7Th Generation Intel® Core™ Processors Are All About Video Kenton Williston

TECHNICAL BRIEF

7th Generation Intel® Core™ Processors Are All About Video Kenton Williston

The 7th Generation Intel® Core™ processor family (formerly Updated 4k Video Engine codenamed Kaby Lake) is full of surprises. On one hand, Prior to the current generation, Intel® Core™ processors the CPU gets only a modest speed boost—a break from the only supported full hardware encode and decode for usual “tick-tock” upgrade cycle. On the other hand, video MPEG-2, VC-1, VP8, and H.264 codecs. The latest VP9 gets major performance and power improvements— and HEVC codecs, aka H.265, were supported through a particularly for 4k video. combination of dedicated hardware and CPU processing.

Why did Intel prioritize video and power efficiency over In contrast, the 7th Generation Intel Core processor family CPU performance? Simple. For many applications, the implements full hardware encode and decode support for ® 6th Generation Intel Core™ processor family (formerly both HEVC Main and Main 10 profiles, as well as Google’s codenamed Skylake) already had plenty of CPU VP9 8-bit codec. VP9 10-bit decode is supported in performance. But many apps needed more visual hardware as well. (See Figure 1.) oomph, and every app benefits from better efficiency. The differences are particularly notable for 4k video. Video-focused applications like digital security surveillance, The updated GPU can decode up to eight 4Kp30 AVC digital signage, and media transcoding are particularly likely and HEVC streams simultaneously, and can play back to benefit. Let’s take a look under the hood to see why. premium content at 4Kp60. AVC encode performance has also been boosted.

Figure 1. The 7th gen Intel® Core™ processor adds major new video capabilities. TECHNICAL BRIEF

Figure 2. The new video hardware dramatically lowers power consumption.

The new hardware also lowers power consumption All 7th Gen Intel Core processors support embedded considerably. Intel says the new processors draw as little DisplayPort 1.4 (eDP 1.4). This new standard reduces as 1/7th the power for 4k VP9 playback compared to their power consumption with partial frame updates when in PSR 6th Gen Intel® Core™ counterparts (Figure 2). Additional (Panel Self Refresh) mode, reduces the interface voltage, low-level tweaks to the video quality engine and its allows for regional backlight control, and can handle mainstream codec support should deliver increased multi-touch panel data directly over the display interface. power efficiency. Last but not least, 6th and 7th Gen Intel Core processors All of these features will benefit manufacturers transitioning are socket-compatible, with identical TDP brackets—and to HEVC and that codec’s 40-50% reduction in bandwidth the 7th Gen Intel Core processor can be dropped into an for a given image quality. As an added bonus, Intel has existing design without replacing the chipset. Of course, improved wireless display support, implemented support this drop-in upgrade would miss out on some features. for the Rec. 2020 color standard, and High Dynamic Range For example, the older chipset does not support Intel (HDR) tone mapping is now supported. Optane technology. Nonetheless, the simplicity of the drop-in upgrade makes it a compelling option for Additional Features, Upgrades many systems. I/O upgrades round out the picture. Memory interfaces get new support for DDR4 1.2V up to 2400. Some of the 7th Three Use Cases Gen Intel® Core™ processors also support Intel® Optane™ Having discussed the specific advantages of 7th Gen Intel technology (aka 3D XPoint™ memory media). Intel Optane Core processors, let’s turn to specific examples of how these is a non-volatile storage medium with much better capabilities have been deployed in embedded systems. performance than NAND flash, 3x better endurance, and 30% of NAND flash’s power consumption. One Intel Optane-compatible solution is discussed below. TECHNICAL BRIEF

The Axiomtek OPS500-501-H is a digital signage player that supports 6th and 7th Generation Intel Core and Intel® Celeron® processors. The OPS500-501-H OPS can output 4K UHD at 60Hz and connects to an OPS-compliant display via a standard JAE TX-25 connector, with support for HDMI, DisplayPort, UART, audio, USB 3.0, and USB 2.0.

The congatec conga-TC175 is a COM Express Compact ® Type 6 board with support for the Intel Core™ i7-7600U Figure 3. The Axiomtek OPS500-501-H is a capable signage player. / i5-7300U / i3-7100U processors, and Intel® Celeron® Processor 3965U. It’s a significant upgrade from the earlier congatec-TC170 module. In addition to the new processors, congatec added two more PCI Express 3.0 lanes and support for Intel Optane storage. Low power consumption, Trusted Computing Module support, and a compact computer-on-module design make the conga-TC175 an excellent solution for mobile retail or surveillance cameras.

Finally, the Quanmax ECX-SLU0/KLU0 is a 3.5-inch Embedded Compact Extended (ECX) single board computer (SBC) with support for both 6th-and-7th- Generation processors, two DDR4-2133 DIMMs, two SATA 3.0 ports, one HDMI 2.0 port, and a DisplayPort. One USB 3.1 Gen 2 (Type C) is provided by an Asmedia 1142 controller. This solution is primarily designed for Figure 4. The congatec conga-TC175 offers many upgrades. thin clients, industrial automation, retail, and digital surveillance markets.

A Smart Upgrade The new capabilities of the 7th Gen Intel Core processors can significantly improve performance of embedded applications that rely on video and media processing. And the fact that these new parts are socket-compatible with the 6th Gen Intel Core processors means developers have an easy upgrade path. So while Intel’s latest processors are a departure from its usual upgrade pattern, they are an important upgrade nonetheless. Figure 5. The Quanmax ECX-SLU0/KLU0 is suitable for a wide range of applications.