Fifth-Generation CEVA Imaging & Vision Technology Simplifies Delivery of Powerful Deep Learning Solutions on Low-Power Embedded Devices
Poster: SySAdmin
Posted on September 27, 2016 at 6:28:01 AM
Fifth-Generation CEVA Imaging & Vision Technology Simplifies Delivery of Powerful Deep Learning Solutions on Low-Power Embedded Devices
- Comprehensive Vision Platform Incorporates New CEVA-XM6 DSP Core, Hardware Accelerators, Neural Network Software Framework, Software Libraries and a Broad Set of Algorithms
- Enables Embedded Neural Networks for Mass Market Intelligent Vision Applications
- Targeted for Autonomous Driving, Sense and Avoid Drones, Virtual and Augmented Reality, Smart Surveillance, Smartphones, Robotics and More
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Linley Processor Conference - CEVA, Inc. (NASDAQ: CEVA), the leading licensor of signal processing IP for smarter, connected devices, today introduced a new DSP-based offering bringing deep learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities to low-power embedded systems. A comprehensive, scalable, integrated hardware and software silicon IP platform that is centered around a new imaging and vision DSP - the CEVA-XM6 - allows developers to efficiently harness the power of neural networks and machine vision for smartphones, autonomous vehicles, surveillance, robots, drones and other camera-enabled smart devices.
Compared to the previous generation CEVA-XM4 intelligent vision DSP, the new CEVA-XM6-based vision platform delivers up to 8x higher performance for neural network workloads and up to 3x performance improvement across all computer vision kernels. Key enhancements introduced in the new architecture include a new vector and scalar processing units and substantial enhancements to instruction set, memory bandwidth and direct memory access (DMA).
The new vision platform further extends CEVA's performance advantage over leading GPU-based architectures when implementing neural networks. Compared to a leading GPU-based embedded system for computer vision and deep learning, CEVA's latest imaging and vision platform delivers more than 25x performance-per-watt efficiency and 4x faster processing for convolutional neural networks (CNNs) such as AlexNet and GoogLeNet.
Ilan Yona, vice president and general manager of the Vision Business Unit at CEVA, commented, "As computer vision and deep learning technologies become mainstream, there is a need to bridge the gap between the deep neural networks that are being generated by power-consuming GPU engines and the ability to deploy these in power- and performance-constrained embedded applications. Our new vision platform excels in this regard, providing developers with the most comprehensive set of technologies to rapidly address these embedded use-cases."
The vision platform integrates a wealth of software and hardware IPs that provide time-to-market and power advantages for deploying machine vision and deep learning in embedded systems. Alongside the CEVA-XM6 DSP itself, the platform includes function-specific accelerators for CNN and image de-warp (for all types of image transformations), CEVA's highly-acclaimed CDNN2 neural network software framework, OpenCV, OpenCL and OpenVX APIs, CEVA-CV computer vision library and a set of optimized, widely used algorithms.
Commenting on today's launch, Jeff Bier, Founder, Embedded Vision Alliance, explained, "Designers of a wide range of end-products are eager to incorporate visual intelligence into their designs. Often, the vision and deep learning algorithms used by these developers demand very high processing performance in a low-cost, low-power, programmable form. I applaud CEVA for its long-term commitment to delivering processors and software tools focused on meeting these needs."
Technical Features
Built on the strong foundations of the CEVA-XM4 and CEVA-MM3101 processors with over twenty-five design wins to date, the CEVA-XM6 introduces a range of architectural innovations and enhancements that deliver breakthrough performance for neural networks and advanced computer vision processing. These include:
-- Innovative vector processor unit (VPU) architecture - ensuring above 95%
MAC utilization, which is unmatched in the industry today.
-- Enhanced Parallel Scatter-Gather Memory Load Mechanism - further
improving the performance of vision algorithms, including SLAM and depth
mapping.
-- Sliding Window 2.0(TM) - This patented mechanism takes advantage of
pixel overlap in image processing and helps to achieve higher
utilization for a wider variety of neural networks and cope with the
increasing complexity of these networks.
-- Optional 32-way SIMD vector floating-point unit that includes the IEEE
half precision standard (FP16) and major non-linear operations
enhancements.
-- Other improvements include an enhanced 3D data processing scheme for
accelerated CNN performance, a 50% improvement in control code
performance versus the CEVA-XM4, a new scalar unit which further reduces
code size, multi-core and system integration support.
In addition to the CEVA-XM6 DSP, other key components of the vision platform include:
-- CDNN accelerator - the 16-bit CDNN accelerator delivers 512 MACs/cycle,
ensuring best-in-class performance to handle today's most complex neural
networks. The CDNN accelerator also serves to free up the 256 MAC units
in the CEVA-XM6 DSP, allowing additional computer vision tasks to run in
parallel. This flexible approach makes the CEVA-XM6 working together
with the CDNN accelerator an optimal architecture to support new imaging
algorithms, network structures, and changing layer types experienced in
the quickly evolving deep learning space
-- Image de-warp accelerator - For wide angle camera applications, such as
360 degree cameras, the image de-warp accelerator supports the ARM Frame
Buffer Compression (AFBC) protocol, for best system interoperability.
