Nvidia’s new Jetson Orin Nano Super Developer Kit manages to pack supercomputer-level AI processing into a device smaller than a paperback book. This compact powerhouse offers developers and enthusiasts the kind of performance that used to require much larger, more expensive hardware – and it does it at a price point that won’t break the bank. While its predecessor opened doors for AI development, the Orin Nano Super takes a significant leap forward in both speed and capability. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what makes this device special, from its impressive technical specs to the real-world applications it enables for AI developers.

Key Features and Capabilities

The Jetson Orin Nano Super Developer Kit is built around an 8GB module leveraging Nvidia’s Ampere GPU architecture. It boasts 1,024 CUDA cores and 32 Tensor cores, specialized processing units designed to accelerate AI computations2. Complementing this powerful GPU is a 6-core ARM Cortex-A78 CPU, renowned for its high performance and efficiency2. The computer runs on the Nvidia AI software stack2.

Here’s a closer look at the key features that make the Jetson Orin Nano Super stand out:

  • Enhanced AI Performance: With 67 INT8 TOPS of AI performance, the Jetson Orin Nano Super delivers a remarkable 70% increase compared to its predecessor3. This translates to faster and more efficient processing of AI models, including large language models (LLMs), vision transformers, and vision-language models (VLMs)1.
  • Increased Memory Bandwidth: The Jetson Orin Nano Super boasts a memory bandwidth of 102 GB/s, a substantial 50% improvement over the previous generation3. This enhanced bandwidth facilitates faster data transfer and improved performance, especially crucial when working with large and complex AI models.
  • Power Efficiency: Despite the significant performance upgrades, the Jetson Orin Nano Super maintains impressive power efficiency, with a maximum power consumption of only 25 watts4. This makes it well-suited for edge devices and robotics applications where power consumption is a critical constraint.
  • Compact Form Factor: The Jetson Orin Nano Super retains the same compact form factor as its predecessor, making it ideal for deployment in space-constrained environments5.
  • Comprehensive Software Stack: The Jetson Orin Nano Super is supported by Nvidia’s comprehensive AI software stack, including the JetPack SDK, TensorRT, CUDA, and cuDNN2. This provides developers with a robust set of tools and libraries for building and deploying AI applications.
  • Software Upgradability: Existing Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit owners can upgrade their devices to Super performance through a software update1. This allows users to enhance their AI capabilities without the need for new hardware.
  • Flexible Power Modes: The Orin Nano Super offers flexible power modes (7W, 15W, 25W), allowing users to fine-tune performance based on their specific needs and power constraints4. This adaptability makes it suitable for a wider range of applications, from low-power edge devices to more demanding AI tasks.
  • Enhanced Camera Support: The Jetson Orin Nano Super supports up to four cameras, enabling higher resolution and frame rates for computer vision applications6. This opens up possibilities for more sophisticated vision-based AI projects, such as object tracking, surveillance systems, and autonomous navigation.
  • Software-Defined Performance: Remarkably, the performance gains of the Orin Nano Super are achieved primarily through software optimization, showcasing the efficiency of NVIDIA’s software stack7. This highlights the importance of software in maximizing hardware capabilities and emphasizes the value of a well-optimized software ecosystem.

Applications for AI Developers and Enthusiasts

The Jetson Orin Nano Super unlocks a wide range of possibilities for AI developers and enthusiasts across various domains. Here are some key application areas where this compact AI supercomputer can shine:

  • Generative AI: The Jetson Orin Nano Super is purpose-built to excel in generative AI applications. Its enhanced performance and memory bandwidth empower developers to run complex generative models, such as those used in LLM chatbots, AI agents, and vision-based systems3. Imagine creating an AI-powered art generator that runs on a small, portable device, or developing interactive storytelling experiences with realistic characters and dynamic narratives.
  • Robotics: The compact size and power efficiency of the Jetson Orin Nano Super make it an ideal platform for developing and deploying AI-powered robots. It can handle tasks such as object detection, navigation, and control, enabling the creation of intelligent robots for various industries8. This could involve building autonomous drones for agriculture 9 that can monitor crops, identify diseases, and optimize irrigation, or designing robots for healthcare that can assist with surgery, deliver medications, and provide companionship to patients.
  • Edge AI: The Jetson Orin Nano Super is well-suited for edge AI applications, where AI processing needs to be performed locally on devices with limited resources. Its ability to run complex AI models efficiently makes it a powerful tool for applications like smart cameras, drones, and IoT devices10. Consider developing intelligent surveillance systems with real-time object detection 11 that can identify security threats and alert authorities, or creating smart traffic management systems that can optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion.
  • AI Education and Research: The affordability and accessibility of the Jetson Orin Nano Super make it an excellent platform for students and researchers to learn and experiment with AI. Its comprehensive software stack and support for popular AI models provide a solid foundation for AI education and research projects12. Students can use it to build their own AI-powered projects, from simple image recognition systems to more complex natural language processing applications, while researchers can leverage its capabilities to explore new AI algorithms and develop innovative solutions.

