Power Hold-up Time for Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit

Issue Overview

Users are seeking information about the power hold-up time of the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit. Specifically, they want to understand how long the module can operate without shutting down when relying solely on its internal capacitors during a power interruption. This information is crucial for projects involving swappable battery mechanisms, where brief power interruptions may occur during the battery swap process.

Possible Causes

1. Limited internal capacitance: The Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit may have limited internal capacitance, which affects its ability to maintain operation during brief power interruptions.

2. Lack of official specifications: NVIDIA may not have published official specifications for power hold-up time, as the developer kit is not primarily designed for applications requiring hot-swappable power sources.

3. Variability in power requirements: The power hold-up time may vary depending on the specific workload and power consumption of the system at the time of interruption.

4. Carrier board design influence: The capacitors on the carrier board can significantly impact the overall power hold-up time of the system.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Conduct empirical testing:

   • Set up the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit with a typical workload.
   • Use an oscilloscope or high-speed data logger to monitor the power input.
   • Gradually increase the duration of power interruptions until the system shuts down.
   • Record the maximum interruption time that the system can tolerate.

2. Implement additional capacitance:

   • Add external capacitors to the power input of the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit.
   • Start with low capacitance values and gradually increase until the desired hold-up time is achieved.
   • Ensure proper voltage ratings and low ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance) for the capacitors.

3. Use a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) or power management IC:

   • Integrate a small UPS or power management IC designed for brief power interruptions.
   • This can provide a more controlled and reliable power hold-up solution.

4. Implement software-based power management:

   • Develop a software solution that quickly detects power interruptions.
   • Initiate a rapid system suspend or hibernate state upon detecting a power loss.
   • Resume operation when power is restored.

5. Consider alternative Jetson modules:

   • If the power hold-up time of the Orin Nano Developer Kit is insufficient, research other Jetson modules that may have better power management features or longer hold-up times.

6. Custom carrier board design:

   • For production applications, consider designing a custom carrier board with additional power management features and increased capacitance to extend the hold-up time.

7. Consult NVIDIA support:

   • While official specifications may not be available, NVIDIA support may be able to provide additional guidance or recommendations for your specific use case.

8. Community experimentation:

   • Engage with the Jetson developer community to share experiences and findings related to power hold-up time.
   • Collaborate on developing best practices for applications requiring brief power interruptions.

It’s worth mentioning that NVIDIA does not provide official specifications for power hold-up time on the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit, as it is not designed specifically for applications requiring hot-swappable power sources. Any modifications or custom solutions should be thoroughly tested to ensure system stability and reliability in your specific application.