BrainChip

This page provides step-by-step instructions for installing the Akida (BrainChip) runtime in PySDK.

Akida (Brainchip) Runtime in PySDK

PySDK supports version 2.11.0 of Akida Runtime.

Supported Platforms

Linux

• Architecture: x86-64 or ARM64/AArch64

• Python Versions: 3.9–3.11

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Installation

Ensure your pip is up to date and install the Akida Runtime package:

pip install --upgrade pip
pip install akida==2.11.0

You can verify the installation by running the following command:

akida version

You can check available Brainchip devices by running the following command:

akida devices

REQUIRED: Add Akida Runtime to LD_LIBRARY_PATH

For PySDK to locate Akida Runtime, LD_LIBRARY_PATH must include the Akida Runtime library path.

Temporary Setup

To set LD_LIBRARY_PATH for the current terminal session, run the following command:

export LD_LIBRARY_PATH="$(python3 -c "import akida, os; print(os.path.dirname(akida.__file__))"):$LD_LIBRARY_PATH"

Permanent Setup

To make this change persistent, we find the Akida Runtime path and then add it to ~/.bashrc. Run the following commands:

AKIDA_PATH=$(python3 -c 'import akida, os; print(os.path.dirname(akida.__file__))')
echo 'export LD_LIBRARY_PATH="'$AKIDA_PATH':$LD_LIBRARY_PATH"' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

Troubleshooting

If no Brainchip device is detected in degirum sys-info output, please see the permanent setup instructions here.

If no Brainchip device is detected in akida devices output, you may need to (re)install the Akida PCIe driver.

Driver Installation

Driver Installation is done through a script provided by Brainchip in their GitHub repository:

git clone https://github.com/Brainchip-Inc/akida_dw_edma
cd akida_dw_edma
sudo ./install.sh

After installation, check the device list again:

akida devices