TL;DR:
- Sipeed’s new SBC based on RISC-V processor boasts fully ratified RISC-V Vector Extension 1.0
- C908 chip runs at 1.6GHz and includes RVV 1.0, delivering a significant performance boost for on-device machine learning workloads
- SBC is equipped with Kendryte Processing Unit (KPU), a dedicated machine-learning accelerator with 2MB of static RAM (SRAM)
- SBC also includes a second processor core, security subsystem with true random number generator, power management system, and multimedia subsystem with 3D depth engine and 2.5D graphics processor
- Supports DDR3L, LPDDR3, and LPDDR4 memory, image signal processor block, two USB 2.0 ports, two SD/eMMC peripherals, SPI, I2C, UART, and up to 64 GPIO pins
- Chip supports running RV32 code in User mode on an RV64 core, adding versatility for developers.
- SBC could potentially be priced between $30-$40
- The launch schedule has not been announced yet. Interested parties can follow Sipeed’s Twitter account for updates.
Main AI News:
Sipeed has been creating waves in the tech industry with its recent teaser images of a new single-board computer (SBC) that could potentially revolutionize the field of on-device AI. The SBC is based on a RISC-V processor that boasts the fully ratified RISC-V Vector Extension (RVV) 1.0, which promises to provide a significant performance boost to on-device machine learning workloads.
The SBC features the C908 chip, designed by T-Head XuanTie and clocked at 1.6GHz, which includes the RVV 1.0 — a fully-ratified version of the extension. This is a significant upgrade from the earlier pre-ratification 0.7.1 release, which is the only version available on commercially available silicon. The RVV 1.0 should enhance the chip’s performance for applications that can utilize vector acceleration, such as on-device machine learning workloads.
While Sipeed has been tight-lipped about the details of the chip, a partially-redacted block diagram suggests that the new SBC is based on an unannounced Canaan Kendryte chip, which is equipped with a Kendryte Processing Unit (KPU) — a dedicated machine-learning accelerator with 2MB of static RAM (SRAM). The SBC could potentially be priced between $30-$40, making it an affordable option for developers and hobbyists.
Sipeed is planning an affordable new RISC-V single-board computer based around what appears to be an unannounced Kendryte chip. Source: Sipeed
Sipeed’s upcoming single-board computer (SBC) promises to be a versatile and powerful development tool for AI and multimedia applications. The SBC features a RISC-V processor with the fully-ratified RISC-V Vector Extension (RVV) 1.0, which should significantly boost performance for on-device machine learning workloads.
The chip also includes a second processor core running at 800MHz, a security subsystem with a true random number generator (TRNG), a power management system, and a multimedia subsystem with a 3D depth engine and a 2.5D graphics processor. The SBC also supports DDR3L, LPDDR3, and LPDDR4 memory and includes an image signal processor (ISP) block, two USB 2.0 ports, two SD/eMMC peripherals, SPI, I2C, UART, and up to 64 general-purpose input/output (GPIO) pins, including six pulse-width modulation (PWM) channels and a 12-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC).
But that’s not all. According to former SiFive developer Bruce Hoult, the chip also supports running RV32 code in User mode (only) on an RV64 core, which is a feature not commonly found in RISC-V cores. This added versatility could make the SBC even more attractive to developers and hobbyists looking for a powerful and flexible development tool.
Sipeed has not yet announced a launch schedule for the new board, but interested parties can follow the company’s Twitter account for updates. With its powerful features and affordable price point, the new Sipeed SBC promises to be a game-changer for developers and hobbyists in the AI and multimedia fields.
The chip’s high-performance core is claimed to be slightly faster than the SiFive U74, found in the VisionFive 2 and Star64 SBCs – but has only one performance core. Source: Sipeed
Conlcusion:
The release of Sipeed’s latest single-board computer with a fully ratified RISC-V Vector Extension 1.0 at an affordable price point is a significant development for the market. The board’s powerful features, including a dedicated machine-learning accelerator and support for running RV32 code in User mode on an RV64 core, make it an attractive option for developers and hobbyists in the AI and multimedia fields. This could potentially drive innovation and competition in the market, leading to advancements in on-device machine learning workloads and opening up new possibilities for applications in various industries.
