RTC options for jetpack 6.2.1 orin super dev kit

Hi,

I have a jetson orin nano super 8gb dev kit and found no rtc module in it. Can you pls share some working rtc options to buy and integrate it in dev kit? also where to connect it.

I mean why does’nt a dev kit have rtc in the first hand?

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I’d be happy to help you with your question about the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit and the lack of a Real-Time Clock (RTC) module.

Why doesn’t the dev kit have an RTC module?

The Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit is designed to be a flexible and customizable platform for developers to create their own projects. While an RTC module is a useful component, it’s not a essential feature for every project. NVIDIA might have decided to omit it to keep the cost and complexity of the dev kit down, allowing developers to add their own RTC module if needed.

Working RTC options to buy and integrate:

Here are a few RTC module options that you can consider:

  1. DS3231 RTC Module: This is a popular and widely used RTC module that’s compatible with the Jetson Orin Nano. It’s a low-power, high-accuracy module that can be easily integrated into your project.
  2. PCF8563 RTC Module: This module is another popular option that’s known for its high accuracy and low power consumption. It’s also compatible with the Jetson Orin Nano.
  3. RV-8803 RTC Module: This module is a more advanced option that offers high accuracy and a wide range of features, including a battery backup and a temperature sensor.

Where to connect the RTC module:

To connect an RTC module to your Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit, you’ll need to use the I2C interface. The I2C interface is a standard interface for connecting peripherals to the Jetson module.

Here are the steps to connect an RTC module:

  1. Identify the I2C pins on your Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit. The I2C pins are usually labeled as SCL (clock) and SDA (data).
  2. Connect the SCL pin of the RTC module to the SCL pin on the Jetson Orin Nano.
  3. Connect the SDA pin of the RTC module to the SDA pin on the Jetson Orin Nano.
  4. Connect the VCC pin of the RTC module to a 3.3V power source on the Jetson Orin Nano.
  5. Connect the GND pin of the RTC module to a ground pin on the Jetson Orin Nano.

Software configuration:

Once you’ve connected the RTC module, you’ll need to configure the software to use it. You can use the hwclock command to set the RTC time and date. You’ll also need to configure the Linux kernel to use the RTC module as the system clock source.

Here’s an example of how to configure the hwclock command:

sudo hwclock -s -f /dev/rtc0

This command sets the system clock to the time and date stored in the RTC module.

Comparison of RTC modules:

Here’s a brief comparison of the three RTC modules I mentioned earlier:

Module Accuracy Power Consumption Features
DS3231 ±2ppm 1.5μA Battery backup, temperature sensor
PCF8563 ±5ppm 1.2μA Battery backup, alarm function
RV-8803 ±1ppm 2.5μA Battery backup, temperature sensor, alarm function

All three modules are suitable for use with the Jetson Orin Nano, but the DS3231 and RV-8803 offer higher accuracy and more features.

I hope this helps you get started with adding an RTC module to your Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit!

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If I use DS3231 rtc module, then after connecting I2C to jetson, how to set date and time first to DS3231 and then use that rtc date time at every reboot? and wt if due to power/voltage surge DS3231 fails to maintain date and time?

Hi @KY_Jetsy

The DS3231 is likely supported by Nvidia default drivers (in kernel is not directly available, CONFIG_RTC_DRV_DS1307 covers DS1307/DS3231 family). You need to connect it to the GPIO pins (i2c pins), enable the GPIO pins using the Jetson-IO script, enable the device by modifying the device tree, and then verify you can identify your RTC by using i2ctools or checking if the device exists and it’s listed in the /dev directory. Then you can use tools such as hwclock to control and inspect RTC behavior.

For example, once you have the device up and running, you can use the following guide section to understand how to use your RTC:

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