The world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is continually evolving, with the demand for more efficient and powerful computing solutions on the rise. One such innovation is the Jetson Xavier NX, a compact AI System-on-Module (SoM) supercomputer developed by NVIDIA. This powerful, energy-efficient module brings supercomputing capabilities to embedded systems and edge devices, enabling AI processing at the edge while maintaining a small form factor and low power consumption.
The Jetson Xavier NX boasts exceptional performance in a tiny package, with up to 21 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second) at 15 watts or 14 TOPS at 10 watts. It leverages NVIDIA’s cutting-edge Volta GPU architecture alongside a powerful ARM-based CPU, which allows for the simultaneous execution of multiple neural networks and advanced processing tasks. Furthermore, the module supports a range of high-speed interfaces, including PCIe Gen4 and USB 3.2, catering to the burgeoning need for rapid data transfer and communication in AI applications.
Ideal for applications such as robotics, drones, autonomous machines, and IoT devices, the Jetson Xavier NX’s compact design and impressive computational capabilities make it an attractive solution for developers seeking to incorporate AI into their projects. As the AI landscape continues to grow and expand, the Jetson Xavier NX is poised to play a significant role in driving innovation and transforming industries.
Jetson Xavier NX Overview
NVIDIA Jetson Xavier NX is a compact AI System-on-Module (SoM) designed for AI and computer vision applications. It delivers outstanding performance in a small form factor, making it suitable for robotics, smart cameras, and other edge AI devices.
Key Features
- Powerful AI computing: The Jetson Xavier NX runs on an NVIDIA Volta architecture GPU and a 6-core Carmel ARM64 CPU, which allows it to deliver 21 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second) at 15W.
- Flexible I/O: It provides a wide range of I/O options, including MIPI CSI-2 and MIPI DSI interfaces for camera and display connectivity, USB 3.1 Type-A and Type-C ports, and gigabit Ethernet.
- Linux OS support: The SoM supports the NVIDIA JetPack SDK, which includes the Linux OS, libraries, and APIs for deep learning, computer vision, accelerated computing, and multimedia.
- Compact form factor: With a size of just 70x45mm, the Jetson Xavier NX is an ideal solution for space-constrained applications.
Technical Specifications
- GPU: NVIDIA Volta architecture with 384 NVIDIA CUDA cores and 48 Tensor cores
- CPU: 6-core NVIDIA Carmel ARM64 processor
- DL Accelerator: 2x NVDLA (NVIDIA Deep Learning Accelerator) Engines
- Memory: 8GB 128-bit LPDDR4x at 51.2 GB/s
- Storage: 16GB eMMC 5.1 flash storage
- Power Consumption: 10W to 15W
- I/O:
- Camera: 6x 2-lane MIPI CSI-2
- Display: 2x 4-lane MIPI DSI, 1x HDMI 2.0
- USB: 1x USB 3.1 Type-A, 1x USB 3.1 Type-C, 2x USB 2.0
- Ethernet: Gigabit Ethernet with PoE support
This compact AI SoM provides a versatile and powerful solution for a wide range of AI and computer vision applications.
AI Performance and Capabilities
The Jetson Xavier NX is a compact AI system-on-module supercomputer that offers exceptional performance and capabilities for a wide range of applications, from robotics to edge computing.
CUDA
The Jetson Xavier NX is built on NVIDIA’s CUDA platform, which allows developers to tap into the power of NVIDIA GPUs for parallel processing and acceleration of complex AI workloads:
- 384 NVIDIA CUDA cores enable efficient computation and high parallelism
- Support for CUDA 10.2 ensures compatibility with the latest technologies and libraries
Developers can harness the power of CUDA to accelerate their AI applications and unlock new levels of performance.
Tensor Cores
At the heart of the Jetson Xavier NX’s AI capabilities are its dedicated Tensor Cores, which provide hardware acceleration for deep learning tasks:
- 48 Tensor Cores deliver up to 21 TOPS of AI performance
- Optimized for mixed-precision workloads, supporting FP16, INT8, and INT4 datatypes
Tensor Cores enable developers to run state-of-the-art deep learning models with low latency and high throughput, making Jetson Xavier NX ideal for resource-constrained environments.
Deep Learning Accelerator
In addition to its CUDA cores and Tensor Cores, the Jetson Xavier NX features a dedicated Deep Learning Accelerator (DLA) that further enhances its AI capabilities:
- Dual DLA Engines for simultaneous processing of multiple neural networks
- Compatible with popular deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow and PyTorch
The DLA enables developers to offload AI workloads from the GPU for even greater parallelism and efficiency, providing additional resources for complex tasks or multiple applications.
By leveraging the advanced AI capabilities and performance provided by the Jetson Xavier NX, developers can create powerful, efficient, and compact AI solutions for a wide range of applications.
