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Helios

Helios, a cutting-edge carrier board, specifically designed to complement and enhance the capabilities of NVIDIA Jetson modules.

helios helios

General​

  • The Helios introduces a powerful, yet efficient and compact edge computing solution based on NVIDIA® Jetson modules.
  • Helios introduces rich set of interfaces while maintain small footprint and minimal weight.
  • The board is especially designed for robots, UAVs and other space and volume constrained implementations.

Compatibility​

  • The Helios introduces a powerful, yet efficient and compact edge computing solution based on NVIDIA® Jetson modules:

    • NVIDIA® Jetson Nano™
    • NVIDIA® Jetson Orin™ NX
    • NVIDIA® Jetson Orin™ Nano
    • NVIDIA® Jetson Xavier™ NX
    • NVIDIA® Jetson TX2™ NX

Resources​

Mechanical​

  • Weight

    • Empty weight (w/o NVIDIA Jetson): 40 [g].
    • NVIDIA Jetson with heatsink: ~75 [g] (estimated, heatsink dependent).
    • Total Weight: ~115 [g] (estimated, heatsink dependent).

  • Dimensions

    • Board dimensions are defined in millimeters.
    • Mounting hole size is M3.

    helios-dimensions

Electrical​

General​

  • For each connector specification, the pinout orientation is determined by an arrow pointing to pin 1.

Specifications​

  • Input voltage: 12-48 [V]

  • Max power output:

    • NVIDIA Jetson supply: 50W Max (for 40W power mode)
    • 5V Peripherals: 30W Max
    • 3.3V Peripherals: 6.5W Max

  • GPIO / Communication logic level: 3.3 [V]

    • Warning: do not operate at any other logic voltage level.

  • Top View helios-top

  • Bottom View helios-bottom

NVIDIA Jetson Supply Voltage​

  • The Helios supports two supply voltages for the Jetson module:

    • 5V - for general use up to 25W with support for older modules. (Jetson Nano, Jetson Xavier)
    • 10V - for Orin series only, general use and enables working in SuperMode. (Jetson Nano and Jetson Xavier doesn't support this supply voltage)
    • For safety and cross-module compatibility, the boards are shipped with a 5 V default configuration unless otherwise requested.

    voltage-select

Electrical pinout​

  • Connector orientation

    • JST-GH cables shall be oriented according to the illustration helios-main-connector

    • Molex PicoBlade cables shall be oriented according to the illustration helios-fan-connector

FRC Button​

frc-button

  • To flash,back and restore the NVIDIA Jetson module, use the FRC button according to the following steps:
    • Power off the board
    • hold the FRC button
    • Power up the board
    • release the FRC button
    • The NVIDIA Jetson module is now in recovery mode

Fan​

fan-connector

  • Connector Definition

    TypePart NumberPart Name
    Board Connector530470410MOLEX PicoBlade Header
    Cable Connector510210400MOLEX PicoBlade Receptacle

  • Connector Pinout

    PinName
    1GND
    2Power Output (5 V)
    3FAN_TACH
    4FAN_PWM

RTC​

rtc-connector

  • Connector Definition

    TypePart NumberPart Name
    Board ConnectorBM02B-SRSS-TBJST SH 1.0 mm SMT Side-Entry Header
    Cable HousingSHR-02V-SJST SH 2-Circuit Receptacle Housing
    Crimp TerminalSSHL-002T-P0.2JST SH Crimp Contact (AWG 32–28)

  • Connector Pinout

    PinName
    1RTC Power Input
    2GND

Power​

GH-6P

  • Connector Definition

    TypePart NumberPart Name
    Board ConnectorSM06B-GHS-TBTJST-GH
    Cable ConnectorGHR-06V-SJST-GH

  • Connector Pinout

    PinName
    1VIN
    2VIN
    3VIN
    4GND
    5GND
    6GND

USB0 (OTG / HOST)​

GH-4P

  • Connector Definition

    TypePart NumberPart Name
    Board ConnectorSM04B-GHS-TBJST-GH
    Cable ConnectorGHR-04V-SJST-GH

  • Connector Pinout

    PinName
    1OTG 5V Power Input / 5V Power Output
    2USB0_D-
    3USB0_D+
    4GND

  • Connector Configuration

    • The USB0 connector mode is controlled using the USB0 Mode Selector jumper
    • Using a system service, it converts the USB role from device to host and vice versa.
    • On recovery mode this selector isn't required as it is configured for flashing.
    • The follow diagram shows the possible modes, the configuration method is implemented using a jumper that shorts the middle pin to either of the outer pins.
    • NOTE: when the sele

