Adding an Intel Wifi card to the Jetson Nano can be a little scary first time through. Fortunately, it’s easy to do! Looky here:
Note: The connectors on the antennas are IPEX MHF4 not U.FL as stated in the video. I hope there isn’t too much confusion.
Background
The NVIDIA Jetson Nano Developer Kit does not include a wifi module. Fortunately there is a connector to easily add one! The connector is M.2 Key E, located underneath the Jetson Nano Module. (Note: The M.2 Key E slot is designed for mostly wireless communications. This connector does not work with NVME SSDs which are Slot M).
WiFi Card
One of the Wifi cards which has been validated against the Jetson Nano is the Intel Dual Band Wireless-Ac 8265 W/Bt (Intel 8265NGW) which supports the now expected 802.11ac Wifi Dual Band delivering up to 867 Mbps with a host of other nice features. Also, Bluetooth 4.2, natch.
Antennas
You will also need antennas for your WiFi radio. If you ever want to turn a radio engineer from meek and mild mannered into a raging homicidal maniac, start up their radio without antennas attached. It’s not good for the radio, and it’s not good for you either!
In previous Jetson kits, RP style antennas provide about 6 dbi of gain. Another popular style of antenna is a film antenna (like those used in laptop computers), which provides about 3.3 dbi of gain. In the video, we chose a film antenna.
In the video we use:
- 2 x 6dBi RP-SMA Dual Band 2.4GHz 5GHz Antennas
- Molex Antenna Wi-Fi 3.3dBi Gain 2483.5MHz/5850MHz Film Antenna (2042811100) (shown in the video)
- IPEX MHF4 Antenna WiFi Film Antenna (on Amazon)
Tools
You will need a couple of screw drivers. One is a Phillips Head #1, the other should be a Phillips Head #2. In the video, we use the trusty iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit.
Installation
First attach the antennas to the WiFi card. In the video, it looks easy. Don’t believe videos. It usually takes a little bit of persuasion to “convince” the two together. The connectors are tiny.
Next remove the Jetson Module from the carrier board by removing the two Phillips #1 screws at the front of the module. Then release the side latches located on either side of the module. These hold the Nano SODIMM module in place. The module will pop-up. Remove the module.
Remove module screws Release latches which hold the module in place.
Remove the #2 Phillips screw located in the center of the board. Insert the Wifi card into the M.2 connector at a slight angle, and seat the card. Then install the #2 retaining screw. Route the wires from the antennas appropriately. You can use Kapton tape (1/8″ to 1/4″) to help secure them:
Remove module screws Secure WiFi card 
Kapton tape (polyimide) to route and protect wires. (Courtesy NVIDIA https://bit.ly/2uPRbie)
Replace the Jetson Nano SODIMM module. Angle the card up slightly in relationship to the connector, and insert the card. Make sure that it seats correctly. Then press down on the card until retained by the latches. Then replace the #1 screws to secure the board. Installation complete!
You are now ready to use the Jetson. Plug everything in, and follow the usual wireless network selection process. See the video if you need more details.
In the video, we played around with a Sony Playstation PS4 controller. If you’re a maker, that’s a straightforward way to get easy input from buttons and variable input from the joysticks and triggers.
Conclusion
There’s a couple of ways to think about having Wifi access. One way is to think that it could have been added to the board inexpensively, and should be standard. While that’s certainly a valid view, not integrating the wireless and leaving a separate slot for expansion is a great alternative for people who want more flexibility in their choices.
Folks have different needs, some may want cell connectivity, for example. Plus, it makes the whole validation process a lot easier not having to include the radio (each country usually has their own standards), so that the Jetson Nano can roll out worldwide at a quicker rate.
32 Responses
I bought an intel 8260NGW and the nano refuses to boot after installing it. Yet I know this card to be good by testing it on my laptop. Any suggestions?
Oh my. I’ll tell you what I would do, hook up a serial console and see where it’s getting stuck. Short of that, remove the card, then try loading the linux-firmware, and then reinstall the card. and see if it’s a firmware issue, ie.
$ sudo apt-get install linux-firmware
You can ask on the Jetson Nano forum for help, but personally I would just return it and order something known to work. Thanks for reading!
Same issue, I have a intel 8260NGW, if I install the card, jetson won’t boot, no display at all.
It’s hard to tell what the issue is without looking at the serial console output. You can ask this question on the official NVIDIA Jetson forum where a large number of developers and NVIDIA engineers share their experience. The forum is here: https://devtalk.nvidia.com/default/board/371/jetson-nano/
Yes I’ve posted on the forum yesterday. Might be a known issue from nvidia engineer too.
In the meantime if anyone can help me how to get UART serial log that would be great, I don’t have much experience working on dev kit.
https://devtalk.nvidia.com/default/topic/1050167/jetson-nano/nano-won-t-boot-with-intel-8260ngw-mini-pcie-wifi-card-/post/5330153/?offset=6#5330330
Would the Intel Wireless-Ac 9260 also work with the nano?
I do not know, I haven’t tested it.Please ask this question on the official NVIDIA Jetson forum where a large number of developers and NVIDIA engineers share their experience. The forum is here: https://devtalk.nvidia.com/default/board/371/jetson-nano/
It does not, I have tested it and it does not work even if you install the drivers. You must use this card only at this time as it is the only one supported via Nvidia. maybe in the future other cards will work but don’t waste your time this one works well 🙂
Have you ever tried booting with 8260ngw? I have a problem that I can not boot.
