AMD unveils Embedded+ architecture

This new solution offers scalable and energy-efficient options, expediting the market entry for original design manufacturer (ODM) partners.

AMD has validated the Embedded+ integrated compute platform, designed to assist ODM customers in minimising qualification and construction periods, thereby enabling a swifter market introduction without the need for extra hardware and research and development expenditures. The Embedded+ architecture facilitates a unified software platform for ODM integration, supporting the creation of designs that are power-efficient, compact, and durable. These designs are particularly suited for use in the medical, industrial, and automotive sectors.

Chetan Khona, AMD's Senior Director of Industrial, Vision, Healthcare, and Sciences Markets, explained the critical need for immediate data processing in automated systems: “In automated systems, sensor data has diminishing value with time and must operate on the freshest information possible to enable the lowest latency, deterministic response,” he noted. “In industrial and medical applications, many decisions need to happen in milliseconds. Embedded+ maximises the value of partner and customer data, with energy efficiency and performant computing that enables them to focus in turn on addressing their customer and market needs.”

Embedded+ uniquely integrates AMD's x86 computing capabilities with integrated graphics and programmable hardware essential for AI inferencing and sensor fusion tasks. The architecture shines in deterministic, low-latency processing, enhanced by AI Engines for efficient high-performance inferencing. Ryzen Embedded processors bring to the table high-performance ‘Zen’ cores and Radeon graphics, delivering 4K multimedia experiences and built-in video codec support for 4K H.264/H.265 encode and decode capabilities.

This architecture enables the efficient performance of critical tasks by integrating real-time adaptive computing with flexible I/O, AI Engines for inferencing, and AMD Radeon graphics, creating a solution that harnesses the strengths of each technology.

Sapphire Technology has introduced the first ODM solution based on the Embedded+ architecture, marking a significant milestone. The Sapphire Edge+ VPR-4616-MB, a low-power Mini-ITX motherboard, exemplifies the full capabilities of Embedded+ with as little as 30W power consumption. It utilises the Ryzen Embedded R2314 processor and Versal AI Edge VE2302 Adaptive SoC, available as a comprehensive system including memory, storage, power supply, and chassis.

Adrian Thompson, Sapphire Technology's Senior Vice President of Global Marketing, highlighted the benefits of this architecture: “By working with a compute architecture that is validated and reliable, we’re able to focus our resources to bolster other aspects of our products, shortening time to market and reducing R&D costs,” he stated. “Embedded+ is an excellent, streamlined platform for building solutions with leading performance and features.”

The Embedded+ qualified VPR-4616-MB motherboard from Sapphire Technology is now available for immediate purchase by customers, signifying a pivotal step forward in the market for embedded solutions.