are likely to be the same, allowing for potential interchangeability on carrier boards.

2. Analyze Pin Compatibility:

   • While form factor compatible, the Orin Nano and Nano are not 100% pin compatible.
   • Carefully review the pinout diagrams for both modules to identify differences.
   • Focus on the specific I/Os you plan to use in your custom carrier board design.

3. Consult Migration Application Note:

   • NVIDIA provides a Migration Application Note comparing Orin Nano and Nano.
   • Access this document through the Jetson Download Center on the NVIDIA Developer website.
   • Study the differences outlined in the Migration AN to understand the specific areas that need attention in your design.

4. Design for Compatibility:

   • Based on the Migration AN and your specific I/O requirements, design your carrier board to support both modules if possible.
   • Consider using multiplexers or configurable circuits to accommodate differences in pin functions between the two modules.

5. Power Management Considerations:

   • Review the power requirements for both the Jetson Nano and Orin Nano.
   • Design your power delivery system to accommodate the needs of both modules, potentially using adjustable voltage regulators or power management ICs.

6. Thermal Design:

   • Evaluate the thermal characteristics of both modules.
   • Design your carrier board’s thermal management system to handle the cooling requirements of the more demanding module (likely the Orin Nano).

7. Software and Driver Compatibility:

   • Be aware that software and drivers may differ between the two modules.
   • Ensure your software stack can support both modules if you plan to use them interchangeably.

8. Prototype and Test:

   • Create a prototype of your custom carrier board.
   • Test thoroughly with both the Jetson Nano and Orin Nano modules to verify compatibility and functionality.

9. Consult NVIDIA Support:

   • If you encounter specific compatibility issues or need clarification on certain aspects, reach out to NVIDIA’s developer support for guidance.

By following these steps and considering the differences between the Jetson Nano and Orin Nano, you can design a custom carrier board that maximizes compatibility between the two modules. Remember to prioritize the specific I/Os and features that are critical for your application, and be prepared to make some compromises or add flexibility to your design to accommodate both modules.