SigmaStar IPU SDK

Introduction¶

The SigmaStar model is called sim, an acronym for SGS IPU (SigmaStar Intelligence Processing Unit) Model. To open a .sim file, use the application SGS Netron. Double click SGS_IPU_SDK/Netron/Netron Setup 3.4.3.exe to install it.

The SigmaStar IPU SDK comprises the following tools:

• Convert Tool: Converts the network model trained by TensorFlow, Keras, Caffe and ONNX framework into SigmaStar floating-point network model (SGS Float file)

• Calibrator: Converts SigmaStar floating-point network model into SigmaStar fixed-point network model (SGS Fixed file)

• Compiler: Converts SigmaStar fixed-point network model into SigmaStar offline network model (SGS Offline cmd file)

• Simulator: Runs simulation against SGS Float file, SGS Fixed file, and SGS Offline cmd file

• SGS Netron: Checks the structure of SGS Float file and SGS Fixed file

The overall architecture of SigmaStar IPU is shown below:

Advantages¶

The SGS IPU SDK comes with the following advantages:

• Convert Tool: The Convert Tool can convert the operator of the original network framework into a SigmaStar IPU specific operator according to the characteristics of the hardware, without impairing the optimization of the network model.

• Calibrator: With the gathered statistics of the FeatureMap value, the Calibrator can quantize the SGS Float File to 8-bit/16-bit fixed-point model.

• Compiler: By converting fixed-point network model files into offline command files, the Compiler can realize direct deployment of the models on SigmaStar hardware products.

• Simulator: As a SigmaStar hardware PC terminal simulator, the Simulator can process the entire SGS Float file, SGS Fixed file, and SGS Offline cmd file, and accelerate network model debugging and deployment.

• SGS Netron: In addition to checking the SigmaStar SGS Float file and SGS Fixed file, the SGS Netron also allows the user to view the original framework model.