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ModRetro M64 – An AMD Artix UltraScale+ FPGA based open-source Nintendo 64-compatible console with original cartridge support

M64 Console Clear

ModRetro has announced the M64, an open-source Nintendo 64-compatible console powered by an AMD Artix UltraScale+ FPGA, designed to play original cartridges using hardware-level emulation instead of software. The M64’s reliance on an AMD Artix FPGA enables accurate and responsive gameplay, and the console supports original game cartridges and controllers, while also adding modern connectivity features such as HDMI, WiFi, Bluetooth, and USB-C. ModRetro M64 specifications: FPGA – AMD Artix UltraScale+ (16nm architecture) Memory – PSRAM Storage – MicroSD card slot (for firmware updates and potential homebrew applications) Media Interfaces – Dedicated Nintendo 64 physical cartridge slot for original retro media preservation and play. Display – HDMI port (upscaling for modern TVs, supporting custom video filters like Scan Line and CRT profiles) Audio – Digital audio output via HDMI Connectivity Bluetooth with advanced “SCI” wireless mode (ModRetro’s own low-latency protocol) Wi-Fi support for firmware upgrade USB – 3x USB-C ports […]

AMD launches Versal Prime Gen 2 2VM3454, 2VM3254, and 2VM3104 adaptive SoCs in compact 23x23mm packages

MD Versal Prime Gen 2 Adaptive SoC 2VM3454, 2VM3254, and 2VM3104

AMD has added three new chips to its Versal Prime Series Gen 2 lineup: the Versal 2VM3454, 2VM3254, and 2VM3104. Designed for space-constrained applications like Pro AV, broadcast, and industrial IoT, these new devices deliver up to 100K DMIPS of scalar compute in packages as small as 23 x 23 mm. AMD started shipping the first production units of the Versal Prime Gen2 Series with the 2VM3858 device late last year. The 2VM3558 has since entered full production, while the 2VM3358 is currently sampling. These new devices are designed to provide an optimized footprint and processing subsystem compared to the earlier models. Despite the reduction in core count, AMD claims these devices can deliver up to 5x the scalar compute performance compared to existing AMD adaptive SoCs. AMD Versal Prime Series Gen 2 (2VM3104, 2VM3254, and 2VM3454) specifications: Processor Subsystem (PS) APU – Quad-core Arm Cortex-A78AE with 64 KB L1 […]

AMD Versal Prime VM2152 mid-range adaptive SoC features 112 Gbps GTM Transceivers, 600Gbps Ethernet, DDR5/LPDDR5

AMD Versal Prime Series

The AMD Versal Prime VM2152 adaptive SoC is designed as a mid-range device for high-speed connectivity, with 112 Gbps transceivers and 600 GbE networking in a power-efficient package. It balances programmable logic with hardened IP blocks to simplify the design of high-throughput systems used in wired communications, aerospace, and test and measurement, without the higher power and complexity of high-end FPGAs. Compared to the AMD Versal Prime VP1902, the VM2152 focuses more on I/O performance rather than raw logic density. While the VP1902 offers more logic cells, the VM2152 adds support for LPDDR5 memory up to 6400 Mb/s and includes a 400 Gbps High-Speed Crypto engine, making it suitable for faster, more secure data processing than Agilex 7. AMD Versal Prime VM2152 specifications: Processor Subsystem APU – Dual-core Arm Cortex-A72 with 48 KB / 32 KB L1 Cache (with parity & ECC) and 1 MB L2 Cache (with ECC) Real-time […]

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS “Resolute Raccoon” released with Linux 7.0

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS

Canonical has just announced the release of Ubuntu 26.04 LTS “Resolute Raccoon” Linux distribution about two years after Ubuntu 24.04 LTS “Noble Numbat” was introduced. The new version of the operating system comes with the just-released Linux 7.0 kernel, GNOME 50, and a range of updates and new features. As a long-term support release, Ubuntu 26.04 LTS will be supported for 5 years until April 2031, and an Ubuntu Pro subscription provides access to ESM (Expanded Security Maintenance) updates for ten years, or until April 2036. One of the benefits of using the latest Linux 7.0 kernel is support for Intel Core Ultra Series 3 “Panther Lake” processors, including Intel Xe3 integrated graphics and the integrated NPU (Neural Processing Unit) optimizations, which may also benefit Wildcat Lake processors (aka Panther Lake Lite). Canonical also highlights TPM-backed full-disk encryption, improved support for application permission prompting, Livepatch updates for Arm-based servers, and […]

AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P100 series expands with up to 12 Zen 5 cores, 80 TOPS of AI performance

AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P100 series Embedded World 2026

At CES 2026, we saw AMD launch its new Ryzen AI Embedded P100 series of SoCs, with four- and six-core models designed for Edge AI. At the time of writing, the lineup had six SKUs, with higher-core variants to be announced later. Now at Embedded World 2026, AMD has expanded the Ryzen AI Embedded P100 series with six additional SKUs available in commercial and industrial temperature grades, while the automotive-grade SoCs remain unchanged. The new SOCs integrate 8-12 Zen 5 CPU cores (upgrade from 4-6 cores ), RDNA 3.5 graphics, and an XDNA 2 NPU on a single chip to deliver up to 80 TOPS (upgrade from 50 TOPS) of combined/system AI performance AMD claims up to 39% higher multithreaded CPU performance and 2.1× higher total system TOPS compared to Ryzen Embedded 8000 Series. They support unified CPU-GPU memory, enabling low-latency processing for tasks such as multi-camera machine vision, Visual […]

AMD Kintex UltraScale+ Gen 2 mid-range FPGA family to be available until at least 2045

AMD Kintex UltraScale+ Gen 2

AMD Kintex UltraScale+ Gen 2 is a mid-range FPGA family designed for the broadcast, test, industrial, and medical markets, which provides an update to the Spartan UltraScale+ FPGA family introduced in 2024, and promises availability until at least 2045. Key features include high-speed transceivers and PCIe Gen4 for support of 4K AV-over-IP, multi-stream capture, and frame-accurate transport, increased memory bandwidth for semiconductor test and inspection systems, and advanced imaging and real-time control for machine vision, industrial automation, medical imaging, and robotic systems. AMD Kintec UltraScale+ Gen2 key features AMD says the Kintex UltraScale+ Gen 2 devices deliver up to 5x increase in memory bandwidth when comparing the AMD Kintex UltraScale+ Gen 2 XC2KU040P and XC2KU050P FPGAs to the previous generation Kintex UltraScale+ FPGA, and up to 2x higher channel density per PCIe interface compared to the Altera Agilex A5EC065A FPGA. The company further states that compared to “competing platforms”, the family delivers […]

Congatec conga-TCRP1 COM Express Type 6 module features AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P100 SoC with 50 TOPS NPU

conga TCRP1 COM Express Compact (Type 6) module with AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P100 Series SoCs

Congatec conga-TCRP1 is a COM Express 3.1 Type 6 Compact module powered by the newly announced AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P100 Series processors, which feature AMD’s latest Zen 5 architecture, RDNA 3.5 graphics, and an XDNA 2 NPU for 59 TOPS of combined AI performance, including up to 50 TOPS from the NPU. The module supports up to 96 GB of DDR5-5600 memory and is available in 4-core and 6-core variants with a configurable 15 W to 54 W TDP, allowing both passive and active cooling designs. It supports up to four independent displays, offers PCIe Gen4 and PEG x4 expansion, and includes 2.5 GbE, USB 3.2 Gen 2, and USB 2.0 ports, along with SATA or optional onboard NVMe storage options. Additional features include TPM 2.0, UEFI firmware, and hardware monitoring. The module is available in both commercial and industrial variants with operating temperatures down to -40 °C, which […]

AMD launches Ryzen AI Embedded P100 and X100 processors with up to 50 TOPS of AI performance

AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P100 X100 SoC

AMD has introduced the Ryzen AI Embedded P100 and X100 x86 processors designed to power AI-driven applications at the edge, such as automotive digital cockpits, smart healthcare equipment, and humanoid robotics. AMD had previously launched several Ryzen Embedded families, starting with the Ryzen Embedded V1000 in 2018, and more recently, the Ryzen Embedded 8000 family with a 16 TOPS NPU, yet without “AI” in the name. The new AMD Ryzen AI Embedded family is based on high-performance “Zen 5” core architecture, an RDNA 3.5 GPU for real-time visualization and graphics, and an XDNA 2 NPU for low-latency, low-power AI acceleration. The P100 Series processors target in-vehicle infotainment and industrial automation, while the X100 Series processors feature higher CPU core counts and AI TOPS performance for more demanding physical AI and autonomous systems. Six models are currently available in the Ryzen AI Embedded P100 family: AMD Ryzen AI P121, P123, P121i, […]