AMD just released its new embedded line that includes the server-based EPYC Embedded and the APU Ryzen Embedded (Fig. 1). The EPYC Embedded 3000 has up to 16 Zen cores, while the Ryzen Embedded is available with up to four cores that can run a pair of threads. This pairs up with AMD’s VEGA GPU. It’s able to drive up to four 4K displays, which suits it for use in a variety of embedded multimedia applications from medical to gaming.
1. AMD’s Ryzen Embedded V1000 APU combines multiple Zen CPU cores with multiple VEGA GPU cores to drive up to four 4K displays.
The company worked with its partners to deliver boards, systems, and modules with the Ryzen Embedded V1000 APUs for this year’s Embedded World conference. Presented below are a few of the platforms we saw at the show.
Axiomtek’s GMB-140 Mini-ITX motherboard (Fig. 2) runs a V1000 SoC with 11 graphic compute units (GCUs). The motherboard has a x16 PCI Express socket and Mini-PCIe socket. The back panel exposes the dual Gigabit Ethernet ports as well as audio, four video ports, and USB ports. The motherboard can handle up to 32 GB of DDR4 DRAM.
2. The GMB-140 Mini-ITX motherboard from Axiomtek links the V1000 SoC to a x16 PCI Express socket and a Mini-PCIe socket. It exposes the dual Gigabit Ethernet ports and handles up to 32 GB of DDR4 DRAM.
The DPX-E140 (Fig. 3) from Advantech is an all-in-one, cabinet-ready casino gaming platform. It’s designed to handle four 4K DisplayPort 1.4 DP++ displays for advanced casino slot machines. The system supports 2.5-in. SATA SSD/HDD, SATA DOM, C-Fast, and USB drives. It comes in passive-cooled configurations for SoCs up to 25 W, and fan-cooled configurations for 54-W chips. The system uses a single 12-V dc or ATX power-supply connection. It also has ports for CCTALK, SAS, GPIO, I2C, meter connect, ID003, RS-485, and 5.1 surround-sound.
3. Advantech’s DPX-E140 targets casino gaming. Passive cooling works with 25-W SoCs; active cooling is available for the 54-W SoCs.
AOpen’s DE6340 media player is designed for large-screen TVs. It sports an AMD Ryzen Embedded V1807B with four HDMI 2.0 and UltraHD (4K2K) support (Fig. 4). The system takes advantage of the Ryzen’s HEVC/H.265 and VP9 high-definition playback support. AOpen bundles the system with AOpen’s intelligent control unit (AiCU) technology for monitoring and management of remote devices. This energy-efficient solution is designed for 24/7 operation.
4. AOpen’s DE6340 targets media-player applications, taking advantage of AMD’s V1807B Ryzen Embedded SoC with four 4K display outputs.
The Congatec Conga-TR4 is a COM Express Type 6 module that supports the family of Ryzen Embedded V1000 processors (Fig. 5). It targets applications such as medical imaging, professional broadcasting, infotainment, digital signage, and video surveillance. It can also be used in applications where SWAP-C is critical, such as UAVs. The module supports up to 32 GB of DDR4 memory with optional ECC support. It has a x8 PCI Express Graphics (PEG) interface and PCI Gen 3 interfaces. It exposes one Gigabyte Ethernet interface along with three USB 3.1 Gen 2, one USB 3.1 Gen 1, and eight USB 2.0 interfaces. There’s a pair of SATA interfaces along with SD, SPI, LPC, I²C, and two serial ports. The module also has high-definition audio support.
5. Congatec’s Conga-TR4 is a COM Express Type 6 board that works with the full range of V1000 SoCs. It is available with active- and passive-cooling options.
The ABOX-5100 fanless series developed by Sintrones targets vehicle applications and is part of its Artificial Intelligence (AI) GPU Computer line (Fig. 6). The system pairs an AMD Radeon Embedded E9260 or Nvidia GTX-1050TI GPU with an AMD Ryzen Embedded V1000 processor. The separate GPU provides the heavy lifting for AI applications. The system has three full-size Mini-PCIe slots that have become popular for embedded peripheral expansion. Moreover, the motherboard has an M.2 socket, and support for A-E Key 2230 for Wi-Fi/GPS/4G LTE is also available.
6. The ABOX-5100 designed by Sintrones targets vehicle applications. It has expansion slots for LTE/3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and CANbus.
The system uses a 9- to 48-V dc input with Intelligent Power Management. It also incorporates an eight-port Gigabit Ethernet switch that has optional Power-over-Ethernet (PoE 802.3) support.
Sapphire Technology’s 5- by 5-in. board is ideal for small form factor video solutions (Fig. 7). It exposes the V1000’s dual Gigabit Ethernet. There’s an M.2 expansion slot, and DDR4 ECC memory can plug into the pair of SO-DIMM sockets.
7. Sapphire Technology’s 5- by 5-in. board incorporates an AMD V1000 processor driving four mini DisplayPort connectors. It has an M.2 expansion slot.
The Seco COMe-B75-CT6 is another COM Express Type 6 module (Fig. 8). It targets infotainment, gaming, digital signage, and medical devices. It can handle four 4K displays at 60 frames/s. It has a pair of SO-DIMM slots for DDR4 ECC memory.
8. Seco’s COMe-B75-CT6 is a COM Express Type 6 module. A pair of SO-DIMM sockets support DDR4-3200 ECC memory.
