NVIDIA Jetson Carrier Boards: Complete Selection and Integration Guide

NVIDIA Jetson Carrier Boards serve as the critical interface between powerful Jetson System-on-Modules and the physical world, providing connectivity, power management, and I/O expansion, enabling diverse robotics and AI applications. Understanding Jetson carrier board options helps developers select appropriate platforms for prototyping, development, and production deployment.

This comprehensive guide explores official NVIDIA carrier boards, third-party alternatives, key features affecting selection, and practical considerations for integrating Jetson modules into custom applications across robotics, industrial automation, autonomous vehicles, and embedded AI systems.

Understanding Jetson Carrier Boards

Before examining specific boards, understanding carrier board fundamentals clarifies their role in Jetson-based systems.

What Are Jetson Carrier Boards?

Jetson carrier boards are printed circuit boards designed to host NVIDIA Jetson System-on-Modules (SOMs), providing the electrical connections, power supply circuits, and peripheral interfaces necessary for complete system operation. The carrier board essentially transforms the compact SOM into a fully functional computer with accessible ports and connectors.

Think of the relationship like a laptop motherboard hosting a CPU module—the carrier board provides the infrastructure, while the SOM provides the computing power. This modular approach enables using the same high-performance Jetson module across different applications by simply changing carrier boards.

Why Modular Architecture Matters

The SOM plus carrier board approach provides several advantages:

Flexibility: Different carrier boards serve different applications without requiring redesign of the core computing module.

Development Speed: Start with reference carrier boards for prototyping, then transition to custom designs for production.

Risk Mitigation: Proven SOM designs reduce development risk while custom carrier boards optimize for specific requirements.

Cost Optimization: Mass-produced SOMs achieve economies of scale while application-specific carrier boards add only necessary features.

Upgradeability: Newer SOM generations often maintain pin compatibility, enabling performance upgrades without carrier board redesign.

This architecture separates high-complexity SOM design, requiring NVIDIA expertise, from application-specific carrier board design, manageable by product engineering teams.

Think Robotics, as an authorized NVIDIA distributor in India, provides both official NVIDIA carrier boards and carefully selected third-party alternatives, helping developers choose appropriate platforms for their specific application requirements with expert guidance and local support.

Official NVIDIA Carrier Boards

NVIDIA designs reference carrier boards optimizing for different use cases and module families.

Jetson Orin Nano/NX Developer Kit Carrier Board

The official developer kit carrier board for Orin Nano and Orin NX provides comprehensive I/O:

Key Features:

• 4x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports

• 1x USB Type-C (power and device mode)

• Gigabit Ethernet RJ45

• M.2 Key M slot for NVMe SSD storage

• M.2 Key E slot for WiFi/Bluetooth modules

• 2x MIPI CSI-2 camera connectors (4-lane each)

• DisplayPort and HDMI outputs

• 40-pin GPIO header

• Fan connector with PWM control

• RTC battery backup

• 12V DC barrel jack power input

This configuration balances comprehensive connectivity with manageable size, ideal for development, prototyping, and educational applications.

Jetson AGX Orin Developer Kit Carrier Board

The high-end carrier board for AGX Orin modules provides expanded capabilities:

Enhanced Features:

• 8x USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports

• Dual 10GbE networking (some variants)

• Multiple M.2 slots for storage and expansion

• Up to 6x MIPI CSI-2 camera connectors

• Multiple display outputs

• PCIe Gen 4 expansion slots

• CAN bus interfaces

• Expanded GPIO

• Industrial power input options

This platform suits complex multi-camera systems, autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, and applications requiring maximum I/O bandwidth.

Reference Design Advantages

Official NVIDIA carrier boards provide several benefits:

Proven Design: Extensively tested, ensuring reliable operation and compatibility.

Complete Documentation: Schematics, design files, and integration guides available.

Software Support: Full JetPack compatibility with tested drivers and configurations.

Technical Support: Direct NVIDIA support channels for troubleshooting and questions.

Fast Development: Immediate availability, enables rapid project starts without waiting for custom hardware.

Think Robotics maintains an an inventory of official NVIDIA developer kits,, including reference carrier boards, ensuring Indian customers have access to proven platforms without international shipping delays or availability uncertainty.

Third-Party Carrier Board Options

Numerous manufacturers create specialized carrier boards addressing specific needs.

Seeed Studio Carrier Boards

Seeed Studio offers various carrier boards optimized for different priorities:

A608 Carrier Board:

• Compact industrial design

• Dual Gigabit Ethernet

• Multiple camera interfaces

• M.2 expansion for storage and wireless

• Broad voltage input (9-20V DC)

• Designed for robotics and vision applications

Computer Series:

• Complete systems with enclosures

• Pre-installed storage and wireless

• Thermal management solutions included

• Ready-to-deploy form factors

These boards balance cost, features, and industrial ruggedness for production applications.

