Dear All,
I am intending to use Jetson TX2i SoM for my wireless communication application. Towards my development, I’m looking for following details:
Thanks and Regards,
Sameer
Refer this link for reference docs
hello Nagesh,
On the given link, there is no dedicated document for TX2i. All I could find was following:
Are these documents applicable for TX2i as well? Because, there are no dedicated specifications for TX2i (e.g. in case of Xavier module, there are dedicated specs for industrial grade varient).
Also, I still could not find carrier card design guidelines and supported devices list. I’m basically looking for supported WIFI module.
Thanks and Regards,
Sameer
You can see inside the datasheet as shown below, it says it is applicable for Jetson TX2i also, unless and until, explicitly mentioned.
hello @nagesh_accord ,
One more query on the same line: while I explored the [supported components list], it shows W1043 (2.4/5 GHz Antenna) from Pulse Electronics. Does this mean that TX2i does not need any external WiFi chipset? All we need to do is connect an antenna to access WiFi?
Also, does it not support Ethernet Interface? I mean on the product specs it is written a bit complicated and also could not determine from TRM document. Hence the question.
Thanks and Regards,
Sameer.
Could anyone look into this?
Just to clarify… this product has different levels of thing for each document and you have to understand what you are trying to do here.
Before starting, you have to know…
We are providing “module” here.
We also provide a “NV developer kit” as a reference board. A devkit here has a “module” + “carrier board”.
And…
TRM is SoC level document. Every T186 SoC is sharing same TRM. For example, TX2i/TX2/TX2-NX are all referring to same TRM document.
If you are reading TRM, it won’t show you anything related to carrier board because it is not its scope to tell you that.
If you are reading module datasheet, it does not care about carrier board either because it is just telling you what interfaces are provided by this module. Whether want to enable it or not is the one who makes the carrier board to decide. But of course you won’t enable something that module didn’t provide.
The design guide document is for someone who wants to make their own carrier board to read.
Thus, maybe you should clarify what do you want to do here…
Your question basically just indicates you don’t know how this product works here.
Are you trying to make a carrier board? or are you using a existing carrier board already? or you have no idea what I am talking about here?
For example, if you ever try one or two Jetson before, you would know that all Jetson have ethernet port (at least our devkit has)… but it seems you don’t know about it.
TX2i has internal Ethernet MAC/PHY
TX2 has internal Wifi via SDIO. TX2i does not have Wifi, but the SDIO signals are available externally.
TX2/TX2i is a rather old platform. There is no further development and no security fixes. You will be stuck with Ubuntu 18.04 (which lost support on May 23) and an old 4.9 kernel. Most recent Wifi hardware will require newer kernels.
And developing a TX2i carrier board is no beginner task but requires at least 5 years of experience with similar systems.
hello @WayneWWW ,
Following are the intentions with reference to my end goal.
Now, coming to your points, please find my response as follows.
I know that Jetson are SoM products. Of which, some boards are having support for carrier cards (e.g. Jetson Orin boards), while some are not.
Thanks for providing clarity on this.
To provide you further clarity on my requirements, I already developed a prototype (Proof of Concept) model that captures data over Ethernet and streams over WiFi. However, I had to use USB based WIFI system. Upon further exploration, I came to know about various SoCs that can directly be mated with Jetson Modules over M.2 interface. So, what I am looking for is:
Jetson industrial module that can fulfil my requirements stated above. Since under industrial category, I’m left with only three choices i.e. Xavier, Orin and TX2i, I have to pick one. Orin has much higher power consumption and far advanced processing capabilities as compared to my requirements. Since TX2i is smaller in dimensions and reduced power consumption, it can be a preferred choice for my end application. However, upon digging further I could not figure out whether it can support both, Ethernet and WiFi over M.2 interface, I raised this query.
I hope this gave you clarity on where I am stuck with my development and you’d be able to throw some light on this.
Thanks and Regards,
Sameer
Ohh… Many thanks for clarification @fchkjwlsq. So considering my end requirements specified in my response above, I’m left with no choice to use Xavier board. Is that understanding correct?
Thanks and Regards,
Sameer.
I still don’t get what is your exact problem to ask here.
A WIFI based on USB and a Ethernet are all supported on TX2i.
And indeed TX2i is really a old platform that the software on it (rel-32/rel-28) is EOL.
New projects should use the newest Orin generation of modules. Xavier NX is available till Jan 2028, Orin NX and Orin Nano till Jan 2032. Xavier won’t get Jetpack 6 (Ubuntu 22.04), Orin already is on Jetpack 6 22.04 and probably will get 24.04 and newer Jetpack versions.
Jetpack 6.1 comes with Kernel 5.15 but some users have managed to use 6.1 kernels. This helps a lot with hardware support for recent Wifi 6 and 7 modules.
Power requirements are software selectable. All modules can be switched to different maximum power levels, which limits clock frequencies and core usage. Orin Nano can run at 7W or 15W. This would be the best choice for you, and these power requirements are the same as for TX2. TX2i has got 10W and 20W power modes.
Thanks for the info @fchkjwlsq .
On the same line, since I am intending to use industrial version of the device (which seems to be Orin based on your recommendation), how would I find the minimum power consumption requirements for it? e.g. in case of Orin Industrial, power requirements is stated as 15-75 W. So whatsoever software configuration I keep, I’ll consume 15 W atleast, isn’t it?
Thanks and Regards
Sameer
Problem is, I do not want to use a USB based device to provide WIFI connectivity. I need something integrated on my PCB.
You can still use PCIe or SDIO for a WIFI.
Also, a USB device does not mean it cannot be “integrated on PCB”…
You maybe don’t want to use a 1500$ part on your project. Orin AGX Industrial is a different product line with much more performance and power than you might require. There are no industral versions of Orin NX and Orin Nano, but many commercial products do use them. Orin Nano seems to be the best option for you.
I understand that it is really high power device. However, my end application demands that. It is to be used in rugged environment wireless communication. So Orin AGX industrial is the only best suitable option in this case. Is this understanding correct?
Thanks
What temperature range do use really need? Consider that most wifi chips are for commercial temperature range. Jetson boards usually go down to -20°C. Below that you need resistive heaters. Above 50°C you need cooling.
Ruggedness comes down to the mechanical package. Up to a certain point you also can archieve this with standard hardware like Orin Nano. Ok, space, avionics, and military is out of the question for all Jetson products, but other than that a lot is possible with real knowledge of packaging, thermals and mechanics.
hello @fchkjwlsq ,
You have preciously grasped my point. My end application is targeted for aerospace and defence. I understand that there is a limitation from WiFi Chipset side as well. They mostly come for 0 to 70 degree C.
I’m looking for something mil grade. But the best I’m able to get is with Jetson industrial boards only i.e. from -40 to +85 and with other vibration, humidity qualified hardware and all.
Do you have some other product in mind considering this?
Thanks and Regards,
Sameer
