Microchip Technology Inc (Nasdaq: MCHP) has launched Revision 2.0 of its PolarFire FPGA Ethernet Sensor Bridge, a compact production-ready platform designed to simplify sensor connectivity for edge artificial intelligence systems using NVIDIA Holoscan Sensor Bridge technology. The new board is 60% smaller than the previous-generation design, supports twice the number of cameras and uses USB-C power, making it suitable for compact rack-mounted and space-constrained edge AI systems. Microchip is also offering the second-generation platform at a lower price than the original version.
The solution enables developers to move from multiple proprietary sensor interfaces to scalable 10Gb Ethernet-based architectures, helping reduce system complexity, power consumption, component count and overall development costs. It is aimed at applications including medical imaging, industrial automation and humanoid robotics using NVIDIA edge computing platforms such as NVIDIA Jetson and IGX.
Built around Microchip’s PolarFire FPGA technology, the Rev 2.0 platform supports up to four cameras and includes camera connectors compatible with NVIDIA Jetson systems. An integrated optical latency measurement circuit enables developers to assess end-to-end latency from sensor capture through AI inference using NVIDIA’s Latency Display Analysis Tool.
The board also includes an FPGA Mezzanine Card (FMC) expansion connector to support future upgrades. Standard interfaces include MIPI CSI-2, I2C, UART and GPIO. The architecture can support various sensor and video interfaces, including SLVS-EC 2.0, 12G-SDI, HDMI and DisplayPort, without requiring changes to the core platform. A PMOD connector provides additional expansion flexibility.
Shakeel Peera, Vice President, Microchip’s FPGA Business Unit, said developers need to focus on edge AI applications rather than dealing with complex sensor connections. He added that the new Ethernet sensor bridge combines PolarFire FPGA’s low-power operation and security features in a smaller form factor to help accelerate deployment.
The board is designed to handle real-time, multi-sensor data over Ethernet in power-constrained edge environments. PolarFire FPGAs provide built-in security and reliability features intended to support long-term operation of connected AI systems. Integration with the NVIDIA Holoscan SDK provides access to software libraries, AI models and reference applications to support faster system development. The offering includes compatible cameras and cables, reference designs, schematics and development documentation.
Microchip’s Libero SoC Design Suite supports RTL development, while integrated timing and power-management components, including the MCP16701 PMIC, are validated for PolarFire FPGA designs. The integrated hardware approach is intended to reduce third-party integration challenges, shorten development cycles and improve system reliability. The Rev 2.0 PolarFire FPGA Ethernet Sensor Bridge is available for purchase directly from Microchip and through its global sales representatives and authorised distributors.
Microchip Technology is widely recognized for its semiconductor, embedded systems, and timing solutions used across automotive, industrial, aerospace, communications, and consumer electronics applications. Through ongoing innovation in frequency control and precision timing technologies, the company aims to support next-generation electronic systems that demand higher performance, lower power consumption, and improved operational resilience.
