AMD Expands Adaptive SoC Lineup with Versal Series Gen 2, Empowering AI-Driven Embedded Systems

AMD has expanded its Versal adaptive system on chip (SoC) portfolio with the introduction of Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 and Versal Prime Series Gen 2 adaptive SoCs, offering end-to-end acceleration for AI-driven embedded systems.

Significant boost in performance compared to previous generation
Single-chip solution for efficient end-to-end acceleration
Scalability from edge sensors to centralized compute for AI-driven systems

AMD has made an exciting announcement today, revealing the expansion of its Versal adaptive system on chip (SoC) portfolio with the introduction of the Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 and Versal Prime Series Gen 2 adaptive SoCs. These new devices bring together preprocessing, AI inference, and postprocessing capabilities in a single chip, offering end-to-end acceleration for AI-driven embedded systems.

Building upon the success of the first generation, the Versal Series Gen 2 devices feature powerful new AI Engines that are expected to deliver up to 3x higher TOPs-per-watt compared to their predecessors. Additionally, the integrated ARM CPUs in these devices are anticipated to offer up to 10x more scalar compute performance. This significant boost in performance is a testament to AMD’s commitment to meeting the growing demand for AI-enabled embedded applications.

Salil Raje, Senior Vice President and General Manager of AMD’s Adaptive and Embedded Computing Group, highlighted the need for efficient single-chip solutions in embedded systems. He stated, “The demand for AI-enabled embedded applications is exploding and driving the need for single-chip solutions for the most efficient end-to-end acceleration within the power and area constraints of embedded systems.”

The Versal Series Gen 2 devices are designed to balance performance, power, area, functional safety, and security. They offer new capabilities and features that cater to various industries such as automotive, aerospace and defense, industrial, vision, healthcare, broadcast, and pro AV markets. These devices empower designers to create high-performance, edge-optimized products that meet the stringent requirements of these industries.

One notable application of the Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 devices is in Subaru’s next-generation advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) vision system, known as EyeSight. Subaru has chosen these devices to enhance the performance and safety of their future EyeSight-equipped vehicles. Satoshi Katahira, General Manager at Subaru Corporation, expressed his confidence in AMD’s technology, stating, “Versal AI Edge Gen 2 devices are designed to provide the AI inference performance, ultra-low Latency, and functional safety capabilities required to put AI-based safety features in the hands of drivers.”

The Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 devices incorporate FPGA programmable logic for real-time preprocessing, next-gen AI Engines for efficient AI inference, and Arm CPU cores for postprocessing tasks. This single-chip intelligence eliminates the need for multi-chip processing solutions, resulting in smaller and more efficient embedded AI systems with shorter time-to-market potential.

On the other hand, the Versal Prime Series Gen 2 devices cater to traditional, non-AI-based embedded systems. They combine programmable logic for sensor processing with high-performance embedded Arm CPUs. These devices offer up to 10x more scalar compute compared to the first generation, making them capable of handling sensor processing and complex scalar workloads effectively. With new hard IP for high-throughput video processing, such as 8K multi-channel workflows, the Versal Prime Gen 2 devices are ideal for applications like UHD video streaming and recording, industrial PCs, and flight computers.

The Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 and Versal Prime Series Gen 2 portfolios provide scalability from edge sensors to centralized compute for AI-driven systems. With a range of devices offering varying levels of AI and adaptive compute, customers can select the performance, power, and area footprints that best suit their application requirements.

To support designers, AMD offers the Vivado Design Suite tools and libraries that enhance productivity and streamline design cycles for embedded hardware system developers. Additionally, the Vitis Unified Software Platform enables embedded software, signal processing, and AI design development at users’ preferred levels of abstraction, without requiring FPGA experience.

Designers can access early access documentation, first-generation Versal evaluation kits, and design tools today. AMD plans to make Versal Series Gen 2 silicon samples available in the first half of 2025, followed by evaluation kits and System-on-Modules samples in mid-2025, with production silicon expected in late 2025. This timeline ensures that developers and designers have ample time to explore and leverage the capabilities of these advanced SoCs.

