Overview

Description

Artificial Intelligence (AI) used in deep neural networks is already providing new value for the IT segment. Although many people expect to implement embedded applications with AI, AI processing requires many calculations, making it difficult to adapt to embedded devices using traditional solutions with CPU or GPU, due to insufficient performance or large power consumption demands. Also, AI is constantly evolving, and new algorithms are developed from time to time.

In the midst of the rapid evolution of AI, Renesas developed the AI accelerator (DRP-AI) and the software (DRP-AI translator) that delivers both high performance and low power consumption, and have the ability to respond to evolution. Combining the DRP-AI and the DRP-AI translator makes AI inference possible with high power efficiency, which the current AI technology is unable to support.

The AI model can be extended with the continuous update of the DRP-AI translator.

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DRP-AI Features

Features of DRP-AI

DRP-AI consists of AI-MAC (multiply-accumulate processor) and DRP (reconfigurable processor). AI processing can be executed at high speed by assigning AI-MAC for operations on the convolution layer and fully connected layer, and DRP for other complex processing such as preprocessing and pooling layer.

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DRP-AI consists of AI-MAC (multiply-accumulate processor) and DRP (reconfigurable processor)

For more detailed technical information on DRP-AI, please refer to the following white paper.
White Paper: Embedded AI-Accelerator DRP-AI (PDF | English, 日本語)

While most AI accelerators specialize only in AI inference and rely on the CPU for pre- and post-processing, DRP-AI integrates pre- and post-processing and AI inference into a single DRP-AI hardware to achieve superior AI processing performance.

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AI Processing Performance

Tool: DRP-AI Translator / DRP-AI TVM※1

DRP-AI Translator and DRP-AI TVM are tools that are available to convert trained AI models into a format that can run on DRP-AI. This section describes the features of these two tools.
The DRP-AI Translator is a tool that is tuned to maximize DRP-AI performance. DRP-AI achieves high-speed performance, low power consumption and reduced CPU load by enabling DRP-AI to perform all the operations of an AI model.
DRP-AI TVM applies the DRP-AI accelerator to the proven ML compiler framework Apache TVM※2」. This enables support for multiple AI frameworks (ONNX, PyTorch, TensorFlow, etc.). In addition, it enables operation in conjunction with the CPU, allowing more AI models to be run.

These two tools can be selected according to the customer's product application.

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Selectable tools

The table below lists the AI model formats and products (MPUs) supported by each tool.

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Support for each tool

The table below shows the download site for each tool, a brief description of the tool and information on deliverables.

  DRP-AI Translator DRP-AI TVM
Tool Download DRP-AI Translator (Renesas Web) DRP-AI TVM (GitHub)
Tool summary description DDRP-AI Translator explanation page DRP-AI TVM explanation page
Implementation guide Included in the DRP-AI Support Package README on GitHub to guide you through the implementation process
Sample Code Performance evaluation samples available on GitHub
AI evaluation software
DRP-AI drivers Included in the DRP-AI Support Package
Linux Available in Linux Package Available in Linux Package

Software: DRP-AI Support Package

The DRP-AI Support Package provides the driver and guide needed to operate DRP-AI. Download the DRP-AI now to experience the seamless AI development from open software to device implementation.

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DRP-AI Support Package
 

*1 DRP-AI TVM is powered by EdgeCortix MERATM Compiler Framework
2 For more information on Apache TVM, please refer to https://tvm.apache.org

Software

Software & Tool Pages

DRP-AI TVM (GitHub)We provide an AI model conversion tool (DRP-AI TVM) for DRP-AI-equipped products. When using this product, please check the contents of the linked README.md first. Software Package Renesas
DRP-AI Translator [V1.81]This is an AI model conversion tool (DRP-AI Translator) for DRP-AI equipped products. Please check the Release Notes and User's Manual first before using this product. Software Package Renesas
RZ/V2L DRP-AI Support Package [V7.30]This product provides the software and documentation for DRP-AI embedded within RZ/V2L. Please read the release note included in this first when you use this product. Software Package Renesas
RZ/V2M DRP-AI Support Package [V7.30]This product provides the software and documentation for DRP-AI embedded within RZ/V2M. Software Package Renesas
RZ/V2MA DRP-AI Support Package[V7.31]This product provides the software and documentation for DRP-AI embedded within RZ/V2MA. Software Package Renesas

Software Downloads

Title Type Date
ZIP2,551.92 MB
Related Files:
Software & Tools - Software
ZIP2,134.15 MB
Related Files:
Software & Tools - Software
ZIP2,816.66 MB
Related Files:
Software & Tools - Software

Documentation

Title Type Date
PDF642 KB日本語
White Paper
PDF1.28 MB
Manual - Development Tools
PDF327 KB
Release Note
White Paper

Videos & Training

Boost Vision AI Power Efficiency Using DRP-AI Accelerator

DRP-AI Accelerator embedded in RZ/V series MPUs provides high-speed AI processing while keeping high power efficiency at the endpoints.