-- Accelerator-aware complementary software - runs on the CEVA-XM6 DSP for
efficient accelerator utilization allowing developers further
differentiate their product designs
-- CDNN2 software framework - Optimized and works in conjunction with the
CEVA-XM6 and the accelerators, developers can easily use this platform
to generate and port their proprietary neural networks to the CEVA-XM6.
This enables a significant acceleration in performance utilizing the
most sophisticated, latest network topologies and layers, including
support for Caffe and TensorFlow, Google's software library for machine
learning.
-- ISO 26262 active safety compliance and safety package deliverables -
supports the needs of next generation ADAS and automated driving
solutions for automotive use cases.
CEVA's CDNN2 software framework is optimized for both the CEVA-XM6 and the CDNN accelerator and fully supports 16-bit fixed-point precision, ensuring less than 1% accuracy degradation when running a network that was trained in a 32-bit floating-point environment. This is critical when transitioning neural networks from R&D into cost- and power-efficient solutions that target high volume automotive and consumer applications.
Availability
The CEVA-XM6 DSP and vision platform components will be available for licensing to lead customers in the fourth quarter of 2016 and for general licensing in the first quarter of 2017.
For more information on the CEVA-XM6 DSP and vision platform, visit http://launch.ceva-dsp.com/CEVA-XM6. A video introducing the CEVA-XM6 can be viewed on the CEVA YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWCQizbzYW0.
About CEVA, Inc.
CEVA is the leading licensor of signal processing IP for a smarter, connected world. We partner with semiconductor companies and OEMs worldwide to create power-efficient, intelligent and connected devices for a range of end markets, including mobile, consumer, automotive, industrial and IoT. Our ultra-low-power IPs for vision, audio, communications and connectivity include comprehensive DSP-based platforms for LTE/LTE-A/5G baseband processing in handsets, infrastructure and machine-to-machine devices, computer vision and computational photography for any camera-enabled device, audio/voice/speech and ultra-low power always-on/sensing applications for multiple IoT markets. For connectivity, we offer the industry's most widely adopted IPs for Bluetooth (low energy and dual mode), Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac up to 4x4) and serial storage (SATA and SAS). Visit us at http://www.ceva-dsp.com and follow us on Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120808/SF53702LOGO
Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWCQizbzYW0
SOURCE CEVA, Inc.
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120808/SF53702LOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120808/SF53702LOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWCQizbzYW0
CEVA, Inc.
CONTACT: CEVA, Richard Kingston, CEVA, Inc., 650-417-7976, richard.kingston@ceva-dsp.com; Pinnacle Marketing Communications Ltd, Simon Flatt, +44 20 8869 9229, simon.flatt@pinnaclemarcom.com
Web Site: http://www.ceva-dsp.com
- Comprehensive Vision Platform Incorporates New CEVA-XM6 DSP Core, Hardware Accelerators, Neural Network Software Framework, Software Libraries and a Broad Set of Algorithms
- Enables Embedded Neural Networks for Mass Market Intelligent Vision Applications
- Targeted for Autonomous Driving, Sense and Avoid Drones, Virtual and Augmented Reality, Smart Surveillance, Smartphones, Robotics and More
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Linley Processor Conference - CEVA, Inc. (NASDAQ: CEVA), the leading licensor of signal processing IP for smarter, connected devices, today introduced a new DSP-based offering bringing deep learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities to low-power embedded systems. A comprehensive, scalable, integrated hardware and software silicon IP platform that is centered around a new imaging and vision DSP - the CEVA-XM6 - allows developers to efficiently harness the power of neural networks and machine vision for smartphones, autonomous vehicles, surveillance, robots, drones and other camera-enabled smart devices.
Compared to the previous generation CEVA-XM4 intelligent vision DSP, the new CEVA-XM6-based vision platform delivers up to 8x higher performance for neural network workloads and up to 3x performance improvement across all computer vision kernels. Key enhancements introduced in the new architecture include a new vector and scalar processing units and substantial enhancements to instruction set, memory bandwidth and direct memory access (DMA).
The new vision platform further extends CEVA's performance advantage over leading GPU-based architectures when implementing neural networks. Compared to a leading GPU-based embedded system for computer vision and deep learning, CEVA's latest imaging and vision platform delivers more than 25x performance-per-watt efficiency and 4x faster processing for convolutional neural networks (CNNs) such as AlexNet and GoogLeNet.
Ilan Yona, vice president and general manager of the Vision Business Unit at CEVA, commented, "As computer vision and deep learning technologies become mainstream, there is a need to bridge the gap between the deep neural networks that are being generated by power-consuming GPU engines and the ability to deploy these in power- and performance-constrained embedded applications. Our new vision platform excels in this regard, providing developers with the most comprehensive set of technologies to rapidly address these embedded use-cases."
The vision platform integrates a wealth of software and hardware IPs that provide time-to-market and power advantages for deploying machine vision and deep learning in embedded systems. Alongside the CEVA-XM6 DSP itself, the platform includes function-specific accelerators for CNN and image de-warp (for all types of image transformations), CEVA's highly-acclaimed CDNN2 neural network software framework, OpenCV, OpenCL and OpenVX APIs, CEVA-CV computer vision library and a set of optimized, widely used algorithms.
