When AMD unveiled the Ryzen Embedded V1000 in Feb. 2018, the chipmaker claimed the x86-based CPU delivered twice the performance of its earlier R-Series chips. Now, the chipmaker has introduced a stripped-down Ryzen Embedded R1000 variant with the same low power consumption as the old R-Series while still offering considerably better CPU and GPU performance.
The Ryzen Embedded R1000 offers the same Zen CPU and Vega GPU cores as the V1000 while providing “3x generational performance improvement per watt” compared to the R-Series Merlin Falcon. The Linux-friendly chips are hardware and software compatible with the V1000.
The R1000 is designed for fanless embedded systems in applications including digital displays, high-performance edge computing, networking, and thin clients. Early adopters include Atari, which is using it for its VCS console, and Ibase, which announced an SBC and signage player (see farther below).
Ryzen Embedded R1000 models
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The 14nm FinFET fabricated Ryzen Embedded R1000 is available initially in two very similar R1606G and R1505G models. Like the lowest end V1202B version of the V1000, the new SoCs offer dual-core, quad-threaded CPUs, triple-core GPUs, and 12-25W TDPs. They similarly provide 1MB L2 and 4MB L3 cache. Like all the Zen-based chips, they ship in an FP5 BGA form factor.
Although the R1000 lacks the support for 4x independent [email protected] displays available with all the V1000 models, it does offer triple 4K displays. The first two models are also faster than the V1202B. The R1606G has a 2.6GHz (3.5GHz boost) CPU and the R1505G goes to 2.4GHz/3.3GHz.
Ryzen Embedded R1000 benchmarks
(Source: AMD)
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Like the V1202B, the lower-end R1505G has a 1GHz GPU, while the R1606G clocks its Vega GPU cores to 1.2GHz. Video support includes VP9 10-bit decode, H.265 10-bit decode and 8-bit encode, and H.264 encode and decode.
Security features are the same as those on the V1000, including an AMD Secure Processor “that encrypts data before it feeds to the I/O” and Platform Secure Boot capabilities, says AMD. One-time programmable (OTP) capabilities enable system designers to manage their own keys.
Ryzen Embedded R1000 and block diagram
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Like the two lower-end V1000 models, the R1000 SoCs support up to 2400MT/s DDR4 instead of 3200MT/s on the two higher end V1000 chips. As with the V1000 models except the dual-core V1202B, the R1000 chips support up to dual 10GbE ports as well as various 1GbE and 2.5GbE configurations.
Like Intel’s latest 8th Gen, low-power Whiskey Lake-U CPUs, the chips support USB 3.1 Gen2 for up to 10Gbps throughput. Like the V1000, the R1000 SoC can drive up to 4x USB 3.1 ports as well as a USB Type-C port with DP support. PCIe support tops out at 8x lanes rather than 16x on the V1000. Other I/O support is mostly the same, including dual SATA and NVMe support.
The default OS for the R1000 is Mentor Embedded Linux (MEL) from Siemens. This Yocto Project flavored distro is now called “MEL Flex OS” to differentiate it from the new binary Debian version, called MEL Omni OS. AMD also lists support for Ubuntu 18.04.1, Yocto 2.5, and Windows 10.
 Atari VCS |
Early adopters: Atari VCS, Ibase SBC, and more
Early R1000 adopters include Advantech, ASRock Industrial, Atari, Axiomtek, DFI, Ibase, Kontron, MEN, Netronome, Quixant, Sapphire, Stratacache, and zSpace. Atari will be using it for its Ubuntu powered Atari VCS in place of the originally announced AMD A1 CPU. “With the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1000 powering the Atari VCS, we can support the 4K 60fps HDR content that users expect from a modern, secure gaming and entertainment system,” stated Michael Arzt, COO of Atari Connected Devices.
Stratacache will use the R1000 in upcoming multi-output digital signage players across its Stratacache, Scala, X2O Media, and Real Digital Media product families. Netronome plans to make R1000-based networking solutions, security appliances, and edge cloud computing systems. Quixant will deploy the SoC in a lower-end version of its V1000-based QXi-7000 casino gaming system called the QXi-7000 LITE.
Ibase SI-323-N and IB918
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Ibase Technology
offered more details on an upcoming 3.5-inch IB918 SBC and SI-323-N signage player. The IB918 supports either R1000 model. You can load up to 32GB DDR4-2400 including ECC memory.
The IB918 SBC offers a SATA III port and an M.2 M-key interface for storage as well as 2x M.2 slots for 2280/2230 card expansion. Other features include 2x HDMI, 1x eDP, 2x GbE, and 4x USB 3.1 ports. There’s a 12-24V DC input and an optional heatsink with fan.
The SI-323-N digital signage player, which follows Ibase’s V1000-based SI-324, uses the higher-end R1606G model with the faster Vega GPU. The fanless system offers 3x HDMI 2.0 ports with independent audio and hardware EDID support.
Further information
The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1000 will be available to ODMs and OEMs worldwide later in this current second quarter. More information may be found in AMD’s R1000 announcement and product page.