Recently, artificial intelligence is being applied to various embedded applications. Embedded environments must meet demanding operating conditions, including temperature ranges, limited specifications and form factors, and security and reliability. Therefore, single-chip embedded AI chips have been introduced to the market, enabling the introduction of AI capabilities into embedded systems and meeting broad market needs.

AMD unveiled its second-generation Versal Adaptive SoC series, an intelligent single-chip for embedded systems, in a pre-event media briefing.

The second-generation Versal adaptive SoC series, unveiled on the 9th, integrates three processors into a single chip. It is equipped with three chips: △programmable logic △vector processing △high-performance embedded CPU.

Each is responsible for preprocessing (sensor processing and fusion, data conditioning), AI inference (cognition, analysis, situational awareness), and postprocessing (decision-making, control, feedback).

Challenges in multi-chip solutions include: △increased power requirements and delivery complexity; △increased board area and system size; △increased additional memory requirements; △increased latency in chip-to-chip communication; △increased safety vulnerabilities and failure factors due to increased chips; △difficulty in component life management; and △difficulty in board design.

AMD responded to market demands by unveiling two types of its 2nd generation Versal adaptive SoC series: △Versal AI Edge 2nd generation for AI-based embedded systems and △Versal Prime 2nd generation for classic embedded systems. The biggest difference between the two products is the presence or absence of an AI engine.

The second-generation Versal adaptive SoC specifications are described as providing four times higher performance in L2+·L3 ADAS compared to the previous generation, a 65% smaller board area for edge AI applications in smart cities, and twice faster video processing in video streaming.

In addition, it is introduced as being applicable to a wide range of markets, including automotive, robotics, industrial IoT, healthcare, machine vision, aerospace, and defense.

The second-generation Versal adaptive SoC series is currently in early access documentation. The roadmap is planned to begin with prototypes distributed in the first half of 2024, with production shipments starting in the second half.