Commenting on today's launch, Jeff Bier, Founder, Embedded Vision Alliance, explained, "Designers of a wide range of end-products are eager to incorporate visual intelligence into their designs. Often, the vision and deep learning algorithms used by these developers demand very high processing performance in a low-cost, low-power, programmable form. I applaud CEVA for its long-term commitment to delivering processors and software tools focused on meeting these needs."
Technical Features
Built on the strong foundations of the CEVA-XM4 and CEVA-MM3101 processors with over twenty-five design wins to date, the CEVA-XM6 introduces a range of architectural innovations and enhancements that deliver breakthrough performance for neural networks and advanced computer vision processing. These include:
-- Innovative vector processor unit (VPU) architecture - ensuring above 95%
MAC utilization, which is unmatched in the industry today.
-- Enhanced Parallel Scatter-Gather Memory Load Mechanism - further
improving the performance of vision algorithms, including SLAM and depth
mapping.
-- Sliding Window 2.0(TM) - This patented mechanism takes advantage of
pixel overlap in image processing and helps to achieve higher
utilization for a wider variety of neural networks and cope with the
increasing complexity of these networks.
-- Optional 32-way SIMD vector floating-point unit that includes the IEEE
half precision standard (FP16) and major non-linear operations
enhancements.
-- Other improvements include an enhanced 3D data processing scheme for
accelerated CNN performance, a 50% improvement in control code
performance versus the CEVA-XM4, a new scalar unit which further reduces
code size, multi-core and system integration support.
In addition to the CEVA-XM6 DSP, other key components of the vision platform include:
-- CDNN accelerator - the 16-bit CDNN accelerator delivers 512 MACs/cycle,
ensuring best-in-class performance to handle today's most complex neural
networks. The CDNN accelerator also serves to free up the 256 MAC units
in the CEVA-XM6 DSP, allowing additional computer vision tasks to run in
parallel. This flexible approach makes the CEVA-XM6 working together
with the CDNN accelerator an optimal architecture to support new imaging
algorithms, network structures, and changing layer types experienced in
the quickly evolving deep learning space
-- Image de-warp accelerator - For wide angle camera applications, such as
360 degree cameras, the image de-warp accelerator supports the ARM Frame
Buffer Compression (AFBC) protocol, for best system interoperability.
-- Accelerator-aware complementary software - runs on the CEVA-XM6 DSP for
efficient accelerator utilization allowing developers further
differentiate their product designs
-- CDNN2 software framework - Optimized and works in conjunction with the
CEVA-XM6 and the accelerators, developers can easily use this platform
to generate and port their proprietary neural networks to the CEVA-XM6.
This enables a significant acceleration in performance utilizing the
most sophisticated, latest network topologies and layers, including
support for Caffe and TensorFlow, Google's software library for machine
learning.
-- ISO 26262 active safety compliance and safety package deliverables -
supports the needs of next generation ADAS and automated driving
solutions for automotive use cases.
CEVA's CDNN2 software framework is optimized for both the CEVA-XM6 and the CDNN accelerator and fully supports 16-bit fixed-point precision, ensuring less than 1% accuracy degradation when running a network that was trained in a 32-bit floating-point environment. This is critical when transitioning neural networks from R&D into cost- and power-efficient solutions that target high volume automotive and consumer applications.
Availability
The CEVA-XM6 DSP and vision platform components will be available for licensing to lead customers in the fourth quarter of 2016 and for general licensing in the first quarter of 2017.
For more information on the CEVA-XM6 DSP and vision platform, visit http://launch.ceva-dsp.com/CEVA-XM6. A video introducing the CEVA-XM6 can be viewed on the CEVA YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWCQizbzYW0.
About CEVA, Inc.
CEVA is the leading licensor of signal processing IP for a smarter, connected world. We partner with semiconductor companies and OEMs worldwide to create power-efficient, intelligent and connected devices for a range of end markets, including mobile, consumer, automotive, industrial and IoT. Our ultra-low-power IPs for vision, audio, communications and connectivity include comprehensive DSP-based platforms for LTE/LTE-A/5G baseband processing in handsets, infrastructure and machine-to-machine devices, computer vision and computational photography for any camera-enabled device, audio/voice/speech and ultra-low power always-on/sensing applications for multiple IoT markets. For connectivity, we offer the industry's most widely adopted IPs for Bluetooth (low energy and dual mode), Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac up to 4x4) and serial storage (SATA and SAS). Visit us at http://www.ceva-dsp.com and follow us on Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120808/SF53702LOGO
Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWCQizbzYW0
SOURCE CEVA, Inc.
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120808/SF53702LOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120808/SF53702LOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWCQizbzYW0
CEVA, Inc.
CONTACT: CEVA, Richard Kingston, CEVA, Inc., 650-417-7976, richard.kingston@ceva-dsp.com; Pinnacle Marketing Communications Ltd, Simon Flatt, +44 20 8869 9229, simon.flatt@pinnaclemarcom.com
Web Site: http://www.ceva-dsp.com