Sapphire Edge+ VPR-4616-MB mini-ITX motherboard features "AMD Embedded+" architecture with Ryzen R2314 & Versal VE2302

Sapphire Edge+ VPR-4616-MB is a new mini-ITX motherboard on the “new” AMD Embedded+ “architecture” comprised of an AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 processor and an AMD Versal AI Edge VE2302 adaptive SoC (also called FPGA SoC…).

The motherboard supports up to 64GB ECC/non-ECC DDR4 memory for the CPU, 8GB of memory for the adaptive SoC, supports SATA and NVMe storage, dual video output, 2.5GbE networking, and offers a range of USB ports and M.2 sockets for expansion. AMD Embedded+ solutions target sensor fusion, AI inferencing, industrial networking, control, and visualization applications.

SAPPHIRE Edge+ VPR-4616-MB specifications:

AMD Embedded+ Architecture
- Adaptive SoC Subsystem
  - Main IC – AMD Versal AI Edge VE2302 with dual Arm Cortex-A72 core processor @ up to 1.6 GHz, dual-core Arm Cortex-R5F, 23 TOPS AI engine, FPGA fabric, etc…
  - System Memory – 2x 4GB LPDDR4
  - Storage
    - 1Gbit OSPI NOR flash for local boot
    - 64 Kbit EEPROM for Board-ID
  - Expansion
    - 160-pin IO expansion socket
    - PCIe Gen3 x 4
  - Security – TPM 2.0 (Infineon OPTIGA TPM SLM 9670)
  - Misc – 1x Done LED, 1x ERROR_OUT LED
- APU IC – AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 quad-core Zen processor @ 2.1/3.5GHz with 6x GPU core; TDP: 12 to 35W
APU System Memory – 2x DDR4-Up to 2667 Max. 64GB (ECC & non-ECC)
Storage
- M.2 NVMe SSD support (See Expansion section)
- 1x SATA 3.0 (6.0 Gb/s), 1x SATA PWR
Video Output – 1x DP, 1x HDMI
Audio – 3.5mm Line-Out and Mic-In audio jacks
Networking – 2.5GbE RJ45 port, optional Wifi and Bluetooth via M.2 module
USB
- 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports
- 2x USB 2.0 Type-A ports
- 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port
- 1x USB 2.0 interface on internal header
Serial – 1x RS232/422/485 COM port, 1x RS232/422/485 via internal header
Expansion slots
- 1x M.2 Key-M 2280 for SSD (PCIe Gen3 x4 and SATA)
- 1x M.2 Key-E 2230 for Wireless/BT (PCIe Gen3 x1 and USB2.0)
Misc
- 2x 5-pin front panel header (e.g. for power button)
- 8-bit GPIO
- Active cooler
Power Input – 12V – 19V DC via barrel back or ATX 2×2 power header
Power Consumption – As low as 30W typ.
Dimensions – 170 x 170mm (Mini-ITX form factor)
Temperature Range – 0°C to 60°C

Supported operating systems include RHEL/CentOS 7.9, RHEL 8.2- 8.6, and Ubuntu 22.04. SAPPHIRe also provides IO Expansion boards (dual GbE, 8x GMSL2 cameras, 2x 10/25Gb Ethernet board with 16 GPIO), and says the EDGE+ VPR-4616-MB is a suitable platform for “ultra high-speed performance/watt applications” such as robot controller with motion planning or a medical PC with connected probes.

As I understand it, the just-announced “AMD Embedded+ architecture” is nothing new from a hardware point-of-view since the Ryzen Embedded R2000 series processors and Versal AI Ege FPGA SoCs have been around for a few years, but AMD aims to provide all-in-one motherboards through partners along with a “common software infrastructure” in order to accelerate time-to-market for original design manufacturers (ODMs). There also seems to be a certification/qualification program for Embedded+ hardware.

The AMD Embedded+ qualified SAPPHIRE VPR-4616-MB motherboard is said to be available now, but pricing has not been made public. More details about the motherboard can be found on the product page, and you’ll find further information about the Embedded+ architecture on the AMD website.

Thanks to TLS for the tip.

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

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.