    USB-Mode-Selector-Diagram

USB1​

GH-8P

  • Connector Definition

    TypePart NumberPart Name
    Board ConnectorSM08B-GHS-TBJST-GH
    Cable ConnectorGHR-08V-SJST-GH

  • Connector Pinout

    PinName
    1Power Output (5 V)
    2USB2_D_N
    3USB2_D_P
    4USBSS_TX_N
    5USBSS_TX_P
    6USBSS_RX_N
    7USBSS_RX_P
    8GND

USB2​

GH-8P

  • Connector Definition

    TypePart NumberPart Name
    Board ConnectorSM04B-GHS-TBJST-GH
    Cable ConnectorGHR-04V-SJST-GH

  • Connector Pinout

    PinName
    1Power Output (5 V)
    2USB2_D_N
    3USB2_D_P
    8GND

Ethernet​

GH-8P

  • Connector Definition

    TypePart NumberPart Name
    Board ConnectorSM08B-GHS-TBJST-GH
    Cable ConnectorGHR-08V-SJST-GH

  • Connector Pinout

    PinName
    1ETH_MDI0_P
    2ETH_MDI0_N
    3ETH_MDI1_P
    4ETH_MDI1_N
    5ETH_MDI2_P
    6ETH_MDI2_N
    7ETH_MDI3_P
    8ETH_MDI3_N

CAN (not applicable when using Jetson Nano module) ​

GH-4P

  • Connector Definition

    TypePart NumberPart Name
    Board ConnectorSM04B-GHS-TBJST-GH
    Cable ConnectorGHR-04V-SJST-GH

  • Connector Pinout

    PinName
    1Power Output (5 V)
    2CAN_H (logic 3.3v)
    3CAN_L (logic 3.3v)
    4GND

UART0 / RS232​

GH-4P

  • Connector Definition

    TypePart NumberPart Name
    Board ConnectorSM04B-GHS-TBJST-GH
    Cable ConnectorGHR-04V-SJST-GH

  • Connector Pinout

    PinName
    1Power Output (5 V)
    2UART0_TXD (logic 3.3v) / RS232_TX
    3UART0_RXD (logic 3.3v) / RS232_RX
    4GND

  • Mode Selection

    • Selecting between UART and RS232 required solder jumpers to be set.
    • The diagram below shows the two possible modes:
      • Green - RS232
      • Purple - UART
        • NOTE: when choosing UART, the RS232 Switch shall be left open.

    UART-RS232-Config

UART1 / RS485​

GH-6P

  • Connector Definition

    TypePart NumberPart Name
    Board ConnectorSM06B-GHS-TBTJST-GH
    Cable ConnectorGHR-06V-SJST-GH

  • Connector Pinout

    PinName
    1Power Output (5 V)
    2UART1_TXD (logic 3.3v) / RS485_TX_P
    3UART1_RXD (logic 3.3v) / RS485_TX_N
    4RS485_RX_P
    5RS485_RX_N
    6GND

  • Mode Selection

    • Selecting between UART and RS485 required solder jumpers to be set.
    • The diagram below shows the two possible modes:
      • Green - RS485
      • Purple - UART
        • NOTE: when choosing UART, the RS485 Switch shall be left open.

    UART-RS485-Config

UART2 (Debug Port)​

GH-4P

  • Connector Definition

    TypePart NumberPart Name
    Board ConnectorSM04B-GHS-TBJST-GH
    Cable ConnectorGHR-04V-SJST-GH

  • Connector Pinout

    PinName
    1Power Output (5V)
    2UART2_TXD (logic 3.3v)
    3UART2_RXD (logic 3.3v)
    4GND

I2C0 / I2C1​

GH-6P

  • Connector Definition

    TypePart NumberPart Name
    Board ConnectorSM06B-GHS-TBTJST-GH
    Cable ConnectorGHR-06V-SJST-GH

  • Connector Pinout

    PinName
    1Power Output (5 V)
    2I2C0_SCL (logic 3.3v)
    3I2C0_SDA (logic 3.3v)
    4I2C1_SCL (logic 3.3v)
    5I2C1_SDA (logic 3.3v)
    6GND

SPI0 / SPI1​

GH-10P

  • Connector Definition

    TypePart NumberPart Name
    Board ConnectorSM10B-GHS-TBTJST-GH
    Cable ConnectorGHR-10V-SJST-GH

  • Connector Pinout

    PinName
    1Power Output (5 V)
    2SPI0_CS0 (logic 3.3v)
    3SPI0_MOSI (logic 3.3v)
    4SPI0_MISO (logic 3.3v)
    5SPI0_SCK (logic 3.3v)
    6SPI1_CS0 (logic 3.3v)
    7SPI1_MOSI (logic 3.3v)
    8SPI1_MISO (logic 3.3v)
    9SPI1_SCK (logic 3.3v)
    10GND

