There are three processors available, targeting the mobile, home and automotive markets, all have safety standards enabled, added Siegel.
Launched at this week’s AutoSens in Brussels, Belgium (https://auto-sens.com/autosens-brussels/) the AI processor for deep neural network (DNN) offers 50% higher performance than the previous generation, together with 40% lower memory bandwidth and 30% lower power consumption.
It is designed to process neural networks for segmentation, detection and classification of objects within videos and images in edge devices. The NPS1000, NPS2000 and NPS4000, are pre-configured with 1000, 2000 and 4000 8-bit MACs, respectively, per cycle. The NPS4000 offers up to 12.5TOPS at 1/5GHz per cycle. It can be scaled to reach up to 100 TOPS.
Enhancements for this second generation processor family include support for multi-level memory systems to reduce transfers with external SDRAM. There are also multiple weight compression options and heterogeneous scalability that enables combinations of CEVA-XM6 vision DSPs, NeuPro-S cores and custom AI engines in one, unified architecture.
The programmable CEVA-XM6 vision DSP inthe NeuPro-S architecture provides simultaneous processing of imaging, computer vision and general DSP workloads as well as AI runtime processing. It can be used with the company’s imaging and vision software and libraries, including the CEVA-SLAM software development kit for 3D mapping, CEVA-CV and CEVA-VX software libraries for computer vision development, and wide-angle imaging software suite.
For automotive applications, the processor enables IATF 16949 for quality assurance and ISO 26262 and A-Spice for automotive standards.
The company also unveiled details of a CDNN-Invite API, believed to be the industry’s first DNN compiler technology that supports heterogeneous co-processing of NeuPro-S cores and custom neural network engines, in a unified network optimising run-time firmware.
Combined, the AI processor and API can be used for vision systems, such as autonomous vehicles and surveillance cameras, AR/VR and robotics in a smaller form factor than GPUs and dedicated to AI workloads, explained Siegel.
NeuPro-S is available now; CDNN-Invite API is available for lead customers today and for general licensing by the end of 2019.
