Analog Devices and Cadence develop SHARC-FX automotive audio processors

Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) and Cadence Design Systems, Inc. have collaborated to develop the SHARC-FX processor core, a next-generation DSP architecture designed for software-defined vehicles.

The new ADSP-SC84x/2184x platform utilizes a 16nm process, an upgrade from the 28nm process used in the previous ADSP-SC59x/2159x generation. Key technical enhancements include an LPDDR4 memory interface, increased on-chip L2 memory, a dedicated hardware security module (HSM), and two optional connectivity cores that support mainline Linux.

The SHARC-FX core provides up to five times the performance of the previous SHARC+ processor. It is engineered to handle compute-intensive tasks such as AI-based noise cancellation, generative AI audio, voice assistants, and immersive 3D audio rendering. The architecture supports real-time neural-network inference at the edge and is intended for applications including automated-driving alerts, Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS), and personal sound zones within vehicle cabins.