The rapid development of embedded artificial intelligence has led to an increasing demand for high-performance computing. In order to balance performance and power consumption, as well as accelerate computing through parallelization, more and more embedded processors are adopting designs of homogeneous multi-core, heterogeneous multi-core, and co-processors.At the same time, facing an increasingly complex external environment, domestic embedded intelligent systems cannot do without heterogeneous multi-core domestic intelligent chips and domestic basic software that balance strong real-time performance and high computing power. The demand for hybrid critical systems based on intelligent chips is particularly strong in industrial intelligent systems. Hybrid critical systems are one of the important directions for the future technological evolution of embedded systems. Currently, typical applications can be seen in fields such as autonomous driving, service robots, and automotive electronics, showing positive development trends in industrial and national defense fields.What is Multi-Core Heterogeneity?Multi-core heterogeneity refers to the presence of multiple cores in a single SoC, where all cores are not of the same type (their architectures and instruction sets are not the same). For example, some cores may be specifically designed for high-performance computing, while others may be designed for energy efficiency. This design can better balance performance and power consumption, but programming becomes more complex as it requires consideration of how to allocate tasks to different cores.Multi-core design can improve performance through parallel processing, especially when dealing with tasks that have a high degree of parallelism (for example, graphics rendering or scientific computing), multi-core design can greatly enhance performance.What are the Advantages of Multi-Core Heterogeneous SoC Processors?Compared to single-core processors, multi-core heterogeneous SoC processors can provide more combinations of advantages in terms of performance, cost, power consumption, and size, with different architectures performing their respective roles and leveraging their unique advantages. For instance:· ARM is cost-effective and energy-efficient, excelling in control operations and multimedia display.· DSP is inherently designed for digital signal processing, excelling in specialized algorithm computations.· FPGA excels in high-speed, multi-channel data acquisition and signal transmission.Meanwhile, multi-core heterogeneous SoC processors can quickly transmit and share data among cores through various communication methods, achieving a perfect effect of 1+1>2.Development of Inter-Core Communication for Multi-Core Heterogeneous SoCTo fully leverage the performance of heterogeneous multi-core SoC processors, aside from the semiconductor manufacturers’ hardware packaging of the chips, the key point lies in the design of the software and hardware mechanisms for inter-core communication. Below, we will explain inter-core communication using the Dongsheng IoT DSOM-040R RK3588 core board as an example:
DSOM-040R
is a B2B core board developed by Dongsheng based on the Rockchip RK3588 chip, equipped with 4 A76 core processors and 4 A55 core processors. Dongsheng provides an AMP SDK for this, where the A76 cores run the Linux system as the Master of the entire AMP system, mainly responsible for network communication, display, and customer application functions, with the Linux kernel natively supporting Preempt-RT; while one or more A55 cores run the RTOS real-time system as the Slave in the AMP system framework, mainly responsible for data acquisition, interface control, and real-time applications, with the Master and Slave systems communicating and sharing memory through the standard RPMsg protocol.
The AMP multi-core heterogeneous capabilities of DSOM-040R have significant advantages in industrial control applications, as industrial control currently requires high computing power for video algorithms and NPU for local edge computing applications, which necessitates the Master Linux system to execute, while some industrial protocols that require high rates and low latency (such as Ethercat, EIP, Profinet, etc.) are more suitable for execution by the Slave RTOS system. Two different systems work together to execute.
We have discussed the inter-core communication principles and multi-core heterogeneous application advantages of the Dongsheng IoT DSOM-040R RK3588 core board. Next, let’s take a closer look at its performance. The DSOM-040R RK3588 core board adopts ARM architecture, advanced 8nm process technology, integrating 4-core Cortex-A76 + 4-core Cortex-A55 architecture, with A76 core frequencies reaching up to 2.4GHz, A55 core frequencies reaching up to 1.8GHz, and a dedicated NEON co-processor, providing strong performance support; supporting 8K ultra-clear display, four-screen display, equipped with rich high-speed data communication interfaces and functional interfaces, to meet the product customization needs of different industries. Many powerful embedded hardware engines provide optimized performance for high-end applications.
