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AMD has launched their AMD Embedded R-Series accelerated processing unit (APU) platform designed for mid- to high-end graphics-intensive applications such as digital signage, casino gaming, point-of-sale systems and kiosks, as well as parallel processing applications such as medical imaging and security/surveillance thanks to OpenCL and DirectCompute support. The AMD Embedded R-Series APU combines the “Piledriver” CPU architecture with an AMD Radeon 7000 Series GPU.AMD R-Series APU Block Diagram

There are 8 AMD R-Series APUs, 4 in PGA package and 4 in BGA package:

• R-464L – Quad Core APU @ 2.3/3.2 GHz with Radeon HD 7660G. TDP: 35W (PGA)
• R-460H – Quad Core APU @ 1.9/2.8 GHz with Radeon HD 7640G. TDP: 35W (PGA)
• R-272F – Dual Core APU @ 2.7/3.2 GHz with Radeon HD 7520G. TDP: 35W (PGA)
• R-268D – Dual Core APU @ 3.0/2.5 GHz with Radeon HD 7420G. TDP: 35W (PGA)
• R-460L – Quad Core APU @ 2.0/2.8 GHz with Radeon HD 7620G. TDP: 25W (BGA)
• R-452-L – Quad Core APU @ 1.6/2.4 GHz with Radeon HD 7600G. TDP: 19W (BGA)
• R-260H – Dual Core APU @ 2.1/2.6 GHz with Radeon HD 7500G. TDP: 17W (BGA)
• R-252F – Dual Core APU @ 1.9/2.4 GHz with Radeon HD 7400G. TDP: 17W (BGA)

AMD R-Series APUs work with R-Series A70M and A75 controller hubs. The former lacks PCI and FIS-Based Switching.AMD R-Series APU + Controller Hub Block Diagram (Click to Enlarge)

The new processors support up to four independent displays, which can be used to display four independent video feeds or a single video feed distributed across a four-panel display as could be the case for a  video wall digital signage. It’s also possible to extend this capability to 10 displays by adding an AMD Radeon Embedded graphics card to the system.Other Key Features & Benefits:

• AMD Turbo CORE 3 Technology automatically delivers an optimized balance between performance and power consumption.
• APU Thermal Design Power (TDP) ranging from 17 to 35 Watts and average power below 13 Watts.
• AMD Radeon HD 7000G Series graphics.
• AMD Radeon Dual Graphics technologycan more than double graphics performance compared to using discrete graphics alone.
• Secure Asset Management Unit lowers power/CPU overhead when dealing with protected content.
• Display resolutions of up to 4k x 2k @ 30 Hz utilizing a single display output.

To help their customers getting started, AMD provides 1 development board and 3 reference designs based on R-Series APU platform:

• AMD DB-FS1r2 Development Board
• AMD Embedded R-Series platform MiniITX Reference Design, Socket FS1
• AMD Embedded R-Series platform COM Express Reference Design, Socket FP2
• AMD Embedded R-Series platform MicroATX Reference Design, Socket FS1

Contrary to what AMD had done with the G-Series APU, they have made the reference designs documents available to all. The miniITX, microATX and COM reference designs can be accessed freely (after registration) and includes schematics, BOM and layout and gerber files examples as well as other documentation.Several companies, including Axiomtek, Congatec and iBase, have already announced products based on the new R-Series APU processors.You can find further information on AMD Embedded R-Series Platform site.                        

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Advanced Micro Devices new Trinity chip doesn't deliver the performance trifecta necessary to threaten Intel's market-leading position, according to most initial evaluations.It's an old story line now: AMD comes out with a new processor that offers better graphics performance, but, overall, does little to change Intel-AMD market dynamics -- which of course heavily favors Intel. Tags: IntelAMDIndustry NewsHardware

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Leap Motion is a tiny USB device, about the size of a thumb drive, that let’s you control your computer with hands and fingers (and even pencils) gestures in three dimensions using motion sensing and motion control technology.The company claims that Leap technology is 200 times more accurate than existing solutions with an accuracy up to 0.01 millimeter (which seems over the top). To use the LEAP, simply plug it into a USB port, install Leap Motion software, calibrate the device and you’re ready to control your PC a la minority report.This technology will probably not displace the mouse and keyboard, as your arms would get very tired after a while, but there are some good use cases:

• Stylus emulation and 3D images creation.
• Gaming.
• 3D modeling software interaction.
• Sign a document digitally with a pen.
• User interaction in Windows 7/8 or Mac OS X: Clicking, grabbing, scrolling,  pinch to zoom, etc…
• Surgeons can control 3D medical data with their hands without taking off their gloves

Thinking about it, I wonder if your hand could be used as a virtual mouse considering the accuracy. You would just move your hand as if you had a mouse and tap on the desk for left or right click.You have to watch the video below to see how cool this device is. Tip: You can play Angry Birds with Chopsticks. The Leap Motion currently supports Microsoft Windows 7 / 8 and Mac OS X only, but support for Linux will come later.The device is not quite ready for retail just yet, and the Leap Motion team is looking for qualified developers in order to send them a free Leap device and the SDK. If you think you’ve got what it takes, you can register here. The development kits will be send to developers within one to three months.The Leap Motion should be available in December 2012 or January 2013, but consumers can already pre-order the Leap Motion for 69.99 USD + shipping.Via tuxplanet and korben                        

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