New Synopsys Processor Core Targets Traditional- and Deep Learning-based Embedded Vision

In early 2015, Synopsys' DesignWare EV5x processor core family achieved notable attention for its unique co-processor engine focused on CNNs (convolutional neural networks) for object recognition and other vision functions. The company's new EV6x processor core family includes an upgraded CNN engine that delivers substantial performance gains over its predecessor while – in a nod to customers preferring to leverage "classical" computer vision algorithms – decoupling it from the remainder of the core, which now includes 512-bit vector DSPs (Figure 1). Synopsys' new DesignWare EV6x family (top) comes in three variants and includes a 512-bit vector DSP engine, while making the CNN engine an option (bottom), in contrast with its EV5x predecessor. EV6x family members include a one- to four-core "Vision CPU," which finds use both for control functions and for image pre-processing operations such as greyscale conversion, according to Senior Product Marketing Manager Mike Thompson. The Vision CPU cores start with the same 32-bit scalar processor as in the prior generation EV5x, and add a new 512-bit vector DSP engine capable of 155 GOPS peak throughput at a clock speed of 800 MHz, significantly boosting the per-core performance (Figure 2).