Axelera Embedded 110m and 113m: Integration Requirements
Introduction
This document helps you confirm that a host system can use the Axelera Embedded 110m or the Axelera Embedded 113m accelerator. It is a pre-check to help you understand the required host specifications, including mechanical fit and electrical power delivery, when selecting a host or designing a new host board.
Both cards are M.2 2280 M-key modules with the same connector, power, and PCIe requirements, so most of this page applies to both. Where they differ (mechanical drawings and cooling options), the text names the card.
Host system general specifications
Metis is compatible with Intel® Core™ processors, AMD Ryzen™ processors, and certain Arm64 (aarch64) processors.
The Metis AIPU is validated for Ubuntu 22.04 and 24.04; other Linux operating systems are possible via Docker.
Both cards use an M-key connector. Other M.2 connectors, such as B-key or E-key, are not compatible, and an M-key M.2 slot that only offers SATA connectivity is not compatible.
Power available on the M.2 slot
Make sure the host offers an M.2 M-key connector with power delivery compliant with at least revision 4 (see the PCI-SIG table below). If you are designing a new motherboard, the future-proof choice is Rev. 5.0 - M.2-1A - M-key, a connector offering 1 A per power pin.
Both cards target the M.2 revision 4 electrical requirements:
- Peak (average 100 µs): 7000 mA (23.1 W)
- Max average power (1 s): 3500 mA (11.55 W)
How to check compatibility: this information should be available in the host motherboard's schematics. Contact the manufacturer if you do not have it.
Is this blocking? With lower available average power, such as 2500 mA, Metis performance must be limited.
Host PCIe interface
An M.2 slot with 4-lane PCIe Gen3 gives full AIPU performance. Metis can work with fewer lanes, but performance may be affected by the reduced PCIe bandwidth, particularly for high-FPS use cases.
How to check compatibility: the motherboard or system datasheet, user manual, or block diagram specifies the PCIe generation and number of lanes.
Is this blocking? No, but performance may be affected by the limited PCIe bandwidth.
Mechanical fit
Two aspects must be checked:
- M.2 slot connector height — avoid interference with components on the motherboard near the M.2 slot. Both cards require an H5.6 (5.6 mm) connector.
- Heatsink integration — in many cases the system heatsink is not designed to fit the top profile of the card and may need gap filling with thermal pads, or a minor heatsink modification.
The fan-cooled Axelera Embedded 113m is about 14.3 mm tall (to the top of the heatsink) and 24 mm wide, so it is taller and wider than a bare M.2 module. Check the clearance above and around the slot with the Axelera Embedded 113m CAD files.
How to check compatibility: Axelera offers 2D drawings and 3D CAD files of each card so you can verify mechanical fit.
- Axelera Embedded 110m: datasheet (2D drawings) and CAD files (3D drawings)
- Axelera Embedded 113m: datasheet (2D drawings) and CAD files (3D drawings)
Is this blocking? Yes — without mechanical fit, the M.2 card cannot fit or cannot dissipate heat adequately.
System cooling and airflow
Both cards are designed for low-power edge AI applications, but thermal management is still important. The cooling options differ by card:
- Axelera Embedded 110m: active cooling, passive cooling, or no cooling (for customers designing their own cooling solution). All variants use the same chip and board (minus the fan connector on the passive and no-cooler options).
- Axelera Embedded 113m: active cooling, or no cooling (for customers designing their own cooling solution).
If using an active cooling variant, ensure proper airflow in your system for stable operation. For custom heat-dissipation solutions based on a card with no cooler, see the thermal design guide for that card:
How to check compatibility: when evaluating the card, use the temperature-monitoring API to confirm the cooling in your system is adequate. See the thermal design guide for your card.
Is this blocking? Yes — improper cooling can cause instability due to overheating.
Appendix 1 - PCI-SIG M.2 spec revisions
The requirement for both cards is highlighted in bold.
| PCIe M.2 Revision - Card type - key | Peak (avg 100 µs) | Max Average Power (1 s) |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0 - M.2 - M-key | 2500mA (8.25W) | not defined |
| 4.0 - M.2 - M-key | 7000mA (23.1W) | 3500mA (11.55W) |
| 5.0 - M.2 - M-key | 7000mA (23.1W) | 3500mA (11.55W) |
| 5.0 - M.2-1A - M-key | 7000mA (23.1W) | 5000mA (16.5W) |
| 5.1 - M.2 - M-key | 7000mA (23.1W) | 3500mA (11.55W) |
| 5.1 - M.2-1A - M-key | 7000mA (23.1W) | 5000mA (16.5W) |
Appendix 2 - Compatibility checklist
The checklist applies to both cards.
| Category | Checklist item | Criteria / details | Notes / action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power available on M.2 slot | Revision compliance and electrical requirements | System must support at least PCI-SIG M.2 spec revision 4 (rev 5.0 - M.2-1A is recommended for new designs). Peak (100 µs average): 7000 mA (23.1W); maximum average (1s): 3500 mA (11.55W) | 1. Check the motherboard schematics for the power regulator feeding the M.2 3V3 pins. 2. If not available, request it from the manufacturer. |
| Host PCIe interface | PCIe interface type | Must support PCIe Gen 3 with 4 lanes for optimal performance | 1. Check the system's datasheet, user manual, or schematics. |
| Mechanical fit | M.2 slot connector height | Minimum height should be H5.6 (5.6 mm) to avoid interference with nearby motherboard components | 1. Cross-check with mechanical drawings. 2. If available, check the M.2 connector part number. |
| Heatsink integration | Verify the system heatsink fits the M.2 module's top profile; if needed, plan for gap filling (e.g. thermal pads). For the fan-cooled Axelera Embedded 113m, also check the clearance above and around the slot | 1. Run the integration test using the M.2 and third-party system 3D models in a mechanical CAD tool. |