Technical Description
xEC-NX-3P-X2G3September 6, 2023
Version 0.2 (draft)Introduction
Dear Customer,
thank you for choosing XIMEA and the XEC-NX-3P-X2G3, our embedded carrier board®
designed to connect your xiX or xiX-Xtreme cameras to the NVIDIA Jetson Xavier NX™module.
Equipped with three Firefly PCIe connectors, a high-speed 10 Gbit/s Ethernet port, andan M.2 slot for NVMe SSDs, this device is tailored to the special requirements of anembedded imaging system.
We’ve designed this guide to be your comprehensive resource, covering everything fromsetup to in-depth descriptions of complex features.
Thank you for entrusting us with your sophisticated needs. Together, we will unlock
unparalleled performance embodying our commitment to imaging beyond the standard.
Your XIMEA Team

Contents
1

Overview

32

Getting Started

4

2.1

Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

42.2

Connecting the Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

42.3

Flashing the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

42.4

Installing the XIMEA Software Package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

83Reference

93.1

PCIe System Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

93.2

PCIe / FireFly connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

103.3

DIP Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

113.4

Buttons and LEDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

123.5

GPIOs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13

4Accessories

14
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1

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Example: Hardware Trigger

15

6Known Issues

15

6.1

Related to 10GigE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

15

6.2

Related to NVMe SSDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

156.3Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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1Overview

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3

2

Getting Started

2.1 Requirements
To begin the setup of your XEC-NX-3P-X2G3, ensure you have the following essentials:
You’ll need an NVIDIA Jetson module with an appropriate cooler as the central component of your system. A 24V power supply unit that can supply at least 2.5A is also
required, though actual power consumption may vary with use. If expanded storage isneeded, an NVMe SSD tailored to your use case will be suitable.
For flashing the operating system onto the Jetson module, a separately procured USB
micro-B cable will be necessary. Your host system should be running Ubuntu 18.04
or 20.04, with internet access to download required software packages.
With these prerequisites in place, you’re ready to explore the unique capabilities of yourXEC-NX-3P-X2G3, taking your imaging beyond the standard.

2.2 Connecting the Hardware
As you embark on setting up your XEC-NX-3P-X2G3, begin by installing the NVIDIAJetson Xavier NX module into the SO-DIMM slot on the carrier board. Slide the module
in and push down until it clicks into place, securing it with the provided screw. Connect
the fan of the Jetson Xavier NX module to the fan connector on the carrier board.
Next, if using an NVMe SSD, place it in the M.2 slot and secure it with the suppliedscrew.
To connect a camera, slide the Firefly connector into one of the ports on the board. If
you want to use a camera that utilizes four PCIe lanes, please use port A. Please referto section 3.1 for more information on these ports.
With these connections in place, you can connect the included power cable to the board
as shown in Figure 2, but refrain from connecting the power supply to the power cablethrough the barrel connector just yet. Proceed through the following sections of thisguide for continued setup and configuration.

2.3 Flashing the System
To flash the Jetson Xavier NX Module, please download and install the NVIDIA SDK Manager on your host system.
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Figure 1: XEC-NX-3P-X2G3 with Jetson module

Figure 2: System with power and USB for flashing connected

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Enable the force recovery mode on your Jetson Module by setting switch 11 on SW-DIP12POS to ON as shown in Figure 3. Then connect the module to your host system using
a micro USB cable. Afterwards you can connect power to the system which will cause it
to boot into force recovery mode.
You may now launch the NVIDIA SDK manager. It will detect your module and you will
be able to choose a Jetpack version to install. Please note that Jetpack version 5.0 orlater will be required to be able to boot from the NVMe drive.
If you plan to flash the system image to an NVMe drive, it is recommended to also set
the DIP switch for ”dual x4” mode to get the best performance during installation. You
may later switch to ”quad x2” mode if required. Please refer to section 3.1 for more
information on those configuration options.
In case you want to use the Jetson Orin NX module, please follow the instructions insection 2.3.1 now. For the Jetson Xavier NX you can proceed with the unmodified default
image for the development kit provided by NVIDIA. Please follow the instructions in theinstaller to complete the installation.1
2.3.1 Modifications for Jetson Orin NX
To prepare the image for flashing the Jetson Orin NX on the XEC-NX-3P-X2G3, the devicetree must be slightly modified.
Follow the instructions in the SDK manager to download and prepare the image on yourhost system, but skip the flashing step for now. The image can be found in the Target
HW image folder after it has been prepared.
Go to the following folder in your Target HW image folder:<version>/Linux\_for\_Tegra/bootloader/t186ref/BCT/Now open the following file in your preferred text editor with root privileges:
tegra234-mb2-bct-misc-p3767-0000.dts
Search for cvb_eeprom_read_size and change that line to:
cvb_eeprm_read_size = <0x0>;
Afterwards you can continue with the regular flashing procedure using SDK Manager orthe flash.sh script.
1 For additional guidance see: https://docs.nvidia.com/sdk-manager/install-with-sdkm-jetson/index.html

6

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Figure 3: Configuration of SW-DIP-12POS for force recovery mode

Figure 4: SDK manager: Step 02, Target HW image folder

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72.4 Installing the XIMEA Software Package
Once the installation is finished, you will be able to login to the Jetson system. You cando so either with a directly attached keyboard and monitor or via ssh.
To install the XIMEA Software package on the Jetson, follow the installation instructions
provided on the XIMEA website.