Forecr.io Industrial Carrier Boards

Forecr specializes in industrial and video analytics applications:

DSBOARD Series:

• Optimized for multi-stream video processing

• Multiple camera inputs (up to 18 streams)

• Network-focused connectivity

• Industrial mounting options

• Designed for surveillance and analytics

These platforms excel at applications that require the maximum camera count and network bandwidth.

Waveshare Educational Carrier Boards

Waveshare creates affordable carrier boards for education and makers:

Features:

• Cost-optimized designs

• Educational documentation

• Maker-friendly interfaces

• Compatibility with standard sensors and displays

• Good starting points for learning

These boards serve budget-conscious educational institutions and hobbyist projects.

Auvidea Industrial Solutions

Auvidea provides ruggedized carrier boards for demanding environments:

Industrial Features:

• Extended temperature ranges (-40°C to +85°C)

• Robust connectors and mechanical design

• Automotive-grade components

• Compliance with industrial standards

• Long-term availability commitments

These platforms are well-suited for outdoor deployments, automotive applications, and harsh industrial environments.

Think Robotics curates third-party carrier boards, evaluating quality, documentation, and support, ensuring customers have access to reliable alternatives to official NVIDIA boards with comparable quality and superior value for specific applications.

Key Features Affecting Selection

Understanding critical features helps match carrier boards to application requirements.

Camera Interfaces

MIPI CSI-2 Connectors: Most Jetson applications use camera-based perception, which requires CSI camera interfaces. Consider:

• Number of camera ports needed

• Lane count per port (2-lane vs 4-lane affects resolution/framerate)

• Connector types (15-pin vs 22-pin)

• Physical spacing for multiple cameras

USB Camera Support: Some applications use USB cameras:

• Check USB bandwidth availability

• Consider the USB hub needs for multiple cameras

• Verify USB 3.x for high-resolution cameras

Multi-camera robotics, autonomous vehicles, and surveillance require careful camera interface planning.

Storage Expansion

M.2 Slots: Modern carrier boards provide M.2 expansion:

• Key M slots: NVMe SSD storage (high-speed, recommended for OS and applications)

• Key E slots: WiFi/Bluetooth modules

• Key B slots: 4G/5G cellular modems (less common)

Adequate storage is essential for AI models, datasets, logs, and applications that require more than microSD capacity.

Networking

Wired Networking:

• Gigabit Ethernet: Standard for most applications

• 10GbE: High-bandwidth video streaming or data transfer

• Multiple ports: Separate management and data networks

Wireless Options:

• M.2 Key E for WiFi/Bluetooth modules

• PCIe slots for specialized wireless cards

• Antenna connectors and placement considerations

Autonomous robots and mobile applications prioritize wireless, while stationary systems often use wired connections.

Power Input

Voltage Range:

• Narrow range (12V typical): Simple power supplies, limited flexibility

• Wide range (9-20V or broader): Automotive, industrial, battery applications

Power Delivery Method:

• Barrel jack: Simple, common

• USB-C Power Delivery: Modern, flexible

• Screw terminals: Industrial installations

• PoE (Power over Ethernet): Network-powered systems

Battery-powered mobile robots need wide voltage input accepting varying battery voltages as discharge progresses.

Form Factor

Size Considerations:

• Full-size developer boards: Maximum features, larger footprint

• Compact designs: Space-constrained applications

• Industrial form factors: Standard rack mounting, DIN rail mounting

Mounting:

• Standard mounting holes

• VESA patterns for display integration

• Custom mounting provisions

Robot chassis, vehicle integration, and industrial enclosures impose size and mounting requirements affecting carrier board selection.

Expansion and Connectivity

USB Ports:

• Quantity matters for peripherals

• USB 3.x for high-bandwidth devices

• Type-A vs Type-C considerations

GPIO and Serial:

• 40-pin expansion headers (Raspberry Pi compatible)

• Additional UART, I2C, SPI for sensors/actuators

• CAN bus for automotive/industrial protocols

PCIe Expansion:

• PCIe slots for specialized accelerators

• M.2 PCIe for compact expansion cards

• PCIe versions (Gen 3 vs Gen 4) affect bandwidth

Complex robots integrating many sensors and actuators require extensive expansion capabilities.

Thermal Management

Cooling Solutions:

• Passive heatsinks: Silent, adequate for moderate loads

• Active cooling fans: Required for sustained high performance

• Fan connectors with PWM control

• Thermal sensor integration

Heat Spreaders: Some carrier boards include thermal interfaces distributing heat to enclosures or chassis.

Sustained AI inference, multi-camera processing, or high ambient temperatures necessitate robust thermal management.

Development vs Production Carrier Boards

Different project phases benefit from different board types.

Development Phase

Use Official Developer Kits:

• Proven designs ensuring software compatibility

• Comprehensive I/O for exploring options

• Available immediately without custom hardware waits

• Full community support and documentation

Developer kits minimize risk during algorithm development, proof-of-concept work, and initial prototyping before investing in custom carrier board design.

Transition Phase

Consider Third-Party Alternatives:

• More application-specific features

• Reduced cost compared to official kits

• Industrial form factors and ruggedness

• Closer to production requirements

Third-party boards bridge development and production, enabling realistic testing without full custom design investment.