CAM0 (MIPI-CSI)​

CSI

  • Connector Definition

    TypePart NumberPart Name
    Board ConnectorAFA07-S15FCA-00 / 1-84952-5-
    Cable ConnectorFFC 15 PIN 1mm pitch-

  • Connector Pinout

    PinName
    1GND
    2CSI0_D0_N
    3CSI0_D0_P
    4GND
    5CSI0_D1_N
    6CSI0_D1_P
    7GND
    8CSI0_CLK_N
    9CSI0_CLK_P
    10GND
    11CAM0_PWDN
    12CAM0_MCLK
    13CAM0_SCL
    14CAM0_SDA
    153.3V

CAM1 (MIPI-CSI)​

CSI

  • Connector Definition

    TypePart NumberPart Name
    Board ConnectorAFA07-S15FCA-00 / 1-84952-5-
    Cable ConnectorFFC 15 PIN 1mm pitch-

  • Connector Pinout

    PinName
    1GND
    2CSI2_D0_N
    3CSI2_D0_P
    4GND
    5CSI2_D1_N
    6CSI2_D1_P
    7GND
    8CSI2_CLK_N
    9CSI2_CLK_P
    10GND
    11CAM1_PWDN
    12CAM1_MCLK
    13CAM1_SCL
    14CAM1_SDA
    153.3V

CAM2 (MIPI-CSI)​

CSI

  • Connector Definition

    TypePart NumberPart Name
    Board ConnectorAFA07-S15FCA-00 / 1-84952-5-
    Cable ConnectorFFC 15 PIN 1mm pitch-

  • Connector Pinout

    PinName
    1GND
    2CSI2_D0_N
    3CSI2_D0_P
    4GND
    5CSI2_D1_N
    6CSI2_D1_P
    7GND
    8CSI2_CLK_N
    9CSI2_CLK_P
    10GND
    11CAM1_PWDN
    12CAM1_MCLK
    13CAM1_SCL
    14CAM1_SDA
    153.3V

CAM3 (MIPI-CSI)​

CSI

  • Connector Definition

    TypePart NumberPart Name
    Board ConnectorAFA07-S15FCA-00 / 1-84952-5-
    Cable ConnectorFFC 15 PIN 1mm pitch-

  • Connector Pinout

    PinName
    1GND
    2CSI2_D0_N
    3CSI2_D0_P
    4GND
    5CSI2_D1_N
    6CSI2_D1_P
    7GND
    8CSI2_CLK_N
    9CSI2_CLK_P
    10GND
    11CAM1_PWDN
    12CAM1_MCLK
    13CAM1_SCL
    14CAM1_SDA
    153.3V

SD-Card​

  • General

    • The SD card slot is for storage only and doesn’t support flashing an operating system.

SIM-Card​

  • General
    • The SIM card slot is intended for use with the M.2 Key B socket when connecting an LTE modem.

M.2 Key M Slot​

  • General
    The M.2 Key M slot is designed primarily for NVMe SSDs on NVIDIA Jetson platforms. It supports high-speed storage expansion to handle the root file systems, large datasets, AI model deployment, and fast logging, etc. This makes it particularly useful for workloads that demand fast sequential read/write speeds.

  • Supported Form Factors

    • 2242 Modules.
    • 2230 Modules with a mechanical adapter to 2242.

  • Supported Modules

    • NVMe solid-state drives (2242 form factor).

  • Implemented Interfaces (per M.2 standard)

    • PCIe x4 (up to Gen 3 or Gen 4, depending on Jetson module).

M.2 Key A/E Slot​

  • General
    The M.2 Key A/E slot is used for wireless connectivity modules on Jetson platforms. It enables adding Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and sometimes AI accelerator cards in compact form factors.

  • Supported Form Factors

    • 2242 Modules.
    • 2230 Modules with a mechanical adapter to 2242.

  • Supported Modules

    • Wi-Fi + Bluetooth combo cards (e.g., Intel, Qualcomm).
    • AI accelerator modules.
    • GNSS (GPS) modules.

  • Implemented Interfaces (per M.2 standard)

    • PCIe x1 - Directly connected to the Jetson module.
    • USB 2.0 - Connected over an onboard USB hub.
    • I²C - Soldering the onboard jumpers routes I2C0 to this slot.
    • UART - Soldering the onboard jumpers routes UART0 to this slot.
    • I2S - I2S1 interface of the Jetson module.

M.2 Key B Slot​

  • General
    The M.2 Key B slot is primarily intended for cellular modems (LTE/5G) and storage modules on Jetson platforms. When using an LTE modem, the SIM card slot on the carrier board connects to this port. It can also support certain SSDs or expansion cards depending on routing.