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3Reference

3.1 PCIe System Overview
The XEC-NX-3P-X2G3’s PCIe ports offer two configurations: ”Dual x4” mode activatesthe m.2 and Firefly port A with PCIe x4 bandwidth, disabling Firefly ports B and C. In”Quad x2” mode, all ports are enabled with PCIe x2 bandwidth.

Figure 5: Configuration of the PCIe system in Dual x4 mode

Figure 6: Configuration of the PCIe system in Quad x2 mode
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93.2 PCIe / FireFly connectors
The XEC-NX-3P-X2G3 provides three FireFly connectors to connect cameras. They areused for data transmission, camera control, power and IO.
These connectors can be used with Samtec ECUE copper cables or PCUO optical transceivers.
When the configuration is switched to Dual x4 mode, only FireFly connector A is activewith four lanes of PCIe Gen3.
When the configuration is switched to Quad x2 mode, all three connectors are activewith two lanes of PCIe Gen3.

Figure 7: FireFly Connectors
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3.3 DIP Switches

Figure 8: Location of SW-DIP-12POS (green), the PCIe Port Configuration Switch (red)and the SPI Voltage Switch (blue)
3.3.1 Port Configuration
The Port Configuration Switch can be used to configure the PCIe ports. There are twopossible settings:• Dual x4 – only Firefly port A and M.2 are enabled with four lanes each
• Quad x2 – all ports enabled with two lanes each
3.3.2 SPI Voltage
The SPI voltage switch determines the voltage for the SPI interface of the Jetson module.
There are two possible settings:• 1V8 – 1.8V
• 3V3 – 3.3V
3.3.3 SW-DIP-12POS
SW-DIP-12POS consists of 12 individual switches:
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Function
Connect camera IO ground to system ground 2
Enable GPO 5V for

Connect the 5V output of Camera A to the input ofConnect GPIO07 of the Jetson module to the input ofEnable the Force Recovery mode on the Jetson module
Connect GPIO13 to ground 3

Camera A
Camera B
Camera C
Camera A
Camera B
Camera C
Camera A
Camera B
Camera CPosition
123456789101112

3.4 Buttons and LEDs
The two buttons and LEDs on the edge of the PCB near the M.2 connector are connected
to GPIO pins on the Jetson module as shown in Figure 9Figure 9: Buttons and LEDs

2 Required for 5V IOs
3 GPIO13 is high (1.8V) in OFF position

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3.5 GPIOs
3.5.1 Jetson GPIOs
The GPIO connector is a Samtec TigerEye TFM Header (TFM-115-01-S-D-RE1-W) with30 positions. It gives users access to the GPIOs of the Jetson module and the supply
voltages on the board. Figure 10 shows the orientation of the connector.
Pin123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930Name
VCC_CONN
VCC_CONN
VCC5V0GND
VCC3V3GND
VCC1V8TX_RTC_BATNC
GPIO7_5V0
GPIO3
GPIO4
GPIO5
GPIO6
GPIO7
UART0_1V8_RTS
UART0_1V8_CTS
UART0_1V8_RX
UART0_1V8_TX
UART1_1V8_RXUART1_1V8_TX
SPI_MISOSPI_CLKSPI_MOSISPI_CS0#SPI_CS1#
I2C1_3V3_SCL
I2C1_3V3_SDA
I2C2_1V8_SCL
I2C2_1V8_SDA

Description
Voltage from the input power connector (12-24V)
Voltage from the input power connector (12-24V)
5V
Ground3.3V
Ground
1.8V
Positive voltage from coin battery
Reserved for future use
Jetson GPIO07 driven to 5V
Jetson GPIO03
Jetson GPIO04
Jetson GPIO05
Jetson GPIO06
Jetson GPIO07
Jetson UART0 RTS
Jetson UART0 CTS
Jetson UART0 RX
Jeston UART0 TX
Jetson UART1 TXJeston UART1 RX
Jetson SPI0 MISO
Jetson SPI0 CLK
Jetson SPI0 MOSI
Jetson SPI0 CS0Jetson SPI0 CS1Jetson I2 C1 SCL
Jetson I2 C1 SDA
Jetson I2 C2 SCL
Jetson I2 C2 SDA
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13Figure 10: Jetson GPIO Connector
3.5.2

Camera GPIO

Figure 11: Camera GPIO Connector
Pin1234Name
CAM_GPO_ISO
ISO_GND
CAM_GPI_ISO
CAM_GPO_5V0

Description
Opto-isolated output
Ground for Opto-isolated signals
Opto-isolated input
Output driven to 5V

4Accessories

TBD
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5

Example: Hardware Trigger

6Known Issues

6.1 Related to 10GigE• The ACQ113 Ethernet controller is not reliably detected when the Jetson boots.
• In hardware rev. 1, the ACQ113 is never detected on the Jetson Orin NX without
modifications to the board.
• When connected to the Jetson Xavier NX, it is not possible to achieve full 10Gbit/s
ethernet bandwidth.

6.2 Related to NVMe SSDs
• Most NVMe SSDs will heat up quickly and throttle down when used without additional cooling.
• Some SSDs are not properly detected when the board is configured to Quad x2mode.
• In Jetpack 5.x there is a known issue which causes PCIe devices behind PCIeswitches to have lower than expected bandwidth. This affects the write speed onSSDs.

6.3 Other• The xEC-NX-3P-X2G3 has a socket for a non-rechargeable coin battery to keep its
real time clock running when powered down. Unfortunately, the battery charging
logic on the Jetson Xavier NX is enabled by default and may try to charge thisnon-rechargeable battery.

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