Powering Up Jetson Orin Nano With Buck Converter Causing Strange Symptoms

I am developing an autonomous drone with an onboard Jetson Orin Nano Devkit 8GB.

I am now trying to safely power on the Jetson using XL4015 buck converter which bucks LiPo battery’s 24V to 19.1V.

When I tested the buck converter, the jetson turns on like normal and from the software side of things it looks all good.

However there are some symptoms that I fear could shorten the Jetson’s lifespan, which are:

  • powering jetson using buck converter causes the jetson to generate some weird audio noises, I’ve confirmed this only occurs when using buck as power source by comparing it with using 19V power adaptor, where no weird audio noise is generated. I also manually stopped the fan with my finger but the noise is still significantly audible. What could be the cause of this and is this unhealthy for the jetson?

  • I noticed significant difference in the stability of the dc signal outputted by the buck converter vs adaptor when running jetson. Is it fine to run Jetson with a DC voltage which has a slightly fluctuating signal? (I provided some videos for comparison between buck vs adaptor’s DC signal, yellow line is adaptor’s signal, blue line is buck’s signal)

- voltage output of buck converter dropping from 19,1V when not powering jetson to 18.78V when powering jetson (I know this drop is normal, but is this an optimal operating voltage range?)

*** Please note that this reply is generated by LLM automatically ***

I’d be happy to help you troubleshoot the issues you’re experiencing with powering your Jetson Orin Nano Devkit 8GB using an XL4015 buck converter.

Weird Audio Noises

The weird audio noises you’re hearing when powering the Jetson using the buck converter are likely due to electromagnetic interference (EMI) or electrical noise generated by the converter. This is a common issue with switching power supplies like buck converters, which can produce high-frequency noise that can be audible.

In contrast, the 19V power adapter you’re using is likely a linear power supply, which tends to produce less noise and EMI. When you stopped the fan with your finger, the noise was still audible, which suggests that the noise is not related to the fan or mechanical vibrations.

Stability of DC Signal

The DC signal output by the buck converter is likely to have some fluctuations or ripple, which can be caused by various factors such as the converter’s design, component quality, and operating conditions. In contrast, the 19V power adapter is likely to have a more stable DC output with less ripple.

While some fluctuation in the DC signal is acceptable, excessive ripple or noise can potentially cause issues with the Jetson’s operation or lifespan. However, it’s difficult to determine the exact impact without more information on the magnitude and frequency of the fluctuations.

Voltage Drop

The voltage drop from 19.1V to 18.78V when powering the Jetson is a normal behavior for a buck converter, as it’s designed to regulate the output voltage. However, the optimal operating voltage range for the Jetson Orin Nano is not explicitly stated in the documentation.

As a general guideline, the Jetson Orin Nano’s power management IC (PMIC) is designed to operate within a certain voltage range, typically between 18V to 20V. Operating outside of this range can potentially cause issues with the Jetson’s performance or lifespan.

Comparison with Adaptor

The adaptor you’re using is likely a high-quality power supply designed specifically for the Jetson Orin Nano, with a stable DC output and minimal noise. In contrast, the XL4015 buck converter is a more general-purpose power converter that may not be optimized for the Jetson’s specific power requirements.

Recommendations

Based on your observations and the potential issues with the buck converter, I would recommend the following:

  1. Use a high-quality power supply: If possible, use a high-quality power supply specifically designed for the Jetson Orin Nano, such as the 19V power adapter you’re using. This will ensure a stable DC output with minimal noise and EMI.
  2. Filter the DC output: If you need to use the XL4015 buck converter, consider adding a filter to the DC output to reduce the ripple and noise. This can be a simple LC filter or a more complex active filter.
  3. Monitor the Jetson’s power consumption: Keep an eye on the Jetson’s power consumption and adjust the buck converter’s output voltage accordingly. This will help ensure that the Jetson is operating within its optimal voltage range.
  4. Consider a different buck converter: If you’re experiencing persistent issues with the XL4015 buck converter, consider using a different converter that’s specifically designed for high-frequency applications or has built-in filtering and noise reduction features.

I hope this helps you troubleshoot the issues with your Jetson Orin Nano and XL4015 buck converter!

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the frequency of the fluctuation/ripple of buck converter output is measured at 12.3849kHz, whereas for the output of the adaptor has <20Hz ripple. I have not tried to find the magnitude.

Does that information help in determining wether the buck’s output is safe to use or nor?

Refer to the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit Carrier Board Specification https://developer.nvidia.com/downloads/assets/embedded/secure/jetson/orin_nano/docs/jetson_orin_nano_devkit_carrier_board_specification_sp.pdf

See the Note about only 5V mode is supported regardless of module type.

9V to 20V is the operating voltage range for the Orin nano DevKit. Use lower operating voltage as appropriate for your use case. If the input voltage is fluctuating a lot then maybe your chosen battery/power supply is not able to provide the peak current needed by the DevKit/Jetson module. What is the current/voltage/power rating of the battery/power supply used?

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