The 8260ngw is not compatible with the Jetson Nano. Please consult the Jetson Nano Forum for help.
I have Intel 7265 and there is problems also with Intel 9260.
Here is potential fix: https://devtalk.nvidia.com/default/topic/1050449/jetson-nano/intel-9260-wifi-on-jetson-nano-jetbot/5/?offset=64#5342724
But I did not get my 7265 working.
Tip here is, if you are going to buy a WiFi, def only get the Intel 8265 as it seems other WiFi cards don’t work for Nano.
I did not have 8265 available and bought a different card hoping it will work also, but nope.
I cant seem to use bluetooth audio with this adapter. is anyone else able to?
I haven’t tried it. Please ask this question on the official NVIDIA Jetson forum where a large number of developers and NVIDIA engineers share their experience. The forum is here: https://devtalk.nvidia.com/default/board/371/jetson-nano/
Thanks for reading!
I detected an infinite loop 🙂
https://devtalk.nvidia.com/default/topic/1051329/bluetooth-audio-on-nano-/?offset=2
Hi all,
Is there a chance to get wpa_supplicant.conf running on my Jetson Nano?
I have so many WIFI configured via wpa-supplicant I do not know how to activate wpa-supplicant that it loads my wpa_supplicant.conf file.
If someone is able to shows me the way that would be awesome.
Ingmar
Please ask this question on the official NVIDIA Jetson forum where a large number of developers and NVIDIA engineers share their experience. The forum is here: https://devtalk.nvidia.com/default/board/371/jetson-nano/
I installed the 8265 and the same antennas that are in the video. It works… sorta
The nano sees many dropped packets coming in. TX seems to work pretty well. Well, at first I suspected my router was the issue, so tried another router, same thing
I test by…
on the nano, ping a device connected(wired) to the router. Ping times are in the 2-3ms range
Now on my host machine connected(wired) to the router, ping the nano. Times are often in the 100-300 ms range
ifconfig on the nano shows many dropped packets. Does yours have this issue? What are your ping times each way?
Jim hi, i want to control and small rc cr i mount and i wish to use my keyboard todo it, this keyboarders is Bl wit unifying dongle, any clue in libraries i can use to capture key strokes? without overriding buffet on python.
Can I buy this card and use it for xaiver? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SGDRG34/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I have not tried it, it will probably work. However, you can ask on the official NVIDIA Xavier board where a large number of developers and NVIDIA engineers share their experience. The forum is here: https://devtalk.nvidia.com/default/board/326/jetson-agx-xavier/
Hi All,
Do you have an idea on how much power does the module Intel Dual Band Wireless-Ac 8265 W/Bt consume since I do some video streaming and the board is shut down quickly. Knowing that I have ‘saying’ 5V-4A poer adapter but I’m not really sure if it is the good quality.
I don’t know how much power the 8265 uses. You should ask on an Intel support forum or on the Jetson Nano forum. Thanks for reading!
Hi, would it works with the Wi-Fi 6 AX200 ?
I do not have any experience with that device. Please ask this question on the official NVIDIA Jetson forum where a large number of developers and NVIDIA engineers share their experience. The forum is here: https://devtalk.nvidia.com/default/board/371/jetson-nano/
Hi!I want to use Jetson Nano as access point.I streaming from jetson nano to laptop,but high latency and low speed.I monitor it at laptop,don’t processing video using deep learning.So can you recommend for me a method to improve it,pleasse? My email (namtrungnguyen299@gmail.com).I’m looking forward replying.Thank you very much !
Please ask this question of the official NVIDIA Jetson Nano forum, where a large group of developers and NVIDIA engineers share their experience: https://forums.developer.nvidia.com/c/agx-autonomous-machines/jetson-embedded-systems/jetson-nano/76
Hi! Thanks for yet another great tutorial! I was wondering if you can help me out on an issue. I’ve been trying to send/receive data via AC 8265 adapter that I installed on my Jetson Nano. Now I need to get it to communicate with an ESP32 chip (two-way). But I haven’t been able to find resources. I know there is PyBluez that is popular, but I had trouble installing it on my Nano. Can you point me in the direction where I can find good examples on establishing such a communication? Thanks again!
I don’t know much about that particular device. Your best bet is to ask this question of the official NVIDIA Jetson Nano forum, where a large group of developers and NVIDIA engineers share their experience: https://forums.developer.nvidia.com/c/agx-autonomous-machines/jetson-embedded-systems/jetson-nano/76
Alright, thanks for the reply!
I have the same card and cables (i have not installed the antennas for now). It is installed and i can connect to a Wifi and the bluetooth module works fine.
My main installation of the adapter is to create a Wifi hotspot in order to connect to the jetson via SSH protocol.
I have followed the steps from this repo: https://github.com/surendrallam/TX2-as-Wireless-Access-Point-WAP
I have succesfully used this repo with a Jetson TX2 few months ago. Unfortunately this time i make the hotspot but it doesn’t work. I cannot see the network from other devices?
Has anyone tried the same thing and has something to advise me? I have tried playing with the parameters of the created Wifi hotspot network but nothing has worked so far.
Thank you in advance for your time and help.
Best.
Do I run Bluetooth speakers using this Wi-Fi & Bluetooth module?
You should be able to. Thanks for reading!