Neobotics Foundation Inc.
NEORACER DOCS
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THE COMPUTE STACK

The NeoRacer's Jetson is its Linux computer. It runs , all Python code, the camera, and any neural networks deployed.

THE JETSON

  • Sits on an open-source J401 carrier board.
  • Runs Ubuntu 22.04 (the NeoRacer image ships pre-configured).
  • Drives the camera pipeline at 640×480 / 60 fps.
  • Provides the AI accelerator for any TensorRT, ONNX, or PyTorch model you deploy.
  • Can act as a Wi-Fi access point for direct connection. For more information, see Networking.
FIG. A / JETSON PORTS
DC POWER JACK5.5 × 2.5 MMHDMIUSB 3.2 TYPE-A ×4GIGABITETHERNETUSB-C
The J401 carrier board fits an HDMI connector where the stock devkit has DisplayPort. The four Type-A ports are USB 3.2 at 10 Gb/s, the RJ45 port is gigabit Ethernet, and the USB-C port carries data only. For more information, look here.

The NeoRacer's base configuration is as follows:

  • The DC power jack is fed by the power module, which connects to the battery.
  • The HDMI port always has a connector in it: a monitor while you are working at the car, or the HDMI dummy plug the car ships with, which keeps a desktop rendering for remote desktop.
  • One USB 3.2 port connects to the OSCORE board and one to the camera.
  • The other two USB 3.2 ports are free. During setup, one of them is used for the keyboard and mouse.

THE MICROCONTROLLER STACK

The Jetson handles vision and planning, leaving exact timing to the OSCORE board. The MCU talks to the Jetson over USB through the driver node. The file system where you write and save code is on the Jetson.

FIG. B / HARDWARE CONNECTIONS
1Host Signal RoutingJetson Orin Nano SuperHost computer runningROS 2 and your codeRichbeam LiDARProvides environmentalperception dataRGB CameraProvides visualperception dataVehicle ControllerProvides chassis controlcommands and status feedbackUSB 3.2 Downstream PortPerception DataUSB 3.2 Downstream PortPerception DataUSB 3.2 Downstream PortControl CommandsStatus Feedback2Controller Signal RoutingVehicleControllerReal-time chassiscontrol MCUESCMotor drive andspeed controlSERVOSteering anglecontrolENC EncoderMotor speed and mileagedata acquisition2.4G RF ReceiverReceives remote controllercommands (RC mode)I/O (PWM Output)ControlI/O (PWM Output)ControlI/O (Pulse Input)Status FeedbackI/O (PPM Signal)Command InputHost / Core ControlSensors / PerceptionActuators / OutputFeedback / InputOne-wayTwo-way
How the signals route. The Jetson reads the LiDAR and camera over USB and holds a two-way USB link with the vehicle controller. The controller drives the ESC and servo, reads the encoder, and takes RC commands from the 2.4 GHz receiver.

POWERING OFF

Cutting power before the Jetson has shut down can corrupt its file system. Instead, we recommend following these steps:

  • Shut down any running notebook cells or host apps like RViz.
  • Shut down the Jetson from a terminal:
bash
sudo shutdown -h now
  • Once the Jetson's power indicator is out, switch the car off.