NVIDIA's TX1 SoC now comes on a credit-card sized module

NVIDIA's press release states that "Jetson TX1 is the first embedded computer designed to process deep neural networks -- computer software that can learn to recognize objects or interpret information." The 3.4x2inch module includes a Tegra X1 ARM Cortex-A57 processor with 256-core NVIDIA Maxwell graphics, 4GB of LPDDR4 memory, 16GB of eMMC storage, 802.11ac WiFi and Bluetooth, and Gigabit Ethernet support.

AnandTech Article: http://www.anandtech.com/show/9779/nvidia-announces-jetson-tx1-tegra-x1-module-development-kit

The Jetson TX1 Development Kit will be available for preorder starting Nov. 12 for $599 in the United States. The kit includes the Jetson TX1 module, a carrier board (pictured below), and a 5MP camera. The stand-alone module will be available in early 2016 (for $299 in bulk).

The Jetson TK1 (not TX1) was released in 2014 to encourage the development of products based on the Tegra K1 processor. However, according to AnandTech, developers were using the Jetson TK1 outright as a production board, choosing to focus on peripheral and software development instead of system hardware development. With the new TX1, all of the I/O connectivity is provided on a carrier board, enabling rapid development on the credit-card sized TX1 module. After development is finished, the TX1 module can be directly deployed in products, such as drones.

NVIDIA used a drone application to promote the Jetson TX1

https://twitter.com/NVIDIATegra/status/664238535096926208

Hi Benoit, thank you for that link. Today we have tested the USB3 port of the J100. It is basically functional. I have tested an USB 3 stick and successfully performed reads and writes of large files. This was good. But the problem are the PicoBlade connectors which I use for USB 3. These are definitely the wrong choice. I have attached a 15 cm (6") unshielded twisted pair cable to connect from the PicoBlade to the USB 3 type A connector. This setup turned out to be very sensitive to Wifi radiation. A closely Wifi did crash the USB 3 connection multiple times.

So I decided to replace the PicoBlade connectors for USB 3 by Micro USB 3 connectors on the rev 2 version of the J100 carrier board. I have attached a picture of this new version. Next week I will order PCBs so that I can ship a first batch of J100s to beta customers in mid March. If you would like to secure a J100 of the first batch, please preorder now, so I can plan the demand accordingly.

You need to be a member of diydrones to add comments!

Join diydrones

Comments

JB February 13, 2016 at 10:14am

Wow Jurgen you really don't mess around..nice work! Super Pi indeed!

Roger on the microUSB cables, should be ok.
Jurgen Stelbrink February 13, 2016 at 9:36am

I have just started an Indiegogo campaign for the Jetson Pi. It is basically an J100 with connectors which turns it in to a very, very high performance "Raspberry Pi" lookalike. ;-)

Jetson Pi on Indiegogo

Please have a look. It features real USB 3 connectors. JB, I am confident that we find the right cables. If not I will get a whole bunch custom made in China and include them with the product.
JB February 12, 2016 at 8:02pm

Looks like you were right again Patrick! ;-)

Jurgen with the micro USB3 connectors I think there might be a problem with getting fitting client/host cables. The TX1 is the host, so maybe full size USB3 plugs need to be used? Do you have access to micro USB3 to micro USB3 cables otherwise?
Jurgen Stelbrink February 12, 2016 at 4:45pm

Thank you, JB. It has been a nice experience to explore the possibilities of USB3. On the PCB I worry about closely matching 90 Ohm differential impedance and to do pretty precise length matching. And then you run the lanes as unshielded twisted pair cable. And it works. It is crazy.
Patrick Poirier February 12, 2016 at 4:34pm

It is a matter of frequency actually USB3 is working in the 2,5Mbps range so shielding will be mandatory on all aspect of this design. Allow me to express al my admiration for your work and determination, this is a great project and it has to go through these stages.
Jurgen Stelbrink February 12, 2016 at 4:24pm

Hi Patrick, yes, I remember it. ;-)

Actually I am surprised that 5Gbits can travel over 15cm of unshielded twisted pair cable that well. If you just use USB2 then the PicoBlades may be fine. USB2 does not seem to be sensitive to the Wifi radiation. I guess the sensitivity to radiation can be fixed if the cable is shielded. But this is not easy to achieve. So I think the micro USB 3 connectors are the better choice. The drawback is that the micro USB 3 cables are a lot more bulky.
Patrick Poirier February 12, 2016 at 4:10pm

Jurgens
This was an issue that we adress a while ago and you know what my concern was
Jurgen Stelbrink February 12, 2016 at 3:59pm

Hi Benoit, thank you for that link. Today we have tested the USB3 port of the J100. It is basically functional. I have tested an USB 3 stick and successfully performed reads and writes of large files. This was good. But the problem are the PicoBlade connectors which I use for USB 3. These are definitely the wrong choice. I have attached a 15 cm (6") unshielded twisted pair cable to connect from the PicoBlade to the USB 3 type A connector. This setup turned out to be very sensitive to Wifi radiation. A closely Wifi did crash the USB 3 connection multiple times.

So I decided to replace the PicoBlade connectors for USB 3 by Micro USB 3 connectors on the rev 2 version of the J100 carrier board. I have attached a picture of this new version. Next week I will order PCBs so that I can ship a first batch of J100s to beta customers in mid March. If you would like to secure a J100 of the first batch, please preorder now, so I can plan the demand accordingly.
Benoît Courty February 12, 2016 at 12:25pm

For TX1 and ZED you could have a look to JetsonHacks blog : http://jetsonhacks.com/2016/02/03/stereolabs-zed-camera/
Jerry Giant February 12, 2016 at 8:09am

thanks matt, it's on my profile now.

of 28

This reply was deleted.