AMD Unveils Ryzen Embedded 8000 CPUs, Empowering Industrial AI with Integrated NPUs

AMD's new Ryzen Embedded 8000 Series processors are designed for industrial AI applications, combining NPUs based on the AMD XDNA architecture with traditional CPU and GPU elements for tasks like machine vision, robotics, and industrial automation.

Powerful AI performance with up to 39 TOPS of processing power
Next-generation "Zen 4" 4 nm core CPU architecture for improved performance-per-watt
Open ecosystem with support for popular AI frameworks and extended product availability

AMD has launched its latest Ryzen Embedded 8000 Series processors, which integrate NPUs based on the AMD XDNA architecture with traditional CPU and GPU elements. These processors are specifically designed for industrial AI applications, offering versatility and adaptability for tasks such as machine vision, robotics, and industrial automation.

In machine vision applications, AI is used to enhance quality control and inspection processes. It also enables robots to make real-time, route-planning decisions and adapt to dynamic environments. In industrial automation, AI processing allows intelligent edge devices to perform complex analysis and decision-making without relying on cloud connectivity. This enables real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and autonomous control of industrial processes, ultimately improving operational efficiency and reducing downtime.

Traditionally, AMD embedded products have utilized AMD Radeon graphics processing coupled with AMD CPUs for AI and workload acceleration. However, the new Ryzen Embedded 8000 Series processors leverage the XDNA architecture and its powerful AI engines to enhance AI performance. With these resources, the processors can achieve up to 39 TOPS (trillion operations per second) of processing power, with the NPU alone contributing up to 16 TOPS. This makes them well-suited for demanding industrial computing workloads.

The increased TOPS is made possible by the combination of various AMD architectures, including AMD XDNA in the NPU, AMD RDNA 3 in the GPU, and “Zen 4” in the CPU. These components work together to optimize overall system performance. The Ryzen Embedded 8000 Series processors feature the next-generation “Zen 4” 4 nm core CPU architecture, providing powerful x86 CPU compute with up to 8 cores (16 threads). The advancements in process node technology have improved performance-per-watt metrics compared to previous generation Ryzen Embedded devices, making AI processing possible within a comparable power envelope. The processors support scalable thermal design power (TDP) profiles ranging from 15 W to 54 W, delivering significant improvements in industrial compute efficiency for AI applications.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8000 Series processors also offer advanced capabilities and an open ecosystem. With AMD RDNA 3, a single processor can power up to four independent displays at 4K resolution, leveraging hardware decoding and encoding for popular video codecs. The processors provide 20 lanes of on-chip PCIe Gen 4, offering flexibility for specialized accelerators and other add-ons. They also feature dual-channel memory support (DDR5 up to 5600MT/s) with error-correcting code (ECC), ensuring efficient and reliable memory transfer.

To further support developers, AMD provides an open, royalty-free software suite of libraries and inferencing models, along with a software development kit (SDK) for optimized development and deployment. The solution currently supports the Windows operating system and popular AI frameworks such as PyTorch and TensorFlow, with pretrained models available on HuggingFace.

AMD is collaborating with embedded original design manufacturers (ODMs) like Advantech, ASRock, and iBASE to build a diverse ecosystem of platforms supporting the Ryzen Embedded 8000 Series processors. Additionally, the Ryzen Embedded Series processors offer extended product availability to support long-term design lifecycles.

The introduction of the AMD XDNA architecture and its powerful AI engines in select Ryzen Embedded products marks an exciting new era for AI applications in the embedded sector.

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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.

About ASRock: ASRock is a important player in the computer hardware industry, particularly known for its wide range of innovative computer products. The company specializes in manufacturing motherboards, graphics cards, and mini-PCs that cater to diverse user needs, from gaming enthusiasts to professional content creators. ASRock's commitment to quality and technology has earned it a solid reputation among PC builders and users alike. With a focus on delivering high-performance components and reliable solutions, ASRock continues to contribute significantly to the advancement of computing technology.

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.

DDR5: DDR5 (Double Data Rate 5) is the next generation of memory technology for the computer industry. It is a modern day improvement on earlier DDR technologies, with faster speeds, greater bandwidth and higher capacities. DDR5 enables higher resolution, seamless gaming experiences and faster data transfer rates, making it an ideal choice for high-performance computing and 4K gaming. With its greater RAM compatibility, DDR5 provides faster buffering times and raised clock speeds, giving users an improved overall work system. DDR5 is also optimized for multi-tasking, allowing users to multitask without experiencing a significant drop in performance, increasing the productivity of digital tasks. As an ever-evolving technology, DDR5 is paving the way for the computer industry into a new and powerful era.

GPU: GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit and is a specialized type of processor designed to handle graphics-intensive tasks. It is used in the computer industry to render images, videos, and 3D graphics. GPUs are used in gaming consoles, PCs, and mobile devices to provide a smooth and immersive gaming experience. They are also used in the medical field to create 3D models of organs and tissues, and in the automotive industry to create virtual prototypes of cars. GPUs are also used in the field of artificial intelligence to process large amounts of data and create complex models. GPUs are becoming increasingly important in the computer industry as they are able to process large amounts of data quickly and efficiently.

NPU: NPU, or Neural Processing Unit, is a type of specialized processor that is designed to handle complex artificial intelligence tasks. It is inspired by the structure and function of the human brain, with the ability to process and analyze large amounts of data simultaneously. In the computer industry, NPU technology is being used in various applications such as speech recognition, image and video processing, and natural language processing. This allows computers to perform tasks that were previously only possible for humans, making them more efficient and intelligent. NPU technology is also being integrated into smartphones, self-driving cars, and other devices, making them smarter and more responsive to user needs. With the increasing demand for AI-driven technology, the use of NPU is expected to grow and revolutionize the way we interact with computers in the future.

PCIe: PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for connecting components such as graphics cards, sound cards, and network cards to a motherboard. It is the most widely used interface in the computer industry today, and is used in both desktop and laptop computers. PCIe is capable of providing up to 16 times the bandwidth of the older PCI standard, allowing for faster data transfer speeds and improved performance. It is also used in a variety of other applications, such as storage, networking, and communications. PCIe is an essential component of modern computing, and its applications are only expected to grow in the future.

Radeon: AMD Radeon, a product line by Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), consists of graphics processing units (GPUs) recognized for their strong performance in gaming, content creation, and professional applications. Powered by innovative technologies like the RDNA architecture, Radeon GPUs deliver efficient and powerful graphics processing. The brand also supports features like FreeSync, enhancing visual fluidity and reducing screen tearing during gaming. Moreover, AMD Radeon GPUs embrace real-time ray tracing for heightened realism in lighting and reflections. With a balance between price and performance, Radeon competes with NVIDIA's GeForce graphics cards and remains a popular choice for a wide range of users.

RDNA: RDNA (Radeon DNA) is a graphics architecture developed by Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) for its Radeon series of graphics cards. It's designed to deliver improved performance, power efficiency, and advanced features for gaming and graphics-intensive applications. RDNA introduces a new compute unit design that enhances the efficiency of processing tasks, resulting in better performance per watt compared to its predecessor, GCN (Graphics Core Next). RDNA also introduces hardware-based ray tracing capabilities, allowing for more realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections in supported games. With its scalable design, RDNA architecture addresses the demands of modern gaming while aiming to provide a more immersive and visually impressive experience.