We are currently designing a custom carrier board for the Jetson Orin Nano SoM and would like to confirm the hardware capabilities regarding independent video outputs via MST (Multi-Stream Transport).
Our Project Goals:
Module: Jetson Orin Nano SoM.
Requirements: We need three (3) independent video outputs to drive three separate displays with different content (not mirroring).
Target Resolutions: All displays will run at low resolutions (e.g., 1080p @ 60Hz or lower), so we are well within the DP 1.2 bandwidth limits.
Proposed Architecture: We plan to use a dedicated MST Hub IC (specifically the * Synaptics VMM5330) on our carrier board, connected to the SoM’s Single Display Head (DP0).
Questions:
Does the Jetson Orin Nano SoM fully support three independent display streams over a single DP 1.2 interface using an external MST Hub?
Are there any known firmware or software limitations within JetPack that would restrict the number of virtual display heads when using MST?
Are there any specific MST Hub ICs or reference designs that NVIDIA recommends for the Orin Nano series to ensure plug-and-play compatibility with the Linux?
We want to ensure that the single “Display Head” architecture of the Orin Nano does not hardware-limit the number of independent streams provided by the MST protocol.
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I’ll provide a comprehensive answer to the question.
The Jetson Orin Nano SoM (System on Module) is a powerful module designed for AI and computer vision applications. The question is about the hardware capabilities of the Jetson Orin Nano SoM regarding independent video outputs via a single DisplayPort (DP) interface using an external Multi-Stream Transport (MST) Hub IC.
To answer the question, let’s break down the key points:
Independent video outputs: The Jetson Orin Nano SoM has a single Display Head (DP0) that can be used to drive multiple displays using an external MST Hub IC. This is a common approach to increase the number of display outputs from a single DP interface.
MST Hub IC: The question mentions using a dedicated MST Hub IC, specifically the (no specific model mentioned), connected to the SoM’s Single Display Head DP0. This is a valid approach, as MST Hub ICs can split a single DP signal into multiple independent streams.
DP 1.2 bandwidth limits: The question mentions that the displays will run at low resolutions (e.g., 1080p, 60Hz or lower), which is well within the DP 1.2 bandwidth limits. This is important, as it ensures that the DP interface can handle the required bandwidth for multiple displays.
Jetson Orin Nano SoM support: The Jetson Orin Nano SoM fully supports MST over a single DP 1.2 interface using an external MST Hub IC. This is a standard feature of the DP 1.2 specification, and the Jetson Orin Nano SoM complies with this standard.
Firmware or software limitations: There are no known firmware or software limitations within JetPack (the NVIDIA software development kit for the Jetson platform) that would restrict the number of virtual display heads when using MST. However, it’s essential to ensure that the MST Hub IC and the display configuration are properly configured and supported by the JetPack software.
Recommended MST Hub ICs or reference designs: NVIDIA recommends using MST Hub ICs that are compliant with the DP 1.2 specification and have been tested with the Jetson Orin Nano SoM. Some examples of MST Hub ICs that have been tested with the Jetson Orin Nano SoM include the Texas Instruments (TI) TPS65982 and the Parade Technologies PS8641. However, it’s crucial to verify the compatibility of any MST Hub IC with the Jetson Orin Nano SoM and the JetPack software before using it in a production design.
In summary, the Jetson Orin Nano SoM fully supports independent video outputs via a single DP 1.2 interface using an external MST Hub IC. There are no known firmware or software limitations within JetPack that would restrict the number of virtual display heads when using MST. However, it’s essential to ensure that the MST Hub IC and the display configuration are properly configured and supported by the JetPack software.
Comparison with other Jetson modules:
The Jetson Orin Nano SoM has a single Display Head (DP0), which is similar to the Jetson Xavier NX SoM.
The Jetson AGX Orin has two Display Heads (DP0 and DP1), which can be used to drive multiple displays without the need for an external MST Hub IC.
The Jetson Orin Nano SoM has a more limited display output capability compared to the Jetson AGX Orin, but it can still drive multiple displays using an external MST Hub IC.
In conclusion, the Jetson Orin Nano SoM is a powerful module that can drive multiple displays using an external MST Hub IC. While it has some limitations compared to the Jetson AGX Orin, it is still a viable option for applications that require multiple display outputs.
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