Compatibility and SDK
NVIDIA JetPack SDK
The Jetson Xavier NX is fully compatible with the comprehensive NVIDIA JetPack SDK, offering developers access to a vast ecosystem of tools and libraries for fast and efficient development. JetPack SDK simplifies the deployment of AI, computer vision, and robotics applications by providing:
- CUDA Toolkit for GPU-accelerated parallel computing
- cuDNN library for deep learning
- TensorRT for optimizing deep learning models
- VisionWorks for computer vision algorithms
Developers can take advantage of Jetson Xavier NX’s high-performance capabilities seamlessly, thanks to the compatibility with various frameworks and platforms, including TensorFlow, PyTorch, ROS, and others.
To ensure ease of integration, the Jetson Xavier NX is designed to be compatible with industry-standard connectors, allowing for straightforward connections to various peripherals and devices. This flexibility enables the development of a wide range of applications in fields such as robotics, drones, edge computing, and more.
Use Cases and Applications
Robotics
The Jetson Xavier NX, with its powerful AI capabilities, is being deployed in various robotic systems. This includes automated guided vehicles (AGVs), robotic arms, and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). These robotic systems leverage the Xavier NX for tasks like object recognition, navigation, and manipulation. The high computational performance of this system-on-module enables real-time analysis and decision-making capabilities for robots, allowing for increased efficiency and accuracy in various industrial and commercial applications.
Drones
Drones equipped with the Jetson Xavier NX can perform a wide range of tasks more efficiently, including aerial inspections, surveillance, and delivery services. The AI capabilities of the Xavier NX enable drones to process images and sensor data, allowing for better object detection, tracking, and classification. Additionally, the compact form factor of the module allows for a seamless integration into various drone designs, ensuring minimal impact on the overall weight and size of the device.
Edge AI Devices
Edge AI devices are becoming increasingly important in various industries, and Jetson Xavier NX plays a crucial role in their development. These devices, which include security cameras, smart appliances, and industrial IoT sensors, require highly efficient AI processing. The Xavier NX, with its energy-efficient architecture and powerful GPU, is an ideal choice for these edge AI applications. Developers can quickly deploy complex deep learning models to these devices, enhancing their capabilities for real-time decision-making and analysis.
Comparison to Other AI Modules
Jetson TX2
The Jetson TX2 is an earlier version of NVIDIA’s AI modules. It has a dual-core NVIDIA Denver2 CPU, a quad-core ARM Cortex-A57 CPU, and a 256-core Pascal GPU. The Jetson TX2 supports 8GB of LPDDR4 memory and 32GB of eMMC 5.1 storage.
The performance of the Jetson TX2 pales in comparison to the Jetson Xavier NX, as the latter provides greater computing power with its 384-core Volta GPU and an 8-core ARM Cortex-A57 CPU.
Jetson AGX Xavier
The Jetson AGX Xavier is a high-performance AI module by NVIDIA. It boasts an 8-core ARMv8.2 CPU, a 512-core Volta GPU, and 32 GB of LPDDR4x memory. In terms of performance, the Jetson AGX Xavier is more advanced than the Jetson Xavier NX. However, the Jetson Xavier NX stands out due to its smaller form factor and lower power consumption.
| Specification | Jetson Xavier NX | Jetson AGX Xavier |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 6-core ARMv8.2 | 8-core ARMv8.2 |
| GPU | 384-core Volta | 512-core Volta |
| Memory | 8GB LPDDR4x | 32GB LPDDR4x |
Jetson Nano
The Jetson Nano is a more budget-friendly option in NVIDIA’s AI module lineup. It has a quad-core ARM Cortex-A57 CPU, a 128-core Maxwell GPU, and supports 4GB LPDDR4 memory. Although the Jetson Nano is a low-cost alternative, it has comparatively lower performance and processing power than the Jetson Xavier NX.
To sum up the differences:
- Jetson TX2: Lower performance than Jetson Xavier NX, larger form factor
- Jetson AGX Xavier: Higher performance, larger form factor and power consumption
- Jetson Nano: Budget-friendly option, lower performance
Conclusion
The Jetson Xavier NX is a highly capable and compact AI system-on-module that brings exceptional performance to the market. With its powerful GPU and CPU, it delivers the computing capabilities needed for various AI and deep learning applications, making it suitable for use in robotics, drones, and IoT devices.
This module provides developers with a cost-effective solution that offers flexibility for scaling AI workloads efficiently. The in-depth developer tools and libraries available, such as CUDA and TensorRT, assist in creating high-performance AI applications with ease.
In summary, the Jetson Xavier NX is a well-rounded AI system-on-module that can help lower the barrier for AI development and pave the way for innovation in various industries.