Production Phase

Custom Carrier Board Design: For high-volume production:

• Optimize for exact required features (eliminate unused I/O)

• Minimize size and cost

• Add product-specific interfaces

• Ensure regulatory compliance

• Control supply chain and manufacturing

NVIDIA provides design resources, reference designs, and technical support for custom carrier board development when production volumes justify investment.

Think Robotics connects customers with experienced carrier board design services and manufacturers when projects require custom hardware, ensuring successful transition from development to production.

Software and Driver Considerations

Carrier board selection affects software compatibility and effort.

JetPack Compatibility

Official Boards: Full JetPack support with tested drivers, configurations, and guaranteed compatibility across JetPack versions.

Popular Third-Party Boards: Many established third-party manufacturers provide JetPack-compatible images, device trees, and drivers, though may lag latest JetPack releases.

Custom Boards: Require developing or adapting device trees, drivers, and configurations—significant engineering effort requiring embedded Linux expertise.

Driver Availability

Consider driver requirements for:

• Camera sensors and ISP configurations

• Network interfaces beyond standard Ethernet

• Industrial protocols (CAN, Modbus, etc.)

• Specialized expansion cards

Well-supported carrier boards minimize software integration effort.

Community Support

Established carrier boards benefit from:

• User communities sharing experiences

• Forum discussions addressing common issues

• Example projects and code repositories

• Third-party tutorials and documentation

Strong community support accelerates troubleshooting and development.

Cost Considerations

Understanding total cost of ownership guides selection.

Initial Hardware Cost

Official Developer Kits: Higher upfront cost but include everything needed for immediate start—carrier board, enclosure, power supply, often cables.

Third-Party Boards: Often lower board cost but may require purchasing accessories separately—enclosures, power supplies, cables, storage, wireless modules.

Custom Designs: High NRE (non-recurring engineering) costs but lowest per-unit cost at high volumes.

Development Time Value

Faster Development: Proven carrier boards with good documentation and support reduce development time, often justifying higher initial cost through faster time-to-market.

Extended Development: Cheaper boards lacking documentation or support may consume significant engineering time troubleshooting and debugging, increasing total project cost.

Long-Term Costs

Availability: Established manufacturers with long-term availability commitments reduce redesign risk.

Support: Ongoing technical support availability affects maintenance costs and issue resolution speed.

Scalability: Boards supporting multiple Jetson SOM variants enable performance scaling without complete redesign.

Selecting the Right Carrier Board

Practical decision frameworks help choose appropriate platforms.

For Educational Projects

Choose official developer kits or Waveshare educational boards providing proven designs, comprehensive documentation, and community support enabling students focusing on learning rather than hardware troubleshooting.

For Research and Prototyping

Select official NVIDIA developer kits offering maximum flexibility, guaranteed JetPack compatibility, and comprehensive I/O enabling experimentation without constraints.

For Product Development

Consider third-party industrial carrier boards from Seeed, Forecr, or Auvidea providing production-appropriate form factors, ruggedization, and cost optimization while maintaining design flexibility.

For High-Volume Production

Invest in custom carrier board design optimizing for exact requirements, minimizing cost, and controlling supply chain once production volumes justify NRE investment.

For Specific Applications

Autonomous Vehicles: Prioritize automotive-grade boards with CAN bus, multiple cameras, GPS integration, wide voltage input.

Industrial Automation: Select industrial carriers with extended temperature, DIN rail mounting, industrial protocols, ruggedized connectors.

Drones and UAVs: Choose compact, lightweight carriers with power efficiency, IMU integration, telemetry interfaces.

Edge AI Appliances: Consider fanless designs with network focus, compact form factors, and appropriate mounting options.

Think Robotics provides consultation services helping customers navigate carrier board selection based on specific application requirements, budget constraints, and development timelines, ensuring optimal platform choices.

Conclusion

NVIDIA Jetson Carrier Boards transform compact System-on-Modules into complete functional computers providing essential connectivity, power management, and expansion capabilities for diverse AI and robotics applications. Official NVIDIA developer kit carrier boards offer proven designs with comprehensive I/O and full software support, while third-party alternatives provide specialized features, industrial ruggedization, or cost optimization for specific use cases.

Successful carrier board selection requires balancing performance needs, I/O requirements, environmental conditions, development timeline, and budget constraints. Development projects benefit from official reference designs ensuring compatibility and rapid starts, while production systems often justify custom carrier boards, optimizing for exact requirements at volume.

The modular SOM plus carrier board architecture enables starting with readily available development platforms, then transitioning to application-optimized designs as projects mature, reducing risk while maintaining flexibility throughout product lifecycles.

Ready to select the perfect Jetson carrier board? Visit Think Robotics at to explore official NVIDIA developer kits and curated third-party carrier board options. As an authorized NVIDIA distributor, Think Robotics provides authentic products, expert carrier board selection guidance, and comprehensive technical support for Jetson integration projects.