Unlocking the Power of AMD Embedded G-Series Platform
Table of Contents
Introduction
Welcome to the AMD Embedded G Series platform overview. In this article, we will discuss the features, advantages, and specifications of the AMD Embedded G Series APUs.
What is an APU?
Before we delve into the details of the AMD Embedded G Series APUs, let's first understand what an APU is. An APU, or Accelerated Processing Unit, is not just a single processor, but a combination of processors. It combines a multi-core compute processor or CPU with a multi-core graphics processor or GPU in a single chip. This integration of CPU and GPU capabilities allows for enhanced processing power and power efficiencies, enabling high-performance graphics and compute-intensive tasks in various embedded applications.
The AMD Embedded G Series Platform
The AMD Embedded G Series platform combines high-performance, low-power AMD CPU technologies with discrete-class DirectX 11-capable AMD Radeon HD 6000 series graphics on a single chip. It offers the best of both worlds, providing enhanced processing power and power efficiencies, enabling sharp, clear video and realistic, interactive graphical user interfaces. The platform is specifically designed for small form factor and fanless embedded applications.
Key Features of the AMD Embedded G Series Platform
The AMD Embedded G Series platform offers several key features that make it a preferred choice for embedded applications:
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Exceptional graphics performance per watt: The platform delivers outstanding graphics performance per watt, ensuring a media-rich user experience in graphic-centric applications like digital signage and casino gaming.
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High level of integration in a small footprint: The platform provides a high level of integration in a compact footprint, enabling innovative small form factor applications. This integration helps reduce product life cycle costs and total cost of ownership for OEMs and end customers.
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Platform scalability: The platform offers scalability through a range of footprint-compatible power and performance options. This scalability allows for a single design to be used in multiple system configurations, reducing complexity and enabling innovative product designs.
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Support for DirectX 11: The platform supports DirectX 11, which enables exceptional 3D graphics in a low-power and cost-efficient platform. This ensures immersive visual experiences in embedded applications.
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Parallel processing capabilities: The platform leverages parallel processing capabilities, allowing system designers to increase processing performance without increasing power consumption or cost. Applications with non-graphics processing requirements can fully utilize the parallel processing capabilities of the platform.
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Open and portable standards: The technology behind the platform is based on open and portable standards, making application development and programmability easier for software developers. This ensures a compelling user experience for customers and reusability of code for next-generation products.
Advantages of the AMD Embedded G Series Platform
The AMD Embedded G Series platform offers several advantages for the entire computing ecosystem:
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Reduced complexity and innovative product design possibilities: APUs can reduce complexity and enable innovative new product design possibilities, thanks to their processing capabilities and overall power efficiency.
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Cost efficiency: The AMD Embedded G Series platform provides a cost-efficient solution without compromising on performance. It offers enhanced processing power and graphics performance at a lower cost compared to competitor offerings.
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Longevity and reliability: The platform offers platform scalability, reducing the frequency of required platform redesigns. It also provides the reliability of a low-power BGA solution, ensuring long-term stability and performance.
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Compatibility and reusability of code: Leveraging parallel processing and industry standard libraries like OpenCL and Direct Compute, the platform enables easy migration of software to next-generation platforms. This ensures compatibility and reusability of code, saving time and effort for software developers.
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Enhanced user experience: With exceptional graphics performance per watt, the platform enables low-power and small form factor applications with amazing user interfaces and smooth, vivid HD video. It outperforms the competition in delivering an immersive user experience.
Specifications of the AMD G Series Processors
The AMD G Series processors offer a wide range of specifications to suit various embedded applications:
- Available in single and dual-core versions
- X86 architecture with clock speeds ranging from 615 MHz to 1.65 GHz
- Thermal Design Power (TDP) ranging from 4.5 to 18 watts
- Models available with Radeon HD 6000 series graphics and without graphics (ideal for headless applications)
- Pin-compatible versions, allowing for a single board design to support any of the APUs
It is important to note that the TDP of a part may not accurately represent its actual power consumption during operation. Actual power consumption may vary depending on the specific embedded application and tasks performed.
Power Consumption Considerations
When evaluating the thermal requirements and power limits of a system based on the AMD G Series platform, it is important to consider the actual power consumption while running the intended application. The TDP alone may not provide an accurate representation of the power consumed. For example, running 3D Mark06, the 18-watt TDP version of the APU consumes only 8 watts, while the low-power AMD GT16R APU consumes just under 3.5 watts on average. Hence, it is essential to consider the power consumption of the actual application to determine its power requirements accurately.
Architecture of the AMD G Series Platform
The AMD G Series platform is built around the Apu (Accelerated Processing Unit) and the IO Controller Hub. The Apu consists of up to two low-power Bobcat x86 CPU cores, a low-power DirectX 11 stream-enabled SIMD (Single Instruction, Multiple Data) array, and a third-generation Universal Video Decoder (UVD) block. These building blocks are connected by a high-performance bus to a single Channel of DDR3 memory and multiple analog and digital display interfaces. The Apu is connected to the IO Controller Hub by the Unified Media Interface (UMI). The platform can support up to eight PCI Express Gen 2 general-purpose lanes in various configurations and two independent displays configurable as HDM I, DisplayPort, DVI, VGA, or LVDS.
Comparison with Competitor Offerings
When comparing the AMD Embedded G Series APUs with competitor offerings, the advantages become evident. For instance, the AMD GT16R APU offers a smaller footprint than the Intel Atom E600 series solutions while delivering over twice the graphics performance and up to five times the floating-point performance of the Intel Atom D2700 at a fraction of the power and cost. The AMD G Series platform also surpasses the Intel Core solutions in terms of footprint, enabling high-performance graphics in form factors that are not possible with Intel solutions. The superiority of the AMD G Series platform is evident in its overall performance when compared to the competition.
Resources
For more information on the AMD G Series platform, including reference designs, Intel Atom comparisons, and other embedded support collateral, please visit the AMD G Series web page at www.amd.com/g-series. The AMD Embedded Product Catalog provides a comprehensive listing of AMD-based board and system-level solutions that can be sorted based on form factor, processor, or application. To access the catalog, visit www.amd.com/embedded/catalog. Additionally, the AMD Embedded Developer Support site offers detailed information on product data sheets, source files for reference designs, power optimization guides, and more. New customers can register to gain access to the site at www.amd.com/dev.
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