AMD introduces Versal RF Series Adaptive SoCs Featuring Direct RF-Sampling Integration

AMD introduces the Future with the Versal RF Series

Today, AMD is stirring up the tech world with the launch of its latest innovation: the Versal RF Series. This new addition to the AMD Versal adaptive system-on-chip (SoC) portfolio is not just another chip; it’s a game-changer that promises to deliver the highest compute performance in a single-chip device. Imagine having integrated direct radio frequency (RF)-sampling data converters right at your fingertips!

This series is designed for precision and performance, boasting up to 80 TOPS of digital signal processing (DSP) power—all while being optimized for size, weight, and power (SWaP). It’s targeting some pretty demanding applications in the aerospace and defense (A&D) sector, as well as in test and measurement (T&M) markets. If you’ve been keeping an eye on AMD’s journey, you’ll recognize that this is a significant step forward, building on the success of their existing Zynq RFSoC devices.

What Makes the Versal RF Series Stand Out?

So, what’s the big deal about the Versal RF Series? For starters, it’s the fifth generation of AMD’s direct RF devices, and it’s the first in the industry to combine high-resolution RF data converters with hard IP DSP compute blocks and AI Engines—all packed into one integrated chip. Think about that for a moment: all that power and functionality in a single device. It’s like having a high-tech Swiss Army knife for RF systems.

Salil Raje, AMD’s senior vice president and general manager for the Adaptive and Embedded Computing Group, put it succinctly: “Today’s advanced RF systems require high resolution and high sample-rate RF data converters that use massive amounts of DSP compute resources.” With the Versal RF Series, AMD is stepping up to the plate, offering a solution that meets these demands head-on.

Precision Meets Performance

One of the standout features of the Versal RF Series is its ability to enable precise, wideband-spectrum observability. Thanks to its high-resolution, multi-channel RF converters and low-Latency processing, this chip can capture and analyze wideband-spectrum data simultaneously.

Imagine using this technology in mission-critical A&D applications like phased array radar or military communications. The integrated high-resolution (14-bit with calibration) RF analog-to-digital converters (RF-ADCs) can handle up to 32 gigasamples per second (GSPS) and operate at frequencies up to 18 GHz. This means incredibly accurate signal characterization and analysis across a broad spectrum.

For T&M applications, think high-speed oscilloscopes and wideband spectrum analyzers. The Versal RF Series can handle multiple RF channels up to the Ku band, enabling advanced signal processing functions that were previously cumbersome or impossible.

Powerful DSP Compute Capabilities

When it comes to DSP compute, the Versal RF Series is a powerhouse. It delivers up to 80 TOPS of DSP compute, which is a staggering 19 times more than the current generation AMD Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC device in channelizer mode. This leap in performance is crucial for applications that require rapid data processing and adaptability to changing workloads.

What’s even more impressive is the integration of dedicated hard IP blocks for select DSP functions, including a 4 GSPS FFT/iFFT and channelizer. This not only boosts performance but also reduces dynamic power consumption by up to 80% compared to traditional soft logic implementations.

Optimized for Size, Weight, and Power

In today’s tech landscape, SWaP optimization is key, especially for advanced signal processing applications. The Versal RF Series combines direct RF-sampling data converters, DSP hard IP blocks, AI Engines, and adaptive SoC logic into a single monolithic device. This means you get a flexible solution that doesn’t compromise on performance while keeping size and weight in check.

The power and area savings achieved through dedicated IP blocks allow for more compute capabilities in a compact form factor. In fact, the total DSP compute from the top-tier Versal RF Series devices would typically require multiple FPGAs to achieve the same level of performance.

What’s Next for the Versal RF Series?

If you’re excited about the possibilities, you’ll be glad to know that development tools for the Versal RF Series are available now. Silicon samples and evaluation kits are expected to roll out in Q4 2025, with production shipments kicking off in the first half of 2027.

In a world where technology is constantly evolving, AMD’s Versal RF Series is a bold step into the future of RF systems and test equipment. It’s a testament to what’s possible when innovation meets the pressing demands of today’s advanced applications. Are you ready to see how this technology transforms the landscape?

Background Information

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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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Technology Explained

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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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