Intel has established a new $1 billion investment fund to promote semiconductor businesses working on open-source RISC-V processors, as well as other chip advancements and packaged technologies, according to a recent release.
The company also became a premier member of RISC-V International, a non-profit organization that oversees the design and direction of the open-source instruction set architecture (ISA) and its extensions, as part of the announcement on Monday.
Intel will concentrate on creating a foundation for companies that require assistance with advanced semiconductor and modular product design and authentication. Multiple instruction set architectures (ISAs) will be used, including Intel’s own x86, Arm, and RISC-V.
The Innovation Fund is also working to promote the notion of 3D chip design, which allows for the solid integration of various CPU cores.
Intel will collaborate with Andes Technology, Esperanto Technology, SiFive, and Ventana Micro Systems to deliver a range of approved RISC-V IP cores as part of the new plan.
RISC-V products will be divided into three categories: partner products based on IFS technologies, RISC-V cores licensed as distinct IP, and RISC-V chipset building blocks. According to Pat Gelsinger, the company’s CEO, “Foundry customers are rapidly embracing a modular design approach to differentiate their products and accelerate time to market.”
Intel’s billion-dollar investment is rather substantial, and it has the potential to completely change the landscape of the business. Even the timing is ideal, as the recently cancelled prospective sale of Arm to NVIDIA prompted many developers to look for an alternative to Arm technology, and RISC-V is the perfect fit.
The chipmaker has announced a $20 billion investment to build fabs near Columbus, Ohio. Its manufacturing operations are also expanding in Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, and Ireland.
Manufacturing has been recognized as a priority for the corporation, and it is hoped that the expenditures will entice additional chip customers to use its facilities.
To read our blog on “Intel Unveils the Core i9-12900KS CPU, which runs at a blistering 5.5GHz clock speed,” click here.
