Powering Xavier NX via GPIO, not powering on

Autonomous Machines Jetson & Embedded Systems Jetson Xavier NX
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I have been trying to power the Jetson Xavier NX via the GPIO header as ‘I think was mentioned’ in the Jetson Nano thread linked below. Using pins 2+4 (pin 6+9 GND). However when I feed in 5v regulated power it does nothing. I am starting to think this is not possible though do to what I found below.

Below I have listed out what I have found and many questions. However the main question is: Is it possible and if so how to power the Xavier NX with 5V, and still run in all power modes (10-20W).

In Jetson_Xavier_NX_DevKit_Carrier_Board_Specification_v1.0.pdf, states that the GPIO pins can support a max of 1A per 5V pin so powering via J12 pins seems to be not not possible? Maybe in 10W mode?

In Jetson_Xavier_NX_Product_Design_Guide_DG-09693-001_v1.4.pdf page 12, it states “The developer kit carrier board designs latch POWER_EN state to ensure that the signal stays active”. So with a dev board it should just power on if supplied power? Since it is not, I am assuming GPIO 5V pins are not able to power the board.

It seems that by using the optional PoE Backpower Header – J18, I can supply up to 3A at 9-20V.
Do voltage regulators need to be current limiting?

I couldn’t find any mention of high current (>1A) 5V inputs on the dev board. I am thinking if I can supply 5V via my own regulator it would remove the need to use the regulator on the carrier board possibly saving power. My voltage source is a 6S Li-ion battery, which is out of the DC jack input range, so it needs a regulator of its own regardless.

The info below suggest 5V input exist on the Nano though.

Jetson Nano thread:
“The devkit may also be powered from pins 2+4 (pin 6+9 GND) of the J48 Expansion Header - up to up to 5V⎓3A per pin (5V⎓6A total).” Power supply considerations for Jetson Nano Developer Kit

However the documentation seems to disagree:
J48 seems to be used for a jumper, and the pins 2,4,6,9 seem to be referencing the J41 expansion header?

Also since the J48 header only has two pins they are probably labeled pin 1 and 2?
I couldn’t find a table for J48 in documentation, NVIDIA Jetson Nano Developer Kit Carrier Board P3449_B01 SP-09732-001_v1.1.pdf.

Also, it states that pins 2 & 4 on J41 (40 pin GPIO) have a max power rating of 5V 1A per pin. Does this mean the board cannot be powered via the GPIO? I think I am missing something I could not find any 5V 3A pins in the document.

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GPIO pins has the max current is limited by pin capability, 2A; instead of 3.5A of DC power Jack.

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Okay so the PoE Backpower Header – J18 might be the best option for me if I want to avoid adding a barrel plug,
It seems J18 is rated for 3A but if the input voltage is say 12v that should not be an issue.

Unless there is a reason to use the barrel plug over J18?

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hello Greg118,

please also access Jetson Xavier NX Developer Kit User Guide .
this 5V on [J12] 40-pin expansion header. it can only provide power out.
they may not be used to deliver power to the developer kit.

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Okay thank you.

In that case is the Nano different? Or is the post by dusty_nv incorrect when it says?
“The devkit may also be powered from pins 2+4 (pin 6+9 GND) of the J48 Expansion Header - up to up to 5V⎓3A per pin (5V⎓6A total).” Link in the first post here.

From what I can tell, unless J48 pins (1x2 configuration) are labeled pin 2 and 4, and they intend to use ground pins of J41 (40 pin GPIO) something seems wrong in that post?

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Nano is different. J48 is the header to switch supply source. J41 is the 40-pin header with 5V input pins.

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I know the labels are different. Or are you saying they are different in the sense that we can power the nano off of the GPIO like it seems dusty_nv is saying.

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It seems like the PoE Backpower Header – J18 is the only other option for powering the Jetson Xavier NX if you do not want to use a barrel plug, as stated in documentation.

Also as for my question about 5v, @JerryChang stated that the Xavier NX’s GPIO pins are only able to provide power out unlike the Jetson Nano as stated by @Trumany.

For my use case a soldered connection is preferred over a barrel plug.

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Nano can be powered from GPIO pins, but Xavier NX can’t.

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