Real-ESRGAN-x4plus Example

This document describes using the QAI AppBuilder Python API to run inference with the Real-ESRGAN-x4plus super-resolution model on the Qualcomm® Hexagon™ Processor (NPU).

Supported devices

Device	SoC
Dragon Q6A	QCS6490
Dragon Q8B	SC8280XP
Fogwise® AIRbox Q900	QCS9075

Install QAI AppBuilder

tip

1. Install QAI AppBuilder by following the QAI AppBuilder installation guide.

2. Configure ADSP environment variables as described in Create ADSP environment variables.

Run the sample

Install dependencies

Install sample dependencies in the activated virtual environment:

Device

pip3 install requests tqdm qai-hub py3-wget Pillow torch torchvision opencv-python-headless

Run the script

• Enter the upstream samples directory

  Device

  cd qai-appbuilder/samples

• Prepare input data (the sample provides a default image)

input image

Run inference

warning

On QCS6490 / SC8280XP, do not use the default float DLC. The default .dlc path fails with The SocModel doesn't support FP16. Use --bin to download the precompiled HTP context binary.

QCS6490

Device

python3 ComputerVision/Super_Resolution/real_esrgan_x4plus/real_esrgan_x4plus.py --chipset 6490 --bin --no_show

SC8280XP

tip

SC8280XP and QCS6490 both use Hexagon V68. Use --chipset 6490 with --bin.

Device

python3 ComputerVision/Super_Resolution/real_esrgan_x4plus/real_esrgan_x4plus.py --chipset 6490 --bin --no_show

QCS9075

Device

python3 ComputerVision/Super_Resolution/real_esrgan_x4plus/real_esrgan_x4plus.py --chipset 9075 --no_show

tip

On QCS9075 the Hub default is a .bin HTP context that runs as-is. Use --no_show on headless sessions.

--no_show avoids opening an image viewer on headless SSH sessions.

Expected result

A successful run writes:

ComputerVision/Super_Resolution/real_esrgan_x4plus/output.png

tip

Launcher alternative:

python3 run_inference.py --model real_esrgan_x4plus --args "--chipset 6490 --bin --no_show"