Intelligence processor gets smarter

SiFive has  released the latest version of its SiFive Intelligence X280 processor, which introduces  new features including scalability up to a 16-core cache-coherent complex, WorldGuard trusted protection, and an interface allowing for integration between the X280 vector unit and customer-designed external AI accelerators or other coprocessors, called VCIX (Vector Coprocessor Interface eXtension).

Collectively, these enhanced features deliver scalability, security, and interoperability to the SiFive X280, the most widely adopted implementation of the RISC-V Vector extension.

This latest version of the X280 is suitable for those looking for alternatives to legacy SIMD-style architectures.

Publicly available since April 2021, the SiFive Intelligence X280 has seen rapid adoption as customers gravitate towards its unique combination of performance, power efficiency, and an intuitive programming model.

The X280 has claimed double-digit design wins in the past six months alone, in a wide variety of data-driven applications, including AI inference, image processing, datacenter acceleration, and automotive use cases.

The X280 SiFive® Intelligence X280 is a multi-core and multi-cluster capable RISC-V processor with full support of the RISC-V vector extension standard and SiFive Intelligence Extensions and is optimized for AI/ML compute at the edge.

The X280 is also ideal for applications requiring high-throughput, single-thread performance while under power constraints (e.g., AR, VR, sensor hubs, IVI systems, IP cameras, digital cameras, and gaming devices).

Several unique and important new SiFive features include:

Multi-cluster: SiFive has built upon our industry-first multi-cluster RISC-V solution in the X280, which offers up to 4 clusters of 4-core complexes and scaling to multi-TOP performance.

VCIX (Vector Coprocessor Interface eXtension): This innovative vector coprocessor accelerator interface allows for seamless integration with customer AI architectures including a wide and growing number of 3^rd party accelerators, enabling easily programmed, low latency data movement between the host processor and customer owned AI accelerator solutions.

WorldGuard Ready: SiFive’s implementation of the open standard WorldGuard security solution brings a trusted execution environment to high core count platforms to protect your AI/ML algorithm against malicious attacks and offers an alternative to legacy security solutions.

For more information about SiFive vector solutions visit sifive.com/technology/vectors. For more information about the SiFive Intelligence X280 visit sifive.com/cores/intelligence-x280.

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