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Background Information

About AMD:

AMD, a large player in the semiconductor industry is known for its powerful processors and graphic solutions, AMD has consistently pushed the boundaries of performance, efficiency, and user experience. With a customer-centric approach, the company has cultivated a reputation for delivering high-performance solutions that cater to the needs of gamers, professionals, and general users. AMD's Ryzen series of processors have redefined the landscape of desktop and laptop computing, offering impressive multi-core performance and competitive pricing that has challenged the dominance of its competitors. Complementing its processor expertise, AMD's Radeon graphics cards have also earned accolades for their efficiency and exceptional graphical capabilities, making them a favored choice among gamers and content creators. The company's commitment to innovation and technology continues to shape the client computing landscape, providing users with powerful tools to fuel their digital endeavors.

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About ARM:

ARM, originally known as Acorn RISC Machine, is a British semiconductor and software design company that specializes in creating energy-efficient microprocessors, system-on-chip (SoC) designs, and related technologies. Founded in 1990, ARM has become a important player in the global semiconductor industry and is widely recognized for its contributions to mobile computing, embedded systems, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. ARM's microprocessor designs are based on the Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) architecture, which prioritizes simplicity and efficiency in instruction execution. This approach has enabled ARM to produce highly efficient and power-saving processors that are used in a vast array of devices, ranging from smartphones and tablets to IoT devices, smart TVs, and more. The company does not manufacture its own chips but licenses its processor designs and intellectual property to a wide range of manufacturers, including Qualcomm, Apple, Samsung, and NVIDIA, who then integrate ARM's technology into their own SoCs. This licensing model has contributed to ARM's widespread adoption and influence across various industries.

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Technology Explained

CPU: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of a computer, responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations. It is the most important component of a computer system, as it is responsible for controlling all other components. CPUs are used in a wide range of applications, from desktop computers to mobile devices, gaming consoles, and even supercomputers. CPUs are used to process data, execute instructions, and control the flow of information within a computer system. They are also used to control the input and output of data, as well as to store and retrieve data from memory. CPUs are essential for the functioning of any computer system, and their applications in the computer industry are vast.

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FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are a type of technology used in the computer industry. They are integrated circuits that can be programmed to perform specific tasks. FPGAs are used in a variety of applications, including digital signal processing, networking, and embedded systems. They are also used in the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms. FPGAs are advantageous because they can be reprogrammed to perform different tasks, allowing for greater flexibility and faster development times. Additionally, FPGAs are more energy efficient than traditional processors, making them ideal for applications that require low power consumption.

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Latency: Technology latency is the time it takes for a computer system to respond to a request. It is an important factor in the performance of computer systems, as it affects the speed and efficiency of data processing. In the computer industry, latency is a major factor in the performance of computer networks, storage systems, and other computer systems. Low latency is essential for applications that require fast response times, such as online gaming, streaming media, and real-time data processing. High latency can cause delays in data processing, resulting in slow response times and poor performance. To reduce latency, computer systems use various techniques such as caching, load balancing, and parallel processing. By reducing latency, computer systems can provide faster response times and improved performance.

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SoC: A System-on-Chip (SoC) is a highly integrated semiconductor device that encapsulates various electronic components, including processors, memory, input/output interfaces, and often specialized hardware components, all on a single chip. SoCs are designed to provide a complete computing system or subsystem within a single chip package, offering enhanced performance, power efficiency, and compactness. They are commonly used in a wide range of devices, from smartphones and tablets to embedded systems and IoT devices, streamlining hardware complexity and facilitating efficient integration of multiple functions onto a single chip.

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UHD: Ultra High Definition (UHD) is a technology that revolutionizes the quality of digital display with resolutions much higher than standard HD. UHD offers sharper images and higher resolutions in order to provide the user with better clarity and detail. UHD is widely used in gaming, media streaming, and HDTVs, as it offers superior viewing experience. In the computer industry, UHD is used to create high-end visuals for gaming, video conferencing, and streaming of 4K content. UHD also enables users to extend their desktop workspace and multitask better with multiple screens. With UHD, computer users can also enjoy an improved multimedia experience that provides more depth and vivid colors. UHD gives users more options for connecting their monitors and TV displays to their computers for enhanced gaming and streaming experience.