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.