AMD has introduced the second generation of its Versal adaptive system-on-chip (SoC) portfolio with the launch of the new Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 and Versal Prime Series Gen 2 adaptive SoCs. These portfolios deliver solutions from edge sensors to centralized compute, offering increasing amounts of AI and adaptive compute to allow customers to select the right performance, power and area footprints for their applications.
(Source: AMD)
The first devices in the Versal Series Gen 2 portfolio build on the first generation with new AI engines, delivering up to 3× higher TOPs-per-watt than first generation Versal AI Edge Series devices, and support preprocessing, AI inference and postprocessing in one chip for AI-driven embedded systems.
AMD said the single-chip devices can eliminate the need to build multi-chip processing solutions, resulting in smaller, more efficient embedded AI systems with the potential for shorter time to market.
The Versal Prime Series Gen 2 devices feature high-performance integrated Arm CPUs. They are expected to offer up to 10× more scalar compute than the first-generation devices.
Delivering new capabilities and features in performance, power, functional safety and security, the new devices target high-performance, edge-optimized products in automotive, aerospace and defense, industrial, vision, healthcare, broadcast and pro AV markets.
Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2
The AMD Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 devices offer a new high-performance processing system of integrated Arm CPUs and next-generation AI engines for real-time preprocessing, AI inference and postprocessing power for safety-critical applications. The series offers up to 8× Arm Cortex-A78AE application processors (up to 200k DMIPs) and up to 10× Arm Cortex-R52 real-time processors. Interface support includes USB 3.2, DisplayPort 1.4, 10G Ethernet and PCIe Gen5.
The next-generation AI engines include a new AIE-ML v2 tile architecture, offering up to 3× TOPS/watt compared to AIE-ML 1. It also offers expanded data type options, including new FP8, FP16, MX6 and MX9 support.
Security and safety features were also improved. Designed to meet ASIL D/SIL 3 operating requirements and compliant with other safety and security standards, AMD added a new application security unit and DDR inline crypto for run-time security. A platform management controller manages secure boot and device-level services.
The AI chips also offer hardened image and video processing to save space and power. Key features include an integrated 4-core Arm Mali-G78AE GPU for real-time display/HMI, new image signal processor tiles (over 1 Gpix/s throughput per tile), enhanced video codec for HEVC and AVC encode/decode support as well as video processing pipeline for things like horizontal mirroring and tone mapping.
Versal Prime Series Gen 2
The Versal Prime Series Gen 2 provides end-to-end acceleration for non-AI-based embedded systems. These devices combine programmable logic for sensor processing with high-performance embedded Arm CPUs and can handle up to 10× more scalar compute compared to the first generation.
For complex workloads, the new adaptive SoCs offer over 200k DMIPs of compute with up to 8× Arm Cortex-A78AE processors and expanded caches of 1-MB L3 cache per two-core cluster and 4-MB shared LLC. It also features up to 10× Arm Cortex-R52 real-time processors and interface support includes USB 3.2, DisplayPort 1.4, 10G Ethernet and PCIe Gen5. AMD also added the application security unit and DDR inline crypto for run-time security, like the new AI edge chips.
Versal Prime Gen 2 devices target applications such as ultra-high-definition (UHD) video streaming and recording, industrial PCs and flight computers, thanks to new hard IP for high-throughput video processing, including up to 8K multi-channel workflows. The new IP includes hardened video encode and decode, DDR5/LPDDR5X memory controllers and an integrated Arm Mali-G78AE GPU.
Design and development tools include the AMD Vivado Design Suite tools for embedded hardware system developers, and the AMD Vitis Unified Software Platform, enabling embedded software, signal processing and AI design development at users’ preferred levels of abstraction, for embedded software developers. AMD said no FPGA experience is needed.
Subaru is one of the first OEMs to adopt the Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 devices. The company is deploying the devices in its next-generation advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) vision system, called EyeSight. The system enables advanced safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist and pre-collision braking.
Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 and Versal Prime Series Gen 2 early access documentation and first-generation Versal evaluation kits and design tools are available now. Silicon samples of the Versal Series Gen 2 are expected in the first half of 2025, followed by evaluation kits and system-on-modules samples in mid-2025 and production silicon in late 2025.
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