The Dongsheng IoT DSOM-040R RK3588 core board supports a combination of AMP system architectures with Linux, RTOS, and Bare-metal. One or more cores run Linux, while other cores run RTOS or Bare-metal, with complete isolation at the operating system scheduling level, offering the following advantages:
· The Linux kernel natively supports Preempt-RT· Flexible resource allocation· Achievable microsecond-level interrupt response latency (<5us)· Provides standard RPMsg inter-core communication solutions· Meets the strong real-time and high stability requirements of industrial applicationsSince high real-time tasks are handled by cores running bare-metal programs, this operating mode can effectively meet the high real-time requirements in fields such as power internet, grid relay protection, power system safety control, and industrial automation.
The main specifications of DSOM-040R RK3588 core board are as follows:
The Dongsheng IoT team has currently launched 4 mainstream systems for the DSOM-040R RK3588 core board, supporting Android 12.0, Ubuntu desktop and server versions, Debian 11, and Buildroot; supporting RTLinux kernel, equipped with rich development resources and professional FAE team support.
The Dongsheng IoT DSOM-042R RK3588M core board is based on Rockchip’s flagship intelligent cockpit chip, utilizing a hardware structure design of CPU + GPU + NPU, adopting an 8nm process technology, with 4-core ARM Cortex A76 + 4-core ARM Cortex A55 CPU, achieving up to 100K DMIPS. The G610 MP4 GPU has a computing power of up to 512 GFLOPS. It has a built-in 6 TOPS computing power NPU, supporting hybrid quantization and multi-model parallel computing, comparable to the intelligent processing capability of edge boxes. It also has a built-in ISP with dual-channel 16 million pixel processing capabilities and 8K video encoding and decoding capabilities.In addition, the RK3588M can support up to 16 channels of 1080P camera input, applying 360-degree surround computing power, allowing real-time feedback of the external environment data collected by sensors to the screen, enabling the driver to quickly understand the surrounding environment and provide timely warnings before danger occurs.A single RK3588M can simultaneously drive 5 screens inside the vehicle, including the central control, electronic rearview mirror, and headrest screen. The entire solution has a high degree of integration, providing users with a safe, reliable, and enjoyable intelligent driving experience.
DSOM-042R RK3588M core board main specifications are as follows:
The Dongsheng IoT team has currently launched 2 mainstream systems for the DSOM-042R RK3588M core board, namely Android 12 and Ubuntu 18.04, equipped with rich development resources and professional FAE team support.
This article is an analysis of the multi-core heterogeneous processor based on the Dongsheng IoT RK3588 core board, aiming to help more engineering friends understand multi-core heterogeneous processors and assist them in solving problems encountered during the development process.DongshengDSOM-04X seriescore boards adopt multi-core heterogeneous RK3588 solutions, providing powerful performance, and performing outstandingly in fields such as industrial control and intelligent automotive applications.
Currently, the Dongsheng IoT RK3588 series core boards have a wealth of customer application cases, such as successfully developing industrial control boards based on the Dongsheng 3588 core board, achieving AI 3D mapping in the real estate and education industries; developing high-performance cameras for facial recognition in public security projects; developing intelligent navigation terminals for vehicles; developing intelligent cash register terminals, etc.
For more customer case applications and core board customization development services, feel free to consult Dongsheng IoT. We will sincerely provide you with the most professional answers and services to help your products quickly go to market and create a better future.Scan to ConsultAbout Dongsheng IoT
Dongsheng (Dusun) was established in 2005 and has a subsidiary, Hangzhou Ruanku Technology Co., Ltd. Dongsheng IoT focuses on embedded hardware and software development and IoT communication technology, providing professional one-stop embedded IoT product solutions for customers to address the “fragmentation of scenes” problem arising from the integration of IoT and industry applications. With rapid OEM/ODM capabilities, professional service capabilities, and complete solution capabilities, it enjoys a good reputation in the industry. Its rapid OEM capabilities support changes in logos, packaging, firmware, etc., while ODM capabilities support multiple types of chip platforms, multiple operating systems, and modular standard functional modules, quickly meeting customers’ diverse needs, effectively shortening product development cycles, and providing customers with flexible customization of various IoT embedded products, achieving one-stop service from concept to finished product.
