Microchip Technology unveils PIC64HX1000 AI microprocessor family

Microchip Technology Inc., a prominent provider of microcontroller and integrated circuit solutions, has officially introduced the PIC64HX1000 64-bit AI microprocessor (MPU) family. This novel generation of MPUs is specifically designed to meet the demands of mission-critical intelligent edge applications, aiming primarily at the aerospace, defence, industrial, and medical sectors. These sectors will benefit from its advanced quantum-resistant design, offering a degree of future-proofing against emerging threats from quantum computing.

The microprocessors house eight SiFive’s Intelligence X280 cores, each capable of reaching speeds of up to 1 GHz. This setup employs a decoupled vector pipeline that enables 512-bit operations. As a result, the PIC64HX1000 achieves up to 2 Tera Operations Per Second (TOPS) for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) processing. Additionally, it includes integrated Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) Ethernet capabilities, which enhance its networking prowess.

The PIC64HX1000 stands out with its security features, like the WorldGuard architecture that ensures workload isolation. It is fortified with post-quantum cryptography aligned with the NIST-standardized FIPS 203 and FIPS 204 cryptographic algorithms, offering enhanced protection against potential future threats from quantum computing advances.

Furthermore, the new MPU family includes different variants tailored for specific industries, namely the PIC64HX1000 – IN for industrial use, PIC64HX1000 – AV for aviation, and PIC64HX1000 – MI for military applications. These variants cater to different operating temperature ranges and application-specific requirements, adding flexibility and robustness to their respective sectors.

From the technical specifications, these MPUs feature a robust 64-bit RISC-V core, the SiFive S7, operating at 500 MHz, complemented by various interfaces such as SPI/QSPI, I2C, and UART, as well as 32 GPIO. The system architecture supports runtime monitoring and fault management, crucial for applications where reliability and precision are non-negotiable.

In terms of memory, the PIC64HX1000 can accommodate DDR4-3200 with ECC, allowing up to 32GB per interface, and supports additional memory types like SRAM and MRAM. Storage capabilities cover eMMC, SD, and both NAND and NOR Flash. Networking is another strong suit with a 240 Gbps Ethernet switch, offering up to 16 external ports ranging from 10M to 10G, as well as low-latency data transfers with 80 Gbps DMA and RDMA with RoCEv2 protocols.

For expansion purposes, the MPU offers various options, such as two PCIe Gen 3 x8 or four PCIe Gen 3 x4 interfaces, alongside CXL 2.0, supporting up to 8 GT/s. The Picasso Ultra+ Evaluation Kit, concurrently announced, includes dual-rank DDR4 SO-DIMMs, 256GB eMMC, and 2Gb NOR flash, featuring rich connectivity choices such as mikroBUS, Raspberry Pi connector, CAN FD, and PCIe edge connectors. While the evaluation kit’s board imagery has been rendered, the kit itself is not yet available for purchase.

Samples of the PIC64HX1000 are projected to be available to Microchip’s early access partners by 2025. The company provides extensive support and tools to aid developers, with available libraries, drivers, and various operating system compatibility, including Linux and RTEMS, among others. It’s also highlighted that this range of processors will integrate seamlessly with Microchip’s Mi-V ecosystem, enhancing the development environment for RISC-V architecture.

Microchip positions the PIC64HX1000 MPU family as a significant leap forward in providing robust, secure, and powerful processing capabilities for critical sectors, pushing the envelope in both computing power and security infrastructure. Further details about this comprehensive offering can be explored through Microchip’s official channels and resources.

Source: Noah Wire Services