Renesas Sets New MCU Performance Bar with 1-GHz RA8P1 Devices with AI Acceleration

Renesas Electronics introduced the RA8P1 microcontroller (MCU) Group targeted at Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) applications, as well as real-time analytics. Designed for running AI on device, the new MCUs establish a new performance level by combining 1GHz Arm Cortex-M85 and 250MHz Cortex-M33 CPU cores with the Arm Ethos-U55 Neural Processing Unit (NPU). This combination delivers the highest CPU performance of over 7300 CoreMarks and AI performance of 256 GOPS at 500MHz.

Cadence unveiled a new generation of Cache-Coherent HiFi 5s symmetric multiprocessors (SMP), engineered to drive next-generation audio solutions for challenges such as generative AI-driven sound, immersive experiences, and advanced infotainment systems. The new HiFi 5s multicore DSPs offer scalable performance across 2-8 cores, a streamlined multicore programming with cache coherency, and compatibility with trusted platforms such as Zephyr and FreeRTOS. This accelerates audio development, simplifying considerably software design and optimization.

Enter Sonical Headphone 3.0. A fully integrated approach for the product development of headphones and earbuds that allows consumers to load their own apps. audioXpress talked to Gary Spittle, the CEO and founder of Sonical, a young company that developed a chip and a real-time operating system for headphones and hearables. "Hearables should not be defined by the functions of a chip or the Bluetooth profiles, there is a lot more that product makers want to do," says Gary Spittle, the CEO and founder of Sonical.

British chip company XMOS announced the launch of the XVF3610 and XVF3615 next generation voice processors. These high-performance two-mic voice interfaces for wireless speakers, TVs, set-top boxes, smart home appliances, gateway products and more, are built on the company's xcore.ai chip infrastructure, and are available in a cost-effective and easy-to-integrate package. XMOS also kick-started an alpha program for its all new ‘Avona’ voice reference design.