If you’ve ever looked into processors, you’ve probably heard of big names like Intel, AMD, or ARM. But let me introduce you to RISC-V, a bold and open alternative that’s changing how CPUs are designed, built, and used.
What Is RISC-V?
RISC-V (pronounced “risk-five”) is an open standard for instruction sets, meaning anyone can use its specifications to design their own processors—without paying royalties or licensing fees. It’s like giving engineers a blank canvas and letting them create processors for everything from microcontrollers to high-end servers.
However, there’s often confusion around RISC-V’s openness. While its instruction set is free, the actual chip designs can be proprietary. Many companies keep their RISC-V designs closed, but open-source implementations are available for those who want to tinker or build.
The organization RISC-V International oversees the standard, manages branding, and fosters development. However, they don’t design chips themselves—this responsibility lies with member companies like SiFive, Alibaba, and others.
Modular Design: RISC-V’s Superpower
RISC-V’s architecture is modular by design, offering unmatched flexibility. Companies can start with one of its base modules and customize them with various extensions or even create proprietary ones. This flexibility has made RISC-V attractive across industries, though it has also led to some fragmentation.
RISC-V Base and Extension Modules
| Module | Description |
|---|---|
| RV32I | 32-bit base integer instruction set. |
| RV64I | 64-bit base integer instruction set. |
| RV32E | 32-bit base set optimized for embedded systems (fewer registers). |
| M Extension | Adds support for integer multiplication and division operations. |
| A Extension | Atomic instructions for multi-core processors. |
| F/D Extensions | Adds single-precision (F) and double-precision (D) floating-point operations. |
| C Extension | Compressed instructions to reduce code size and improve efficiency. |
| V Extension | Vector instructions for applications like machine learning and graphics. |
| B Extension | Bit manipulation instructions for cryptography and networking. |
| Z Extensions | Specialized extensions for areas like security (Zicsr) or supervisor-level instructions (Zifencei). |
A New Player: Tenstorrent and Jim Keller
If you’re into processors, you’ve probably heard of Jim Keller, a legend known for his work on AMD Zen, Tesla’s AI chips, and Apple’s A-series processors. Keller is now the CEO of Tenstorrent, a company embracing RISC-V to push the boundaries of AI and high-performance computing.
Tenstorrent is unique because it doesn’t just design CPUs—it focuses on combining RISC-V cores with powerful AI accelerators. This vision has caught the attention of investors, raising over $600 million in their first round of funding. With Keller at the helm and such massive backing, Tenstorrent is a company to watch in the RISC-V space.
Where Is RISC-V Making an Impact?
1. Academia
RISC-V’s simplicity makes it ideal for teaching assembly language and CPU design. It’s quickly becoming the go-to architecture in classrooms.
2. Embedded Systems
This is where RISC-V shines today. Companies are adopting it for microcontrollers and IoT devices due to its low cost and flexibility. Even big names like NVIDIA and Apple reportedly use RISC-V cores in their products, though they don’t advertise it.
3. AI Hardware
AI startups and giants alike are turning to RISC-V for its modular design. Many customize RISC-V cores with their own extensions, like low-precision matrix multiplication for neural networks.
4. Consumer Devices
RISC-V is slowly catching up to ARM and x86 in consumer tech. Profiles like RVA22 and RVA23 aim to support Linux and Android, bringing RISC-V closer to powering everything from smartphones to PCs.
The SHD Group: Bold Projections for RISC-V
The SHD Group, a prominent consulting and market analysis firm in the semiconductor industry, has been closely monitoring the rise of RISC-V. Known for their detailed forecasts and strategic insights, the SHD Group has outlined some intriguing projections about the future of RISC-V in the global market.
1. Explosive Growth in Market Share
SHD Group predicts that RISC-V will achieve double-digit market share in the global semiconductor industry by 2030. This growth is fueled by:
- Adoption in Embedded Systems: RISC-V’s modularity and low cost make it a perfect fit for microcontrollers and IoT devices, two of the fastest-growing segments in the tech industry.
