UPS recommendations for Orin AGX

Robotics & Edge Computing Jetson Systems Jetson AGX Orin
1

Hi all! I’m using an Orin AGX as the main computer on a robot I’m working on. In the past, i’ve had issues when the shutdown sequence to the computer is just shutting the power off, so I’m looking to see a) if just shutting off power would damage the orin, and if so, b) if there is a recommended uninterruptible power supply I can use to keep the Orin powered to gracefully shut down in the case of a power failure/disconnect.

2

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

When it comes to shutting down the Jetson AGX Orin, it’s essential to follow a proper shutdown sequence to prevent damage to the device. Simply cutting off the power supply can cause issues, including data corruption, file system damage, and potentially even hardware failure.

The Jetson AGX Orin, like many other embedded systems, relies on a controlled shutdown process to ensure that all system resources are properly released, and the device is left in a safe state. When power is abruptly cut off, the system may not have a chance to complete its shutdown sequence, which can lead to problems.

To mitigate this risk, using an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is a good idea. A UPS provides a buffer of power that allows the system to shut down gracefully in the event of a power failure or disconnection. This ensures that the Jetson AGX Orin has enough time to complete its shutdown sequence, minimizing the risk of damage.

When selecting a UPS for your Jetson AGX Orin, consider the following factors:

  1. Power rating: Choose a UPS with a sufficient power rating to support the Orin’s power requirements. The Jetson AGX Orin has a typical power consumption of around 15-20 watts, but this can vary depending on the specific configuration and workload.
  2. Runtime: Select a UPS with a runtime that allows the system to shut down gracefully. A minimum of 2-3 minutes of runtime is recommended to ensure that the Orin has enough time to complete its shutdown sequence.
  3. Communication interface: Consider a UPS with a communication interface that allows it to signal the Orin to shut down in the event of a power failure. This can be done through a serial interface, USB, or network connection.
  4. Form factor: Choose a UPS with a compact form factor that fits your robot’s design constraints.

Some popular UPS options for the Jetson AGX Orin include:

  1. APC Back-UPS: A compact, entry-level UPS that provides up to 10 minutes of runtime.
  2. CyberPower CP600AVR: A mid-range UPS that offers up to 20 minutes of runtime and a compact design.
  3. Tripp-Lite VS1000: A high-end UPS that provides up to 30 minutes of runtime and advanced features like network monitoring and control.

When integrating a UPS with your Jetson AGX Orin, make sure to follow these best practices:

  1. Connect the UPS to the Orin’s power supply: Ensure that the UPS is connected to the Orin’s power supply, and that the Orin is configured to shut down when the UPS signals a power failure.
  2. Configure the UPS to signal the Orin: Set up the UPS to send a shutdown signal to the Orin in the event of a power failure. This can be done through a serial interface, USB, or network connection.
  3. Test the UPS and Orin: Verify that the UPS and Orin are working together correctly by simulating a power failure and ensuring that the Orin shuts down gracefully.

By using a UPS and following these best practices, you can help protect your Jetson AGX Orin from damage caused by abrupt power shutdowns and ensure a reliable and safe operation of your robot.

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4

Are you using the Jetson Orin AGX Dev Kit from NVIDIA or a custom/third party carrier board?

For the NVIDIA Dev Kit: Shutting off power without following the shutdown sequence in Jetson AGX Orin Series Design Guide (including AGX Orin Industrial) is not recommended. The NVIDIA carrier does have a power loss detection circuit (section 5.5 of the Jetson AGX Orin Series Design Guide (including AGX Orin Industrial)) to try to mitigate a sudden power loss and attempt to shut down gracefully (from the SoC’s point of view), but whether or not the graceful shutdown can complete depends on how quickly the voltage drops and the current consumed by the system. For example, there may not be enough charge left in the system for a proper shut down if the power loss happens during heavy GPU load. Data corruption could be another problem if the power loss happens while writing to storage (e.g. M.2 SSD or micro SD card).

7

I’m using the dev kit from NVIDIA. I’m less worried about power issues due to faults and more worried about my colleagues tripping the breaker to turn the robot off and forgetting to shut down the jetson gracefully first. We are using an M.2 NVME as the main drive. The main usage of the GPU we have is with a Zed 2i camera.

8

I using off the shelf USB PD powerbanks for my robot as UPS/battery. There’s very nice subreddit from a guy who’s reviewing them.

Check out his google sheet, it’s very informative. I’m using Cuktech powerbanks, I tried other brands, but these seem to work okay.

One thing missing from that subreddit/sheet is some thermal analysis, even though some USB PD powerbanks do work like UPS, they do heat up while connected to main power (and they are charged to 100% ) … ( they shouldn’t if they have good circuitry )