[Blog] Advancing Low Power FPGA Leadership

In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, the shift from cloud-centric to edge-centric innovation is reshaping how data is processed and utilized. This transition is driven by the increasing need for AI at the Edge, sensor to cloud connectivity, and resilient security.

FPGAs are leading the way in this transformation, offering unparalleled flexibility and performance. These versatile devices are being integrated into a wide range of applications, from datacenters to edge devices, enabling more efficient and powerful computing solutions. Coupled with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), FPGAs are enhancing the capabilities of AI models by providing accelerated processing power and adaptability. As a result, FPGAs are becoming a cornerstone in the development of next-generation technologies, driving advancements in AI, machine learning, and IoT, and paving the way for smarter, more responsive systems.

And Lattice is at the forefront of advancing FPGA technology with a focus on low power solutions, designed to meet the growing demand for energy-efficient, high-performance computing in edge applications. By developing compact FPGAs that consume minimal power, Lattice is enabling a new wave of intelligent devices that can operate efficiently in constrained environments. Continuing this leadership, today, at Lattice Developers Conference, Lattice announced compelling new power and performance optimized hardware and software solutions – delivering what’s next in low power FPGA innovation.

Advancing Small FPGA Leadership

Lattice announced Lattice Nexus™ 2 platform, the latest addition to the company’s low power, small FPGA portfolio, offering best-in-class power efficiency, performance, and small size.

Built on the proven 16 nm FinFET TSMC process technology, this new platform is created to solve growing challenges that customers are facing with its advanced power, edge connectivity, and data protection and security features. For example, the Lattice Nexus 2 platform enables key critical applications including motor control robotics, automotive zonal gateway, and edge monitoring with its exceptional data throughput, memory performance, fast flash configuration, enhanced timing closure, and parallel processing capabilities. These class-leading capabilities enhance overall efficiency, safety, data integrity, device reliability, and system performance, providing greater flexibility for developers to design various applications without constraints involving power, performance, size, and security.

Compared to similar class competitive devices, Lattice Nexus 2 delivers up to 3X lower power, up to 3.2X faster MIPI speed and up to 10X faster configuration time, all at up to 5X smaller size – enabling simplified, efficient system designs. The platform also offers advanced connectivity features including multi-protocol 16G SERDES with PCIe® Gen 4 controller, high performance I/O, high speed LPDDR4 memory interface support, and industry-leading MIPI D & C-PHY up to 7.98 Gbps. In addition, Lattice Nexus 2 brings industry-leading security features with crypto agility, post-quantum readiness, and anti-temper protection.

Furthermore, Lattice’s platform-based design approach allows rapid development of multiple product families based on a single platform. With the new Lattice Nexus 2 FPGA platform, the company plans to introduce FPGA families focused on general-purpose, video connectivity, and control & security to address the latest technological trends and design challenges.

The first of these, Lattice Certus™-N2 general purpose FPGAs, are sampling today and are supported by the latest releases of Lattice Propel™ and Lattice Radiant™ design software. This enables customers to meet the evolving demands of edge applications, implement their designs more efficiently to get their solutions to market faster.

To learn more about the details of the Lattice Nexus 2 platform and how the platform is leading power consumption, boot time, form factor, and security features compared to the competition, please download the whitepaper here.

Extending Mid-range FPGA Portfolio

Built on the award-winning Lattice Avant platform, the new Avant 30 and Avant 50 devices offer new capacity options to enable edge optimized and advanced connectivity application development. Available in all three variants of Lattice Avant (-E, -G, -X), these devices provide customers more options for connectivity, functional capacity, and features. And, by enabling developers to choose a capacity tailored to their application, they can optimize total cost of ownership and power for their application.

Ideal for implementing functions such as edge processing and edge connectivity, the Avant 30 and Avant 50 devices are designed for applications across a diverse set of end markets including Computing, Communications, Defense, Industrial, and Medical.

Expanded Software and Solution Stacks

Lattice announced new versions of Lattice Radiant™ and Lattice Propel™ software tools that support the new Lattice Nexus 2 FPGA platform, Lattice Certus-N2 FPGA family, and Lattice Avant devices, alongside new features including RISC-V® variants and improved debug, power calculation, and ease-of-use.

Lattice also announced four solution stack updates in edge AI with Lattice sensAI™, embedded vision with Lattice mVision™, factory automation with Lattice Automate™, and automotive designs with Lattice Drive™. These updates include improved performance with enhanced application-specific features and expanded IP, demo, and reference designs.

Latest FPGA Trends and Opportunities in Today’s Interconnected World

Alongside these exciting new hardware and software solutions announcement, Lattice is hosting a 2-day virtual Developers Conference featuring

• Guest keynotes from Dell, Microsoft, SICK, and Teledyne FLIR on edge AI, connectivity, and security
• 20 in-depth technical breakout sessions and trainings
• 75+ robust FPGA-based technology demonstrations with industry leading partners and customers

You can find more information and watch the replays of the keynote from Lattice executives and sessions from other industry leaders from the conference here.

If you’d like to learn more about how Lattice FPGA solutions can help you achieve your design goals and accelerate time to market, reach out to speak with the team at Lattice.