Astro Carrier & XBG201 Breakout Boards Are Designed for Nvidia Jetson TX1 Module

Nvidia unveiled Jetson TX1 system-on-module powered by their latest Tegra X1 processor, as well as a carrier board that fits into a mini-ITX case at the end of last year. However, if you need something more compact  and lightweight, Connect Tech designed Astro Carrier baseboard for Jetson TX1 module with about the same size, as well as a breakout board with connectors that can be customized as needed.

Astro Carrier (ASG001) board specifications:

• SoM Connector – Samtec “SEARAY” high density board to board connector for Jetson TX1 module
• Breakout board connectors – 3x 60-pin high density connectors with HDMI, SATA,  2x Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000), 1x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, 2x RS-232/RS-485, 2x camera (CSI4), 4x GPIO……
• Storage – micro SD slot
• On-board connectivity – GbE magnetics + Intel 82574 GbE PHY + magnetics
• Video I/Os
  • 8x u.FL video inputs GMSL (Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link) signaling via 2x MAX9286 deserializer connected to CSI0 to CSI3
  • HDMI circuitry
• Audio – Freescale SGTL50000 stereo codec
• Expansion
  • mini PCIe slot (half size or full size)
  • mSATA slot (only if half size used above)
• Misc – Fan connector, UART control switch
• Power Supply – +7.5V to +14.0V DC input range ; +12V DC Nominal Input
• Dimensions – 87mm x 57mm
• Weight – 46 grams with stands
• Temperature range – -40 C to +85 C

You’ll also need a breakout port plugged into the three 60-pin board to board connectors in order to add connector for power, USB, Ethernet, etc… and the company provides an off-the-shelf board called XBG201 with the following key features:

• Video output – HDMI type A connector
• Connectivity – 2x RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet
• USB – 1x USB 3.0 type A, 1x USB 2.0 type A
• Camera – 1x MIPI connector
• Headers
  • Stereo output header
  • 2x RS-232/RS-485 Header
  • GPIO Header with 4x GPIO, 4x GND
  • System control header with power, main and secondary reset, sleep and battery low signals
  • RTC battery connector
• Power supply +9V to +36V Input via terminal
• Dimensions – 87mm x 57mm
• Weight – 51 grams
• Temperature range – -40 C to +85 C

Relevant cables and RTC cables are also available to XBG201 board. If the breakout board design does not match your requirements, the company can provide reference design package, which as I understand it should allow you to create your own design relatively easily, or design a custom breakout board on your behalf.

The software part should probably be fully handled by Nvidia, as they provide Jetson TX1 module, and you can find all information needed on Nvidia Jetson Embedded page to access the Linux SDK, libraries, tools, and documentation.

Astro Carrier and breakout boards are available now, at an undisclosed price. Some hardware documentation can be downloaded on the product page.  Connect Tech Inc (CTI) is also working on a lower cost Elroy carrier board that should be launched next month.

Thanks to Byron for the tip.

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.

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