Getting Started with the Jetson Orin Nano Super

To embark on your AI journey with the Jetson Orin Nano Super Developer Kit, you’ll need a few essential components:

  • Jetson Orin Nano Super module: This is the heart of the developer kit, containing the processor, memory, and other essential components.
  • Reference carrier board: The carrier board provides a range of connectivity options, including USB ports, camera connectors, an Ethernet port, and M.2 slots for expanding storage2. It also features Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networking, ensuring seamless connectivity for data-intensive AI applications.
  • Power supply: A 19V DC power supply is included in the developer kit to power the device13.
  • MicroSD card: You’ll need a microSD card (not included) to install the operating system and store your data13. It’s important to note that the Jetson Orin Nano Super doesn’t have built-in storage, so a microSD card is essential for operation.

Once you have these components, you can follow these steps to set up your Jetson Orin Nano Super:

  1. Write the operating system image to the microSD card. You can download the latest JetPack image from the Nvidia website14.
  2. Insert the microSD card into the Jetson Orin Nano Super module.
  3. Connect a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to the carrier board.
  4. Connect the power supply. The Jetson Orin Nano Super will power on and boot automatically13.

After the initial boot, you can follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup process. Nvidia provides a comprehensive getting started guide and various tutorials to help you get acquainted with the Jetson Orin Nano Super and its capabilities15.

Comparison with Other Jetson Products

The Jetson Orin Nano Super is the latest addition to Nvidia’s Jetson family of embedded computing devices. Here’s how it compares to other Jetson products:

FeatureJetson Orin Nano SuperJetson Orin NanoJetson Xavier NXJetson AGX Xavier
AI Performance67 TOPS40 TOPS21 TOPS32 TOPS
GPU1024-core Ampere1024-core Ampere384-core Volta512-core Volta
CPU6-core Arm Cortex-A78AE6-core Arm Cortex-A78AE6-core Carmel8-core Carmel
Memory8GB LPDDR58GB LPDDR58GB LPDDR4x16GB LPDDR4x
Power7W-25W7W-15W10W-15W10W-30W
Price$249$499$399$1099

The Jetson Orin Nano Super offers a significant performance boost over the previous generation Jetson Orin Nano while also being more affordable. It also outperforms the Jetson Xavier NX in terms of AI performance and memory bandwidth. However, the Jetson AGX Xavier still holds the top spot in terms of raw processing power, but it comes at a significantly higher price16.

Competitor Analysis

While the Jetson Orin Nano Super presents a compelling combination of performance and affordability, it’s important to consider its competitors in the embedded AI market. Some notable competitors include:

  • Google Coral Dev Board: This offers a simpler setup and lower power consumption but with less computational power17.
  • Raspberry Pi Compute Module: This is a versatile and affordable option, but its AI capabilities are limited compared to the Jetson Orin Nano Super18.
  • Intel-based single-board computers: These can be faster in CPU-only applications, but the Jetson Orin Nano Super generally offers better performance in GPU-accelerated AI tasks19.

The Jetson Orin Nano Super distinguishes itself from its competitors due to its:

  • Superior AI performance: It offers significantly higher AI performance compared to most competitors in its price range19.
  • Comprehensive software support: Nvidia’s JetPack SDK and other software tools provide a robust development environment for AI applications19.
  • Strong ecosystem: The Jetson platform has a large and active community, providing developers with access to various resources and support20.

Conclusion

The Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Super Developer Kit is a significant development in the world of AI, offering a compelling blend of performance, affordability, and a comprehensive software ecosystem. Its enhanced capabilities make it an ideal platform for a wide range of AI applications, from generative AI and robotics to edge computing and AI education. By making this technology more accessible, Nvidia is empowering developers, enthusiasts, and students to explore the vast potential of AI and contribute to its continued advancement. The Jetson Orin Nano Super is poised to be a catalyst for innovation, enabling the creation of intelligent solutions that can address real-world challenges and shape the future of AI.

Works cited

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Last Update: 21 December 2024

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