Orin Nano Developer Kit – Power through GPIO

Issue Overview

Users of the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit are experiencing issues powering the board through GPIO pins 2 and 4. The symptoms include:

• The board fails to turn on when powered through GPIO pins 2 and 4, which are specified as providing a 5V power supply at 1A each.
• Users report successful operation of the board when powered via the barrel connector with a voltage range of 9V to 20V.

The context of the problem arises during attempts to switch from the Jetson Nano dev kit, which allowed powering through GPIO pins, to the Orin Nano dev kit. This issue is particularly significant for users relying on a UPS board that outputs only 5V, complicating their power supply setup.

The frequency of this issue appears consistent among users transitioning from the Jetson Nano to the Orin Nano, indicating a potential design change in the power supply requirements. The impact on user experience is substantial, as it limits flexibility in power supply options and may necessitate hardware adjustments.

Possible Causes

• Hardware Incompatibility: The Orin Nano carrier board includes a “reverse current block” circuit that prevents powering from the GPIO pins, unlike its predecessor, the Jetson Nano.

• Documentation Gaps: While documentation states that GPIO pins 2 and 4 provide a 5V supply, it does not clarify that this configuration is not supported for the Orin Nano due to design changes.

• User Misconfiguration: Users may assume that powering through GPIO pins is feasible without recognizing the architectural differences between the two boards.

• Power Supply Limitations: The UPS board’s output of only 5V conflicts with the operational requirements of the Orin Nano, which necessitates a minimum voltage of 9V for proper functionality.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify Power Supply Requirements:

   • Confirm that your power supply meets the minimum voltage requirement of 9V for the Orin Nano Developer Kit.
   • Check that your power supply can deliver sufficient current (at least 1A).

2. Powering Through Barrel Connector:

   • Use the barrel connector for powering the Orin Nano dev kit with a voltage between 9V and 20V. This has been confirmed as functional by multiple users.

3. UPS Integration:

   • If using a UPS board that outputs only 5V, consider integrating a DC-DC boost converter to step up from 5V to at least 9V. This will allow you to maintain compatibility with your existing UPS setup while meeting the power requirements of the Orin Nano.

4. Testing Alternate Configurations:

   • If possible, test with different power supplies or configurations to isolate whether the issue is related to specific hardware components.
   • Ensure all connections are secure and properly configured according to manufacturer specifications.

5. Documentation Review:

   • Review any available documentation or updates regarding power configurations for the Orin Nano Developer Kit. As noted in discussions, documentation may be evolving.

6. Community Support:

   • Engage with community forums or Nvidia support channels for additional insights or shared experiences regarding similar issues.
   • Share images or part numbers of your dev kit if further assistance is needed from community members.

7. Best Practices:

   • Always ensure that any modifications to your power supply setup are compliant with device specifications to avoid damage.
   • Keep abreast of updates from Nvidia regarding potential firmware updates or changes in hardware compatibility.

By following these troubleshooting steps and solutions, users can address power issues with their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit effectively.