I’ve just found out Amlogic is working on S905X3, S905Y3, and S905D3 quad-core Arm Cortex-A55 processor, coupled with an AI processor normally used for voice recognition in TV boxes, following the introduction of Amlogic S905X2, S905Y2, and S905D2 processors last year, all based on the older and time-tested Arm Cortex-A53 cores.
Arm Cortex A55 was announced together with Arm Cortex A75 processor as the first core compatible with DynamIQ processing, and so far we’ve seen a few Arm Cortex-A55 cores but mostly combined with Cortex-A75. Amlogic S905D3, S905X3, and S905Y3 change all that.
We have very few details at this stage, except the new processors will have many of the same features as the S905X2/Y2/D2 models including an Arm Mali-G31 MP2 GPU, HDMI 2.1 up to 4Kp75 resolution and HDR support, 4K H.265, VP9, and AVS2 video decoding, Full HD H.265/H.264 encoding, as well as PCIe and USB 3.0 support. The “AI processor” is extra and likely the same 2.5/5.0 TOPS neural network accelerator as found in the upcoming Amlogic S922D processor.
A forum thread on Khadas forums reveals Amlogic S905D3 is also coming and should be an upgrade to Amlogic S905D2 processor, which we still don’t know much about, but the previous S905D model was specifically designed for set-top box with dual independent tuners.
Amlogic S905X3 TV boxes are also coming, and that’s a LinkedIn post about an Amlogic quad-core Cortex-A55 TV box that made me research more about the subject. The Elebao “X3” TV box above will feature the new processor, but we do not have more details at this stage.
The new processors are expected to launch later this year, as is Amlogic S805X2 processor for low-cost full HD TV boxes with “next-generation CPU and GPU”.
[Update: Video about Elebao X3 TV box at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair
It should become available next month.
Detailed Amlogic S905X3 specifications have been posted
]
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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Great news! I was hoping for a cortex A55 version, i wish they delayed the chip though and added an AV1 hardware decoder.
A55 is not that much faster than A53. Memory load store changed but not much else performance wise.
AV1 is “yet another spec” that would throw away all of the open source work done for H.265 H.264 and VP9 for the current VPU should Amlogic need to change the entire hardware block rather than add a hardware block. They need to overhaul the patent system around the world before people can adopt a license-free open video codec.
What Amlogic should build is a Cortex A7x CPU with 64-bit DDR interface, DisplayPort, and 4-8 PCI Express lanes. DDR clocks have hit the same barrier as CPUs and “there’s no replacement for displacement”.
What Amlogic need is a S922x derivative that gives Linux driven 4-8 PCI Express lanes like Da XuU says but they must be PC Nvidia, AMD Graphics card compatible inc power voltage etc. Also PC DDR memory bank slots.
It is not about taking on Intel or AMD, it is about the dawn of arm mini desktops They have the potential to be the next arm market. In My Own Opinion, those that have open minds eye, to see, are very aware Amlogic SoC have opened several new potential markets, beyond voice command home systems.
Also ” That changes with DynamicIQ architecture. This means you can have multiple CPUs in one single cluster and the number of CPUs in a single cluster has been increased to eight from the previous four limit in big.Little. So, you can have an octa-core chipset even with just one cluster. In fact, ARM predicts that a number of mid-range SoCs could go for an octa-core single cluster design with multiple CPU combinations. For example, Cortex A75 and Cortex A55 could be used in 1+7 or 2+ 6 or 4 + 4 or even just 1 + 4 combinations. With the support for multiple CPUs in a cluster, you could have lots of combinations.
ARM further predicts one particular combination to be popular among mid-range SoCs — Cortex A72 and Cortex A55 in 1 + 7 combination. This particular combination improves single thread performance up to 2.41x and multi-thread up to 1.42x as compared to an octa-core Cortex A53 SoC.
Another important feature of DynamicIQ is the presence of a DynamicIQ Shared Unit (DSU) which houses the L3 cache, takes care of power management as well as ACP and Peripheral port interfacing.
Note that as of now, only the newly announced Cortex A75 and Cortex A55 support DynamicIQ.
” GizmoChina
PCI-E would be for accelerators, FPGAs, NVMe home storage, and other stuff in non-critical applications. GPU on ARM doesn’t make sense when you have cheaper and ready to go x86 solutions. AMD has a stranglehold on this market with their APU and Linux amdgpu drivers that cost way less than an equivalent ARM platform. If anything, you would want your GPU to be integrated rather than on PCI-E on ARM systems.
64-bit DDR and DP are necessary for Chromebooks, Type C, 4K, 8K, and endpoint applications where the volume is.
Private L2 should be a notable change, though.
I know A55 has it configurable but is there any documentation where SoC states they allocated die space for private L2?
No idea, just speculating that they might.
Amlogic 2018.Q4 roadmap https://collab.osmc.tv/s/F88tIa768svNLUW#pdfviewer
Thanks. I did not have the full document, only the screenshot in the post.
awesome news
@admin could you do a very indepth review about the socs when the documentation becomes available ?
I’ll post about it once the datasheet and other documents become available.
For hardware reviews, I’ll do as well provided I can get hold of a hardware sample.
Edited end of article:
1. Added Elebao X3 video at Hong Kong Electronics Fair which should be available next month
2. Added link to Amlogic S905X3 specifications
Note that Amlogic already offers A55 SoC.
The T950X2 and T962X2 are based on A55 with the “new” Mali-G31 GPU.
The T series is for TV and projectors.