At the 2024 Sensors Converge Conference and Expo, Fierce Electronics and Sensors Converge jointly presented the Best of Sensors Awards to celebrate outstanding achievements in the sensor industry. This year, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. won the award for its Snapdragon X Elite Platform. A panel of expert judges evaluated entries in 12 product categories based on innovation, market value, and ability to address industry challenges, ultimately selecting Qualcomm's platform as a standout in the Embedded Computing category.
The Snapdragon X Elite Platform represents a leap forward in embedded computing technology, and is designed to power the next generation of AI-enabled PCs. This 4nm chip sets new benchmarks for performance, efficiency, and intelligence in its class.
At the heart of the Snapdragon X Elite is its central processing unit (CPU) core, which is the first on ARM-compatible architecture to surpass 4.0 GHz. This achievement translates to exceptional processing power for demanding tasks, from complex calculations to smooth multitasking experiences.
One of the platform's notable features is its integrated Qualcomm Hexagon neural processing unit (NPU). With an impressive 45 Tops (Trillion Operations Per Second), the NPU significantly accelerates AI-driven tasks. This capability enables advanced functionality such as real-time video conferencing enhancements, automatic image filtering, and sophisticated privacy configurations.
The Snapdragon X Elite's benefits extend to its ability to handle large language models (LLM) efficiently. It can process 7 billion parameter models like Llama 2 at a rate of 30 tokens per second, ensuring rapid responses for AI assistants and low-latency multitasking. The platform is designed to support even larger models with over 13 billion parameters on-device, reducing reliance on cloud resources.
The Snapdragon X Elite also introduces mobile industry processor interface (MIPI) cameras to the PC industry, moving beyond traditional USB connections. This shift allows for more advanced image signal processing, resulting in superior image and video quality. The platform also leverages AI for facial recognition and adaptive dimming, enhancing user experience and energy efficiency during video calls and meetings.
Its audio capabilities are another standout feature. Snapdragon Sound Technology delivers immersive, lossless, and spatial audio, ensuring clear sound with low latency and depth, which is important for both work and entertainment scenarios.
The Snapdragon X Elite also supports advanced wireless technologies, including 5G and Wi-Fi 7, enabling fast and reliable connections across various networks. Robust connectivity is essential for the increasingly mobile and remote nature of modern work and leisure activities.
Battery life was another key focus in the platform's design. According to Qualcomm, the Snapdragon X Elite can deliver up to multi-day battery life, a significant improvement over many current laptop offerings.
As AI continues to play a larger role in our daily computing tasks, platforms like the Snapdragon X Elite will be instrumental in delivering the performance and capabilities required for this new era of personal computing devices.
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, continues to push the boundaries of wireless technology and embedded computing. Founded in 1985, the San Diego-based company has been at the forefront of mobile communication standards, including 5G and earlier generations, for decades. The Snapdragon X Elite Platform represents another leap forward in Qualcomm's mission to revolutionize the semiconductor and software landscape for wireless technology.
To explore more groundbreaking sensor technologies and learn about the winners in other categories, visit the full list of the 2024 Best of Sensors Awards recipients here.