Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Jetson module?
A Jetson module is the core processing unit that contains the CPU, GPU, memory, and storage. It’s like the “brain” of the system. Modules are designed to be mounted on carrier boards and are available in various performance levels (e.g., Orin Nano, Orin NX, AGX Orin).
What is a Carrier Board?
A carrier board (or baseboard) provides the necessary connectors and interfaces — such as USB, HDMI, Ethernet, CSI, GPIO — so you can actually use the Jetson module in real-world applications. Think of it as the “body” that connects and powers the module.
What is an NVIDIA Jetson Developer Kit?
An NVIDIA Jetson Developer Kit is an official development platform from NVIDIA, designed to help you prototype and deploy edge AI applications. It includes a Jetson module (such as Orin Nano, Orin NX, or AGX Orin) pre-installed on a reference carrier board, along with essential I/O ports (USB, HDMI, Ethernet, etc.), a heatsink or fan, and full support for the JetPack SDK, which provides CUDA®, cuDNN, TensorRT™, and other key AI development tools.
What is an AI Kit?
An AI Kit is a hardware bundle designed to support AI applications at the edge. At Aetherix, our AI Kits combine high-performance Jetson modules (such as Orin Nano or Orin NX) with compatible carrier boards. These kits provide a hardware-ready platform for building AI-powered systems such as smart cameras, autonomous machines, and industrial gateways.
What is the difference between an AI Kit and a Developer Kit?
An AI Kit and a Developer Kit both include essential Jetson hardware components such as a Jetson module, carrier board, and cooling solution, making them suitable starting points for edge AI development. The main difference is in the type of hardware used: Developer Kits are official NVIDIA products that come with a Jetson module pre-mounted on a reference carrier board designed by NVIDIA, typically with standard ports and layout. AI Kits from Aetherix use the same Jetson modules but are paired with third-party carrier boards, aftermarket heatsinks or fans, and NVMe storage, offering more variety in form factors and performance characteristics. While both serve similar development purposes, AI Kits provide greater flexibility in selecting hardware combinations based on specific project needs.
How to Choose the Right Jetson Module for Your Project
To choose the right Jetson module for your project, start by evaluating your needs: What AI models will you run (light, medium, or heavy)? Do you require real-time camera input, and how many streams? What are your power limitations? Will the system operate in industrial environments? Your decision should be based on compute, memory, power, and I/O requirements. For example, Jetson Orin Nano is suitable for entry-level AI tasks with low power consumption, Jetson Orin NX offers a balance between performance and efficiency, and Jetson AGX Orin is ideal for high-performance AI and robotics workloads. Also, consider your inference workload (e.g., FPS and model size), edge deployment constraints, and scalability.
Can I Use My Jetson Module With a Different Carrier Board?
Yes, Jetson modules follow a standardized connector layout (depending on form factor), but BSP and driver compatibility is critical. Make sure the chosen carrier board supports your Jetson module and comes with a reliable BSP package.
Which Carrier Board Is Best Suited for My Use Case?
NVIDIA provides reference carrier boards, but you can also use third-party carrier boards tailored to specific needs (e.g., industrial I/O, fanless, compact form). Choose based on: power input type, number/type of ports (USB, M.2, Ethernet, CAN, etc.), environmental conditions (temperature, vibration, etc.), and available documentation and support.
Why Doesn’t My Device Display Anything When I Connect It to a Monitor?
Jetson products are shipped without a pre-installed operating system. To get the device up and running with a display output, you need to first install the appropriate BSP (Board Support Package). Once installed, the device will start displaying.
I Completed the Installation, but a Specific Port or Connector Isn’t Working. Why?
This is often due to an incorrect or incomplete installation. Please follow the official documentation closely and reinstall the system.
I Connected a Camera to the Jetson, but There’s No Video Output. What Could Be Wrong?
For CSI cameras, ensure the camera is connected while the system is powered off. After connecting, power on the Jetson and allow related services to initialize properly. You can also try rebooting after connection.
How can I flash Jetson modules with a custom image or my own software stack?
You can use NVIDIA SDK Manager to flash official JetPack images. For custom OS or embedded deployments, use tools like flash.sh from the L4T package. Always ensure image compatibility with your hardware setup.