- Growing Presence in Data Centers: Companies like Alibaba and SpacemiT are deploying RISC-V-based processors in cloud environments, where scalability and cost-effectiveness are crucial.
2. Competition in High-Performance Computing (HPC)
RISC-V, traditionally seen as a lightweight architecture, is now entering the HPC domain. SHD Group highlights advancements in out-of-order core designs and custom extensions, which could make RISC-V competitive with x86 and ARM in server and AI workloads by 2028.
The report underscores the role of companies like Tenstorrent and other RISC-V players in developing processors tailored for AI and machine learning. With the demand for specialized AI chips surging, RISC-V’s flexibility gives it a unique edge.
3. Increasing Open-Source Ecosystem
According to SHD Group, the open-source nature of RISC-V will drive innovation in ways traditional architectures cannot match. They project a robust ecosystem of free and proprietary designs that will lower the entry barrier for startups and smaller semiconductor companies.
- By 2026, they anticipate a significant increase in RISC-V cores being developed for niche markets, such as custom SoCs for automotive, robotics, and wearables.
- Open-source software tools like GCC and LLVM are already supporting RISC-V, and SHD believes this ecosystem will mature rapidly with the introduction of more optimized frameworks.
4. Fragmentation Challenges
While RISC-V’s modularity is a strength, SHD Group warns that fragmentation could slow adoption. Unlike ARM, which offers a cohesive ecosystem, RISC-V allows companies to add proprietary extensions, leading to incompatibilities between implementations.
SHD emphasizes the need for RISC-V International to create stricter guidelines and standardized profiles (like the RVA profiles) to ensure interoperability across implementations.
5. Expanding Into Consumer Electronics
Perhaps the boldest prediction from the SHD Group is that RISC-V will power a significant portion of consumer electronics by 2035. This includes:
- Smartphones: With profiles like RVA23 targeting Android, SHD expects RISC-V to start appearing in budget and mid-tier smartphones within the next few years.
- Smart TVs and Wearables: SHD highlights RISC-V’s suitability for these markets due to its energy efficiency and scalability.
6. Geopolitical Implications
The SHD Group report also touches on geopolitics, emphasizing how RISC-V’s open nature allows countries to avoid reliance on foreign IP. This is particularly relevant in regions like:
- China: With a strong push for semiconductor independence, Chinese firms like Alibaba and Loongson are heavily investing in RISC-V.
- India: The government’s “Digital India” initiative includes support for RISC-V development, focusing on building a domestic semiconductor ecosystem.
Can RISC-V Compete With Intel, AMD, or ARM?
The high-end processor market has traditionally been dominated by Intel, AMD, and ARM. While RISC-V isn’t quite there yet, progress is accelerating. Companies like Alibaba (XuanTie C910/C920 cores) and SpacemiT (K1 core) are proving that RISC-V can handle workloads ranging from cloud servers to consumer devices.
There’s also a lot of excitement around upcoming RISC-V designs. Several companies claim their chips will rival Intel’s and AMD’s best offerings, though getting these designs to market remains a challenge.
The Road Ahead
RISC-V represents a bold step towards a more open and competitive CPU ecosystem. Its modular design, open nature, and growing industry support make it a compelling alternative to traditional ISAs. With heavyweights like Jim Keller and Tenstorrent in the mix, the future of RISC-V looks brighter than ever.
Whether you’re a student, a developer, or just a tech enthusiast, now’s the time to start paying attention to RISC-V. It might not replace your PC’s processor tomorrow, but it’s already shaping the future of computing.
In our next post, we’ll take a closer look at Tenstorrent, a rising star in the RISC-V ecosystem. With Jim Keller at the helm and over $600 million raised in its first funding round, Tenstorrent is poised to make waves in AI and high-performance computing. Stay tuned for an in-depth analysis of their contributions and vision for the future!