The global edge computing market is expected to grow by more than 30% in the next five years, serving mission-critical applications in the aerospace, defence, military, industrial and medical sectors. To meet this increasing demand for reliable, embedded solutions for mixed-criticality systems, Microchip Technology has announced the PIC64HX family of microprocessors (MPUs). Unlike traditional MPUs, the PIC64HX is purpose-built to address the unique demands of intelligent edge designs, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) processing. It has been designed with integrated time-sensitive networking (TSN) ethernet connectivity and post-quantum-enabled, defence-grade security. PIC64HX MPUs are specifically designed to deliver comprehensive fault tolerance, resilience, scalability and power efficiency.
“The MPU is truly groundbreaking in the number of advanced features provided with a single solution,” said Maher Fahmi, corporate vice president of Microchip’s communications business unit. “Integrating TSN ethernet switching into the MPU helps developers bring standards-based networking connectivity and compute together to simplify system designs, reduce system costs and accelerate time to market.”
The integrated ethernet switch includes a TSN feature set with support for important emerging standards: IEEE P802.1DP TSN for aerospace onboard ethernet communications, IEEE P802.1DG TSN Profile for automotive in-vehicle ethernet communications and IEEE/IEC 60802 TSN Profile for industrial automation.
Eight 64-bit RISC-V CPU cores – SiFive Intelligence X280 – with vector extensions help enable high-performance compute for mixed-criticality systems, virtualisation and vector processing to accelerate AI workloads. The PIC64HX MPU allows system developers to deploy the cores in multiple ways to enable SMP, AMP or dual-core lockstep operations. WorldGuard hardware architecture support is provided to enable hardware-based isolation and partitioning.
“Next-generation aircraft requires a new generation of processors for mission-critical applications such as flight control, cockpit display, cabin networking and engine control. The OHPERA Consortium views RISC-V technology as an essential component of the future of safe and sustainable aircraft,” said Christophe Vlacich, OHPERA technical leader. The OHPERA consortium is composed of leading aerospace companies with the mutual goal of evaluating new technologies for next-generation aircraft. “We are pleased to see the upcoming availability of commercial products like Microchip’s PIC64HX MPU with the compute performance, partitioning, connectivity and security needed to shape the future of aviation.”
The expected arrival of quantum computers poses an existential threat as it will make current security measures ineffective. As a result, government agencies and enterprises worldwide are beginning to call for the inclusion of post-quantum cryptography in any critical infrastructure. Addressing current and future security needs, the PIC64HX is one of the first MPUs on the market to support comprehensive defence-grade security including the recently NIST-standardised FIPS 203 (ML-KEM) and FIPS 204 (ML-DSA) post-quantum cryptographic algorithms.
The PIC64HX MPU is a powerful and versatile solution for intelligent edge applications addressing key requirements for low latency, security, reliability and compliance with industry standards.
