Google TPU
The Google Coral Dual Edge TPU is a low cost way of adding two AI hardware acceleration processors to compatible systems (hardware and software).
Due to the limited RAM capacity inside each TPU of only 8 MByte and the complexity of running multiple models inside at the same time, having multiple AI applications share a single TPU is not recommended.
PCI Adapter
Unfortunately, most computers do NOT have dual PCI buses wired to the same M.2 E-key connector, as required by the Coral Dual Edge TPU, so an adapter is needed in order for those computers to access both TPUs onboard.
Below is a Coral Dual Edge inserted into E-key to M-key adapter from Magic Blue Smoke which is in turn inserted into the spare M.2 M-key connecter inside in a Compute Station.
This adapter uses an Asmedia ASM1182e chip to expose both TPUs on the Coral Dual Edge TPU on to 2 separate PCIe x1 Gen2 buses.
01:00.0 PCI bridge [0604]: ASMedia Technology Inc. ASM1182e 2-Port PCIe x1 Gen2 Packet Switch [1b21:1182]
Kernel driver in use: pcieport
02:03.0 PCI bridge [0604]: ASMedia Technology Inc. ASM1182e 2-Port PCIe x1 Gen2 Packet Switch [1b21:1182]
Kernel driver in use: pcieport
02:07.0 PCI bridge [0604]: ASMedia Technology Inc. ASM1182e 2-Port PCIe x1 Gen2 Packet Switch [1b21:1182]
Kernel driver in use: pcieport
03:00.0 System peripheral [0880]: Global Unichip Corp. Coral Edge TPU [1ac1:089a]
Subsystem: Global Unichip Corp. Coral Edge TPU [1ac1:089a]
04:00.0 System peripheral [0880]: Global Unichip Corp. Coral Edge TPU [1ac1:089a]
Subsystem: Global Unichip Corp. Coral Edge TPU [1ac1:089a]
Driver
For newer releases of Linux the following driver might be better:
Availability
| Location | Availability | Request | Duration | Model | TPU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| sydney_aunsw | 24x7 | 7 days | 1 to 48 hours | Dual Edge TPU | 2 |
Although both TPUs can be used by a single AI application at the same time, normally one TPU is fast enough for most applications, so the second TPU can be used by a different AI application.