Summary of VIA UNVEILS AI SYSTEM POWERED BY QUALCOMM®️ SNAPDRAGON 820E
VIA Technologies launched the ALTA DS 3 Edge AI, a compact mini-PC running Android 8.0 on the Snapdragon 820E processor. Designed for edge AI applications like facial recognition and digital signage, it features a Kryo CPU, Adreno GPU, and Hexagon DSP. The device includes 4GB LPDDR4 RAM, 16GB eMMC storage, an M.2 NVMe slot, dual HDMI outputs, Gigabit Ethernet, USB ports, and a SIM card slot. It supports various neural network models via Qualcomm's SDK and is available globally for $399.
Parts used in the VIA ALTA DS 3 Edge AI:
- Snapdragon 820E processor
- Android 8.0 Oreo BSP
- 4GB LPDDR4 POP memory
- 16GB eMMC storage
- SD slot
- M.2 slot for 2280 NVMe SSDs
- Gigabit Ethernet port
- Dual HDMI ports with integrated HDMI 2.0 transmitter
- Three USB 3.0 ports
- Mini-USB port (fastboot mode)
- USB-only miniPCIe slot
- SIM card slot
- Dual audio jacks with WCD9335 codec
- TPM 1.2 security chip
- Vertical stand holder or optional VESA mount
VIA Technologies has unveiled a mini-PC that runs Android 8.0 on a Snapdragon 820E named the VIA ALTA DS 3 Edge AI. The VIA ALTA DS 3 Edge AI operates an Android 8.0 “Oreo” BSP for the Snapdragon 820E, which also powers the Arrow/Qualcomm DragonBoard 820c SBC. The Snapdragon 820E is a close replica, variant of the Snapdragon 820, in league with other embedded Snapdragon variants with 10 years lifespan such as the Snapdragon 600E.
Like the 820, it has four Kryo cores two at 2.35GHz, and two at 1.6GHz plus a 624MHz Adreno 530 GPU, a Hexagon 680 DSP, and a 14-bit Spectra ISP. the Alta DS 3 uses Qualcomm’s Neural Processing SDK for operating various neural network models trained in Caffe/Caffe2, ONNX, or TensorFlow using the CPU, GPU or DSP,” according to VIA.
The VIA ALTA DS 3 provides tightly-integrated system platform that accelerates innovation at the edge for multimedia-rich New Retail applications that boost customer convenience and engagement
says Richard Brown, Vice-President of International Marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc. This includes applications that combine AI algorithms with “immersive multimedia signage display content.”
Other applications to benefit from this operating system include “facial recognition check-in systems for hotels, train stations, airports, and payment authentication systems for cashierless stores, vending machines, and ticket kiosks.
The mini PC which is 175 x 118 x 25mm in size is equipped with 4GB LPDDR4 in a POP package, as well as 16GB eMMC and an SD slot. There’s also an M.2 slot for 2280 NVMe SSDs. The ALTA DS 3 also has a GbE port, a mini-USB port with “fastboot mode only”, and 3x USB 3.0 ports. Dual 4K display including dual display mirrors and independent video playback are available via the dual HDMI ports, which are described as offering an “integrated HDMI 2.0 transmitter and dual DSI to HDMI 1.4 converters.”
The system comes with a USB-only miniPCIe slot, a SIM card slot, and an antenna mount. Dual audio jacks (WCD9335 codec), a 12V DC jack, a power button with LED, a TPM 1.2 security chip, and a Kensington lock are also available. The 0.61 kg system can be used in temperatures between 0 to 40°C and comes with a vertical stand holder and optional VESA. The VIA ALTA DS 3 is now on sale worldwide. System samples can be ordered online for US$399 plus shipping.
- What operating system does the VIA ALTA DS 3 Edge AI run?
The device runs Android 8.0 Oreo. - Can the ALTA DS 3 support neural network models trained in TensorFlow?
Yes, it uses Qualcomm’s Neural Processing SDK to operate models trained in Caffe, Caffe2, ONNX, or TensorFlow. - How much RAM is included in the VIA ALTA DS 3 mini-PC?
The system is equipped with 4GB of LPDDR4 in a POP package. - Does the device support dual 4K display output?
Yes, it offers dual 4K display capabilities including independent video playback via dual HDMI ports. - What are some example applications for this mini-PC?
Applications include facial recognition check-in systems, payment authentication for cashierless stores, and immersive multimedia signage. - Is there internal storage expansion available beyond the eMMC?
Yes, the unit has an SD slot and an M.2 slot supporting 2280 NVMe SSDs. - What connectivity options are provided on the VIA ALTA DS 3?
It features a GbE port, three USB 3.0 ports, a mini-USB port, a USB-only miniPCIe slot, and a SIM card slot. - What is the price of the VIA ALTA DS 3 Edge AI?
System samples can be ordered online for US$399 plus shipping.
