Architectural Differences and Their Impact on VPX Systems

Introduction

AMD’s Versal™ Adaptive SoC architecture combines scalar processors, programmable logic, and AI Engines into a unified heterogeneous compute platform. Versal Gen 1 established this architecture and introduced AI acceleration across multiple product families, including AI Core and AI Edge.

With Versal Gen 2, AMD evolves the platform with a strong focus on edge AI efficiency, higher clock-rate fabrics, lower power consumption, and functional safety, all of which are highly relevant to rugged VPX and SOSA-aligned systems.

Today, SundanceDSP’s Solar Express 2000 (SE2000) is the only VPX product available on the market based on Versal Gen 2 adaptive SoCs, making it a unique platform for deploying AMD’s latest adaptive computing technology in defense, aerospace, and embedded environments.

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AI Engines: From AIE and AIE-ML to Next-Generation AIE-ML

What Gen 1 Already Had

It is essential to clarify that AI Engine-ML (AIE-ML) was not introduced with Versal Gen 2.

• Versal Gen 1 AI Core and AI Edge devices already include AIE-ML (first-generation) tiles, designed to accelerate machine-learning inference in addition to traditional DSP workloads.

• Earlier Gen 1 devices (e.g., Versal Prime, some AI Core variants) used the original AIE (DSP-oriented) tiles.

What Changes in Gen 2

Versal Gen 2 introduces the next evolution of AIE-ML, sometimes referred to in internal and early documentation as enhanced or next-generation AIE-ML.

Key improvements include:

• Up to ~3× higher TOPS per watt compared to Gen 1 AIE-ML under comparable workloads

• Improved compute density, allowing more AI capability in power, and thermally constrained systems such as 3U VPX

• Expanded and more efficient low-precision and mixed-precision support, aligned with modern neural-network inference

• Larger and more efficient memory structures, reducing data movement and external memory traffic

• Better integration with the NoC and programmable logic, improving end-to-end pipeline efficiency

These enhancements make Versal Gen 2 significantly better suited for edge AI inference and adaptive sensor processing, rather than simply extending DSP-style acceleration.

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Processing System: Scalar Performance and Functional Safety

Gen 1 Processing System

Versal Gen 1 devices typically integrate:

• Arm® Cortex-A72 application processors

• Cortex-R5F real-time processors

This configuration is well-suited for control and orchestration but has limited native support for high-integrity safety architectures.

Gen 2 Processing System Enhancements

Versal Gen 2 significantly upgrades the processing subsystem:

• Versal AI Edge Gen 2 devices integrate Arm Cortex-A78AE processors

  • The “AE” variant is specifically designed for functional safety

  • Supports ASIL-D / SIL-3 system architectures

• Versal Prime Gen 2 devices may use standard Cortex-A78 cores, focusing on performance rather than safety certification

• Real-time processing moves from Cortex-R5F to Cortex-R52, enabling:

  • Lock-step execution

  • Improved determinism

  • Higher integrity real-time control

This distinction is significant for SOSA-aligned VPX systems, where safety, determinism, and mission assurance are key requirements.

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Programmable Logic Fabric: IMUX Removal as a Power and Frequency Optimization

At the programmable logic level, Versal Gen 2 introduces a refined fabric architecture.

What Changed

• The IMUX register, present in Gen 1 fabric for fine-grained timing and hold-time control, is removed or re-architected in Gen 2

• Timing closure is now handled automatically by the Vivado™ toolchain

Why It Matters

This change is not merely about reducing complexity. It is part of a broader fabric optimization strategy that delivers:

• Higher achievable clock frequencies

• Lower dynamic power consumption in the programmable logic

• Improved efficiency for deeply pipelined and high-throughput designs

For VPX modules operating under strict power and thermal envelopes, this fabric optimization is a practical and measurable advantage.

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Memory and I/O: What Actually Improves in Gen 2

Versal Gen 1 already supports high-performance memory:

• DDR4

• LPDDR4

• DDR5 and LPDDR5 (notably in Premium and HBM series)

The Real Gen 2 Advantage

Versal Gen 2 extends this capability with:

• LPDDR5X supports up to 8533 Mbps

• Higher effective bandwidth for edge-class devices

• Improved power efficiency per bit transferred

For VPX and embedded edge systems, this enables higher AI throughput without resorting to HBM-class devices, which are often impractical in rugged form factors.

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SE2000: The Only Versal Gen 2 VPX Platform Available Today

The Solar Express 2000 (SE2000) from SundanceDSP is a 3U OpenVPX, SOSA-aligned module built around AMD Versal Gen 2 adaptive SoCs.

Key attributes include:

• Support for Versal AI Edge Gen 2 and Prime Gen 2

• Next-generation AIE-ML acceleration for edge AI

• High-speed serial connectivity for sensor, RF, and data-centric workloads

• FMC+ expansion for application-specific I/O

• Secure boot and TPM support

• Designed for rugged defense and aerospace deployments

At present, SE2000 is the only VPX product on the market based on Versal Gen 2, providing early access to AMD’s latest adaptive computing architecture.

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Side-by-Side Comparison: Versal Gen 1 vs. Versal Gen 2

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Conclusion

Versal Gen 2 is not a reinvention of the Versal architecture—it is a targeted evolution focused on higher AI efficiency, lower power fabrics, functional safety, and edge-optimized memory bandwidth.

By delivering next-generation AIE-ML, safety-capable Cortex-A78AE processing, and an optimized programmable logic fabric, Versal Gen 2 is particularly well suited to SOSA-aligned VPX platforms.

With the SE2000, SundanceDSP uniquely enables these Gen 2 capabilities in a deployable VPX form factor: today.