RISC-V Fosters Collaboration in the Chip Race – EPS News
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The RISC-V ecosystem has witnessed significant global investment, particularly from China, which is increasingly positioning itself as a pivotal player in the open-source semiconductor manufacturing landscape.
In an exclusive interview with EPSNews during the recent RISC-V Summit Europe 2024 in Munich, Germany, Calista Redmond, CEO of RISC-V International, delves into the nuances of this dynamic ecosystem, highlighting the collaborative spirit that underpins RISC-V’s growth, despite geopolitical tensions.
Calista Redmond, RISC-V International (Credit: Pablo Valerio)
RISC-V, an open standard instruction set architecture (ISA), has gathered a robust international following, with contributions and investments coming from various regions. Redmond emphasizes the global nature of RISC-V’s community: “We’ve consistently been about one-third North America, one-third Europe, one-third APAC. I have been saying that for more than five years, and I’m proud of that.”
This balanced participation underscores the universal appeal of RISC-V’s open-source model, which fosters innovation and reduces barriers to entry in semiconductor design. Countries worldwide, including China, Brazil, and those in the European Union, are investing heavily in RISC-V to secure a foothold in the burgeoning digital economy and ensure their semiconductor independence.
China’s investment in RISC-V is particularly noteworthy. The country’s government has proactively driven technological advancements, especially in microprocessor development and manufacturing. Despite the overarching political tensions and trade wars between the U.S., Europe, and China, the collaborative spirit within the RISC-V community remains strong.
Source: RISC-V International
Redmond acknowledges the political backdrop but remains optimistic about continued collaboration: “We work very closely with many stakeholders in China, including research organizations and major multinationals. Participating in RISC-V International has given deep credibility to not going off and doing your own thing. The market forces working against isolation are too strong.”
China’s approach to RISC-V is multifaceted, involving significant governmental support alongside private-sector engagement. This strategy accelerates domestic innovation and integrates Chinese advancements into the global RISC-V ecosystem. As Redmond points out, no single country, including China, can afford to isolate itself entirely: “The forces working against that are market forces. No single company or country can afford to build and support their own entire ecosystem.”
The geopolitical landscape undoubtedly influences the semiconductor industry. With initiatives like the U.S. CHIPS Act and similar programs in other regions, there is a marked emphasis on local investment in technology. However, Redmond highlights the importance of maintaining a global perspective to avoid the pitfalls of isolationism: “Countries are investing locally and engaging globally. Because they understand and have seen repeated history that if you invest only in yourself, you’ve put up a wall at the end of your own garden,” she argues. “To truly be successful long term, you need to participate in a shared foundation.”
The semiconductor industry’s shift toward open standards like RISC-V allows for greater collaboration and innovation across borders. This is particularly relevant in light of recent challenges, such as the global chip shortage, which has underscored the need for diversified and resilient supply chains.
RISC-V’s open-source nature has also permeated educational institutions worldwide. Redmond notes that nearly every technical institution now includes RISC-V in their curriculum, a testament to its growing influence and adoption: “I cannot find one technical institution that does not have RISC-V in their courses. That tide has turned.”
This educational integration is paralleled by commercial adoption. Multinational companies, recognizing the flexibility and potential of RISC-V, are increasingly incorporating it into their strategies. Redmond cites Nvidia as an example: “They’ve doubled down on RISC-V, becoming a premier member. There’s room in every portfolio to bring RISC-V in.”
Source: RISC-V International
Looking ahead, the future of RISC-V and open-source semiconductors appears promising. The collaborative model championed by RISC-V democratizes access to cutting-edge technology and drives innovation across various sectors. From AI and IoT to automotive and industrial applications, RISC-V’s versatile architecture is poised to become a cornerstone of the global semiconductor industry.
“RISC-V makes the most sense in novel applications, where a developer doesn’t already have an existing Arm product in place. The rise of AI, the increase in use cases and capabilities, means a lot of new territory is being revealed and all of it has potential for RISC-V,” Edward Wilford, senior principal analyst for IoT at Omdia, said. “The growth of RISC-V is concurrent with the rise of AI and especially edge AI, and that will provide a massive opportunity for ISA.”
“There is no doubt AI will be one of the largest drivers of RISC-V adoption in many segments; the efficiency and scalability of RISC-V is uniquely suited to developing processors for performing AI operations,” Wilford argued.
Despite the complex geopolitical landscape, Redmond remains optimistic about the ongoing and future collaborations within the RISC-V community: “The differences we have are great when it comes to adding unique value in implementations. But that has nothing to do with what RISC-V is. We only work on a set of base building blocks or standards that anyone can adhere to, ensuring we all speak the same language.”
The rise of China in the RISC-V ecosystem underscores the importance of global collaboration in the semiconductor industry. As countries invest locally and engage globally, RISC-V stands out as a unifying platform that fosters innovation and reduces barriers to entry. With continued support from governments, educational institutions, and the private sector, RISC-V is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of open-source semiconductors.
More than 2,500 delegates and 500,000 online attendees are expected to join the upcoming RISC-V Summit China in Hangzhou next month.
Pablo Valerio has been in the IT industry for 25+ years. While primarily based in Barcelona, he has also worked in the United States, Italy, Germany, The Netherlands, and Denmark. For the past 10 years he has been a regular contributor to several publications in electronics, communications, mobility, and smart cities. His work appears in EE Times, IoT Times, InformationWeek, EBN, LightReading, Network Computing, and IEEE Spectrum, among others. Pablo holds a MS in Electrical Engineering from The Ohio State University.
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