Jackson-ER provides a rugged, compact, economical, and I/O-rich solution for NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano / Orin NX GPU modules. The deeply embedded design with latching I/O connectors fits applications such as robotics or vehicles where shock and vibration pose risks to long term product reliability, as well as box-level solutions where freedom to select different I/O connectors is needed. The available heat spreader mounting plate provides a secure mounting platform and improves heat dissipation, a critical consideration for high performance applications that utilize the Orin modules to their full capacity.
Jackson-ER brings out all I/O from the modules to I/O connectors or expansion sockets. A novel camera adapter connector provides compatibility with any CSI / GMSL camera by means of a simple low-cost adapter board that mounts directly on the bottom of Jackson ER.
For I/O beyond the given baseboard features, an expansion connector provides a convenient way to connect standard or custom I/O daughterboards that mount directly underneath the Jackson carrier board. The connector provides PCIe, USB3, I2C, and power via a flex circuit cable. Daughterboards can be designed to provide extra Ethernet and USB ports, extra M.2 and minicard sockets, and other I/O.
Jackson-ER is available both as a carrier board and as a complete integrated solution with Jetson module and heat spreader installed and Linux OS loaded. See the ordering information tab for part numbers and configurations.
The illustrations below show the wealth of I/O and expansion sockets available on Jackson-ER.
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Camera Adapter Socket |
Jackson contains a unique camera adapter connector that makes it possible to interface any camera, including standard, custom, CSI, and GMSL cameras, to the board by using a simple, low-cost adapter board. Custom cameras can easily be connected to Jackson in this way without the expense of a custom carrier board or the inconvenience and fragility of free-hanging adapter boards.  | | | Jackson carrier shown. Jackson-ER board similar. |
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Expansion Capabilities |
Jackson-ER contains multiple sockets for I/O and mass storage:
- The M.2 M-key socket with NVMe PCIe x4 connectivity is generally used for mass storage, since the Orin Nano and Orin NX modules lack integrated eMMC mass storage. The socket supports both 2242 and 2280 size modules, and all mounting hardware is included.
- A full-size minicard socket provides both PCIe and USB interfaces to support a wide range of I/O modules including analog, digital, serial, Ethernet, WiFi, and Bluetooth.
- An M.2 E-key 2230 socket supports the installation of modem, WiFi, and Bluetooth modules for mobile applications.
Daughterboard Expansion
A unique flex cable connector enables additional I/O expansion with off the shelf or custom-developed daughterboards. The connector offers USB 3.0 and PCIe connectivity to the Jetson module, as well as power. Since an I/O daughterboard is much quicker and easier to design than a full-custom carrier board, the effort required to add custom I/O to your Orin Nano / NX system is simplified. For example, additional USB 3.0 ports, additional Ethernet ports, an Ethernet switch, or even a PoE PD circuit can all easily be implemented on a daughterboard.
Daughterboards typically are the same size as the main board and mount directly underneath the main board for convenient packaging. They can also be mounted in tandem for a thinner but wider form factor.
 | | | Jackson carrier shown. Jackson-ER board similar. | |  | | | Jackson carrier shown. Jackson-ER board similar. |
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Ordering
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