Introduction
Microchip’s new low-density PolarFire® devices aim to address key challenges in edge computing systems by significantly reducing static power consumption while maintaining leading performance. The additions of the MPF050T FPGA and MPFS025T FPGA SoC aim to exceed alternatives in the market in terms of performance per watt. These new devices could enable more robust and compact edge system designs with ultra-low power and the industry’s smallest thermal footprint. In this commentary, I will look deeper at the key claims, specifications, potential applications, and customer feedback regarding these new PolarFire offerings.
Key Challenges in Edge Computing
For context, edge computing aims to process and analyze data locally at the source rather than sending all data to a centralized cloud infrastructure. This enables faster response times, and improved reliability through distributed processing, and helps address bandwidth and latency issues that come with cloud connectivity. However, edge systems often have stringent power, size, and cooling constraints compared to data centers. Addressing these challenges is critical to enable broader edge deployment across industries. Significant reductions in static power consumption could be particularly impactful, as static power refers to the minimum power drawn even when a device is idle, accounting for a large portion of total power in many systems.
PolarFire: Halving Static Power Consumption
Microchip claims its new low-density PolarFire FPGAs and FPGA SoCs have cut static power consumption in half compared to alternatives. At only 25mW of static power for the MPFS025T SoC, this could be a major improvement. Lower static power allows more computing capabilities within the same power envelope and thermal design windows. It also reduces overall system costs by relaxing cooling and power delivery requirements. Microchip attributes the power reductions to optimizations at the transistor level through their proprietary Silicon Spectrum process technology. If achieved, halving static power intake could significantly expand the viable form factors and deployment environments for edge systems.
Maintaining Leading Performance Density
In reducing power consumption so aggressively, there was a risk of compromising on performance. However, Microchip claims the new PolarFire devices maintain the best performance density compared to any other offerings in their class. This refers to the fastest FPGA fabric and signal processing capabilities, the most capable transceivers, and the application-optimized RISC-V processor complex with large L2 caches and memory support. In fact, Microchip argues the performance headroom has increased with the lower power point of operation. The ability to achieve best-in-class performance within an ultra-low power envelope could open up many new application opportunities at the edge.
Expanding the PolarFire Portfolio
With the additions of the 50KLE MPF050T FPGA and 25KLE MPFS025T FPGA SoC, Microchip has widened the range and use cases addressed by the PolarFire family. The MPFS025T in particular introduces multi-core RISC-V processing into Microchip’s edge portfolio. This suggests the new devices aim to capture not just low-end FPGA workloads but more complex embedded applications as well. The expanded portfolio approach builds on the existing Libero software and broader Microchip solutions ecosystem, lowering integration efforts for customers.
Addressing Key Edge Constraints
By achieving the lowest static power and smallest thermal footprint in their class, the new PolarFire devices aim to directly address major constraints that have limited edge deployment such as power budgets, form factor restrictions, and passive cooling needs. The ability to eliminate fans, reduce board space for power delivery, and relax enclosure and mounting requirements could open many new smart embedded and IoT opportunities. When coupled with full-featured performance, the new PolarFire offering targets a compelling balance of capabilities for edge compute system designs.
Customer Feedback
The commentary discussed customer feedback that provides early validation of Microchip’s claims regarding the new PolarFire FPGAs and SoC. Video equipment supplier Magewell cited expanded opportunities to innovate with low-power USB capture products. Thermal camera company Xenics highlighted the importance of size, weight, and power considerations, suggesting PolarFire enables next-gen product capabilities. Embedded camera designer Kaya Instruments uses PolarFire to fit advanced sensing into compact spaces with excellent low-light performance. Overall, the customer quotes demonstrate how the new PolarFire performance-power profile addresses real challenges across markets like imaging, vision, and industrial IoT.
Potential Applications
Based on its specifications and targeting edge constraints, some potential applications well-suited for the new PolarFire devices include:
- Smart camera systems for automotive, industrial, and surveillance applications
- Embedded vision systems for quality inspection, anomaly detection
- Medical imaging front-ends and vision-guided robotic surgery systems
- Compact wireless infrastructure elements like small cells and radio heads
- Drones, robotics, and autonomous vehicles for on-board processing
- Predictive maintenance and industrial IoT gateways or data aggregators
- Low-power defense and aerospace applications like flight controllers
- Security appliances, embedded servers, and storage arrays
Conclusion
In summary, Microchip’s new low-density PolarFire FPGAs and SoC introduce significant reductions in static power consumption while maintaining industry-leading performance density and capabilities. With the smallest thermal footprint, these new devices could eliminate major constraints in edge system design like cooling needs. Initial customer feedback validates how the compelling power-performance balance addresses real challenges across markets. The broadened portfolio and ability to target power-constrained applications more aggressively position PolarFire as a contender for applications at the edge and beyond. With their ultra-low power targets achieved, the new PolarFire additions could help accelerate edge deployments across many industries.
FAQ
Q: How much does static power consumption decrease with the new PolarFire devices?
A: Microchip claims static power consumption has been cut in half compared to alternatives. Specifically, the MPFS025T FPGA SoC has just 25mW of static power. This is a very significant 50% or more reduction that can enable more capabilities within the same power budgets.
Q: Will performance be compromised with the lower power figures?
A: No, Microchip states the new PolarFire FPGAs and SoCs maintain the best performance density compared to any other offerings in their class. They still provide the fastest FPGA fabric, the most capable transceivers, and the application-class RISC-V processor complex. In fact, performance headroom may have increased with the lower power point of operation.
Q: What applications are best suited for these new PolarFire devices?
A: Some potential key applications include smart cameras, embedded vision, medical imaging, wireless infrastructure, drones/robotics, predictive maintenance, aerospace/defense, and security appliances. Essentially applications that have stringent power, size, cooling, or deployment constraints that PolarFire’s ultra-low power profile could help address.
Q: When will the new PolarFire parts be available?
A: Developers can begin designing with the new PolarFire FPGAs and FPGA SoCs now using Microchip’s Libero 2021.2 software tools, which are available on their website. Volume production silicon shipments are scheduled for Q1 2022.
Q: How do the new low-density parts expand Microchip’s PolarFire portfolio?
A: The additions of the 50KLE MPF050T FPGA and 25KLE MPFS025T FPGA SoC widen the range of logic capacities and introduce multi-core RISC-V processing. This broadens the types of edge applications that can be targeted beyond just low-end FPGA workloads.
Q: What customer examples were provided validating the PolarFire claims?
A: Example customers cited included video equipment supplier Magewell, thermal camera company Xenics, and embedded camera designer Kaya Instruments. They highlighted how PolarFire addresses key needs around size, power efficiency, and low-light imaging capabilities.
