In a move poised to revolutionize artificial intelligence (AI) at the edge, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) has unveiled its latest adaptive system-on-chip (SoC) offerings: the Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 and Versal Prime Series Gen 2. These groundbreaking systems are set to propel the adoption of AI-enabled applications across a wide range of embedded systems, from robotics and autonomous vehicles to smart cities and digital homes.

Addressing the surging demand for edge AI, AMD's new Versal Gen 2 SoCs bring together multiple compute engines on a single chip, delivering unparalleled end-to-end acceleration within the stringent power and area constraints of embedded systems. "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," stated Salil Raje, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Adaptive and Embedded Computing Group at AMD.

With over four decades of adaptive computing leadership in high-security, high-reliability, long-lifecycle, and safety-critical applications, AMD's Versal devices offer unparalleled compute efficiency and performance on a single architecture that scales from low-end to high-end applications.

Accelerated AI in Three Phases

The Versal Gen 2 systems are designed to accelerate AI across three critical phases: preprocessing, AI inference, and postprocessing. This comprehensive approach ensures optimal performance and efficiency for the complex processing needs of real-world embedded systems.

In the preprocessing phase, the Versal Gen 2 SoCs leverage FPGA (field-programmable gate array) logic fabric for real-time preprocessing, enabling flexible connections to a wide range of sensors and implementing high-throughput, low-latency data-processing pipelines.

For AI inference, AMD has integrated an array of next-generation AI Engines, providing efficient vector processing capabilities tailored for accelerated inference tasks.

Lastly, the postprocessing phase leverages powerful Arm CPU cores, empowering complex decision-making and control for safety-critical applications.

By consolidating these three phases on a single device, AMD eliminates the need for multi-chip processing solutions, resulting in smaller, more efficient embedded AI systems with the potential for shorter time-to-market cycles.

Maximizing Power and Compute Efficiency

AMD's latest Versal SoCs offer up to 10 times more scalar compute power compared to their first-generation counterparts, enabling more efficient handling of sensor processing and complex scalar workloads. The Versal Prime Gen 2 devices, in particular, feature new hardened intellectual property (IP) for high-throughput video processing, including support for up to 8K multi-channel workflows, making them ideal for applications such as ultra-high-definition (UHD) video streaming, industrial PCs, and flight computers.

Additionally, the new SoCs boast advanced AI Engines that AMD claims will deliver three times the TOPS (trillions of operations per second) per watt compared to the first-generation Versal AI Edge Series devices. "Balancing performance, power, [and] area, together with advanced functional safety and security, Versal Series Gen 2 devices deliver new capabilities and features," said AMD, "enabling the design of high-performance, edge-optimized products for the automotive, aerospace and defense, industrial, vision, healthcare, broadcast, and pro AV [autonomous vehicle] markets."

Powering Subaru's Next-Gen ADAS Vision System

The prowess of AMD's adaptive SoC technology is already being leveraged by industry leaders, such as Subaru Corporation, which is using Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 to power the next generation of its EyeSight advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS). EyeSight, integrated into certain Subaru vehicle models, enables advanced safety features including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and pre-collision braking.

"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 of the Advanced Integration System Department and ADAS Development Department, Engineering Division, at Subaru. "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."

Streamlining Development with Vivado and Vitis

To streamline hardware design cycles and boost productivity, AMD offers the Vivado Design Suite tools and libraries, promising fast compile times and enhanced-quality results. Furthermore, the Vitis Unified Software Platform enables embedded software, signal processing, and AI design development at users' preferred levels of abstraction, with no FPGA experience required.

Earlier this year, AMD released the Embedded+ architecture for accelerated edge AI, as well as the Spartan UltraScale+ FPGA family for edge processing, further solidifying its commitment to driving innovation at the edge.

As the world eagerly awaits the arrival of AMD's Versal Series Gen 2 SoCs, with silicon samples expected in the first half of 2025, followed by evaluation kits, system-on-modules, and production silicon later that year, the future of edge AI acceleration has never looked brighter. AMD's relentless pursuit of cutting-edge technology is poised to unlock new realms of possibility, empowering industries to harness the full potential of AI at the edge and accelerating the journey towards a more intelligent, connected world.