AMD Unveils Second-Generation Versal Chips to Accelerate AI Performance at the Edge

AMD Expands Versal SoC Portfolio with Gen 2 Devices for AI-Driven Applications

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has announced the expansion of its Versal adaptive system on chip (SoC) portfolio, introducing the Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 and Versal Prime Series Gen 2 devices. These programmable SoCs promise significant advancements in end-to-end acceleration for AI-enabled embedded systems, boasting improved performance, power efficiency, and scalability.

Unveiled at Embedded World in Nuremberg, Germany, the Versal Series Gen 2 devices mark a notable upgrade over the first generation. With new AI engines, these devices can deliver up to three times higher TOPs-per-watt. The integrated Arm CPUs are expected to provide up to 10 times more scalar compute power, establishing new performance benchmarks in the industry.

Salil Raje, Senior Vice President of AMD’s Adaptive and Embedded Computing Group, stated, "The demand for AI-enabled embedded applications is surging, necessitating solutions that integrate multiple compute engines on a single chip for optimal end-to-end acceleration within the constraints of embedded systems." He emphasized that these next-generation Versal devices leverage over 40 years of expertise in adaptive computing, offering high efficiency and scalable architecture suited for a range of applications.

The Versal Series Gen 2 is engineered to tackle challenges across diverse sectors, including automotive and industrial applications. Notably, Subaru Corporation has become one of the first adopters of the Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 devices, selecting AMD’s adaptive SoC technology for its advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) known as EyeSight. This choice underscores Subaru’s trust in the Versal AI Edge Gen 2’s ability to deliver necessary AI inference performance, ultra-low latency, and functional safety for cutting-edge vehicle features.

Satoshi Katahira, General Manager at Subaru, remarked, “Subaru has selected Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 to advance automotive AI performance and safety for future EyeSight-equipped vehicles. These devices are designed for the AI inference performance and safety capabilities required to implement innovative AI safety features for drivers.”

The Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 devices feature a balanced mix of processors specifically designed for preprocessing, AI inference, and postprocessing within AI-driven embedded systems. With a field programmable gate array (FPGA) for real-time preprocessing, vector processors for efficient AI inference, and Arm CPU cores for postprocessing, these devices provide a comprehensive single-chip solution, minimizing the need for complex multi-chip designs and facilitating the development of streamlined, efficient embedded AI systems.

Simultaneously, the Versal Prime Series Gen 2 devices cater to traditional, non-AI embedded systems, combining programmable logic with powerful embedded Arm CPUs. Offering up to 10 times more scalar compute than their predecessors, these devices are ideal for applications like UHD video streaming, industrial PCs, and flight computers.

The Versal Series Gen 2 portfolio presents scalable solutions from edge sensors to centralized computing for AI-driven systems, accommodating a wide variety of application requirements. To further streamline development, AMD provides tools such as the Vivado Design Suite and the Vitis Unified Software Platform, enabling developers to expedite the design cycle and achieve quicker time-to-market.

Early access documentation and evaluation kits for the Versal Series Gen 2 devices are currently available, with silicon samples expected in the first half of 2025 and full production slated for late 2025.