Advanced Micro Devices announced today the expansion of its Versal adaptive system on chip (SoC) portfolio with the Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 and Versal Prime Series Gen 2 devices.
These programmable SoCs represent a leap forward in end-to-end acceleration for AI-driven embedded systems, offering better performance, power efficiency, and scalability, AMD said.
The Versal Series Gen 2 devices, unveiled at Embedded World in Nuremberg, Germany, mark an advance over their predecessors, with new AI engines that are expected to deliver up to three times higher TOPs-per-watt.
Additionally, the new integrated Arm CPUs are projected to offer up to 10 times more scalar compute compared to the first generation Versal devices, setting new standards for performance in the industry.
Salil Raje, senior vice president of AMD's Adaptive and Embedded Computing Group, said in a statement, "The demand for AI-enabled embedded applications is exploding and driving the need for solutions that bring together multiple compute engines on a single chip for the most efficient end-to-end acceleration within the power and area constraints of embedded systems."
He added, "Backed by over 40 years of adaptive computing leadership in high-security, high-reliability, long-lifecycle, and safety-critical applications, these latest generation Versal devices offer high compute efficiency and performance on a single architecture that scales from the low-end to high-end."
The Versal Series Gen 2 devices are designed to address these challenges, providing high compute efficiency and performance across a range of applications, from automotive to industrial.
AMD's Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 and Versal Prime Series Gen 2 devices.
Subaru Corporation, one of the first customers to announce plans to deploy Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 devices, has selected AMD's adaptive SoC technology to power its next-generation advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) vision system, known as EyeSight.
The decision reflects Subaru's confidence in the capabilities of the Versal AI Edge Gen 2 devices to deliver AI inference performance, ultra-low latency, and functional safety required for cutting-edge AI-based safety features in vehicles.
“Subaru has selected Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 to deliver the next generation of automotive AI performance and safety for future EyeSight-equipped vehicles,” said Satoshi Katahira, general manager, Advanced Integration System Department & ADAS Development Department, Engineering Division at Subaru, in a statement. “Versal AI Edge Gen 2 devices are designed to provide the AI inference performance, ultra-low latency, and functional safety capabilities required to put cutting-edge AI-based safety features in the hands of drivers.”
The Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 devices incorporate an optimal mix of processors tailored to the preprocessing, AI inference, and postprocessing phases of AI-driven embedded system acceleration.
With a field programmable gate array (FPGA) logic fabric for real-time preprocessing, an array of vector processors for efficient AI inference, and Arm CPU cores for postprocessing, these devices offer a comprehensive solution on a single chip, eliminating the need for multi-chip processing solutions and enabling smaller, more efficient embedded AI systems.
Meanwhile, the Versal Prime Series Gen 2 devices cater to traditional, non-AI-based embedded systems, combining programmable logic with high-performance embedded Arm CPUs. With up to 10 times more scalar compute compared to the first generation, these devices are ideally suited for applications such as UHD video streaming, industrial PCs, and flight computers.
The Versal Series Gen 2 portfolios provide scalability from edge sensors to centralized compute for AI-driven systems, offering a range of devices to meet diverse application requirements. AMD also offers streamlined design cycles with tools like the Vivado Design Suite and the Vitis Unified Software Platform, enabling developers to accelerate their development process and achieve faster time-to-market.
Early access documentation and evaluation kits for the Versal Series Gen 2 devices are available now, with silicon samples expected in the first half of 2025 and production silicon slated for late 2025.