  • Supported Form Factors

    • 2242 Modules.
    • 3042 Modules.
    • 2230 Modules with a mechanical adapter to 2242/3042.
    • 3030 Modules with a mechanical adapter to 2242/3042.

  • Supported Modules

    • 4G LTE or 5G modems.

  • Implemented Interfaces (per M.2 standard)

    • USB 3.0 - Connected over an onboard USB hub.
    • SIM-CARD - Connected to the onbaord SIM-CARD slot.

TPM (Trusted Platform Module) – SLB9670​

  • General
    The SLB9670 is an onboard Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 chip, compliant with the TCG standard.
    On Jetson platforms, it is connected via SPI1 with Chip Select 1 (CS1), allowing secure communication with the SoC.
    The TPM provides hardware-based cryptographic operations and secure storage of keys, helping establish a hardware root of trust for the system.

  • Interface (per TPM standard, via SPI)

    • SPI Bus (SPI1, CS1) – Main communication channel with the Jetson SoC.

  • Usage on Jetson

    • Secure Boot – Ensures only signed and verified firmware and OS images are loaded.
    • Key Storage – Stores cryptographic keys, certificates, and secrets in a tamper-resistant manner.
    • Measured Boot / Attestation – Enables integrity checking of the boot process, useful in edge AI devices where security and trustworthiness are critical.
    • Encryption Support – Works with OS-level full-disk encryption to protect user data.
    • Authentication – Enhances identity verification and trusted communications in industrial IoT and automotive applications.

Software​

General​

  • The software installation for the Helios board is simple and based on the same steps as the Dev Kit board.
  • NOTE: The SD card slot on the Helios is for storage only and doesn’t support flashing an operating system.

Environment Setup​

Flashing Jetpack OS on Jetson Nano​

Flashing Jetpack OS on Jetson Xavier NX​

  • Step 1: Install SDK Manager using the instructions in the following link: https://docs.nvidia.com/sdk-manager/install-with-sdkm-jetson/index.html
  • Step 2: Open the SDK Manager and select the desired Jetpack Version and target Jetson Model (the Jetson does not have to be connected) helios
  • Step 3: Select only Jetson Linux Image and click continue, wait for the process to finish. helios
  • Step 4: Download the Aerium Helios BSP for Xavier NX.
  • Step 5: Extract the shell script from the ZIP file and place it in the Linux_for_Tegra folder.
  • Step 6: Run: sudo chmod +x Aerium-Helios-BSP-Xavier-NX.sh
  • Step 7: Run: ./Aerium-Helios-BSP-Xavier-NX.sh
  • Step 8: Hold the FRC button and power up the Helios board.
  • Step 9: Hold the FRC button for additional 3 seconds after power up and release.
  • Step 10: Connect a USB cable to USB0 port.
  • Step 11: Flash the module using the instructions in the following link: https://docs.nvidia.com/sdk-manager/install-with-sdkm-jetson/index.html

Flashing Jetpack OS on Jetson Orin Nano / Jetson Orin NX​

  • Step 1: Install SDK Manager using the instructions in the following link: https://docs.nvidia.com/sdk-manager/install-with-sdkm-jetson/index.html
  • Step 2: Open the SDK Manager and select the desired Jetpack Version and target Jetson Model (the jetson doesnt have to be connected) helios
  • Step 3: Select only Jetson Linux Image and click continue, wait for the process to finish. helios
  • Step 4: Download the Aerium Helios BSP for Orin Nano / Orin NX.
  • Step 5: Extract the shell script from the ZIP file and place it in the Linux_for_Tegra folder.
  • Step 6: Run: sudo chmod +x Aerium-Helios-BSP-Orin-NX-Nano.sh
  • Step 7: Run: ./Aerium-Helios-BSP-Orin-NX-Nano.sh
  • Step 8: Hold the FRC button and power up the Helios board.
  • Step 9: Hold the FRC button for additional 3 seconds after power up and release.
  • Step 10: Connect a USB cable to USB0 port.
  • Step 11: Flash the module using the instructions in the following link: https://docs.nvidia.com/sdk-manager/install-with-sdkm-jetson/index.html

First Headless Boot​

  • Step 1: Wait for the Jetpack to complete initial Linux configuration (up to ~10 minutes).
  • Step 2: Connect a USB cable to USB0 port.
  • Step 3: open Terminal and write:
    • ssh nvidia@192.168.55.1
    • Note: in case different username was configured during the flashing process, replace “nvidia” with the correct username.
  • Step 4: When asked for password use the one configured in the flashing process.
  • Step 5: You should now have terminal access to the jetson.
  • Step 6 - Optional: Configure IP address and connect using ethernet cable.
  • Note: In case the steps above do not work, repeat the process using debug terminal on UART2