What are the topics covered? There’s RISC-V and AI, Spain investing in semiconductors via the EU, a new player in the silicon photonics market, Nexperia buying the Newport Wafer Fab and, finally, Intel, Micron, ADI and MITRE Engenuity forming an alliance for ‘American Growth’…
5. BrainChip and SiFive hook up for edge AI
BrainChip’s Akida is a neural networking processor architecture that brings AI to the edge. The integration of BrainChip’s Akida technology and SiFive’s multi-core capable RISC-V processors will provide a solution for integrated edge AI compute, say the companies. The processors have been optimised for applications requiring high-throughput, single-thread performance while under the tightest power and area constraints.
4. Spain to invest €11bn in semiconductors
Spain is to spend €11 billion on semiconductors, says prime minister Pedro Sanchez. “We want Spain to be at the vanguard of industrial and technological progress,” he said Sanchez, adding that semiconductors are of “global geostrategic importance” and that Spain “will not lose the race to the most advanced technology. This ambitious project to bring major investments to semiconductors and related technology will be key to reaching strategic autonomy at the European level.”
3. Synopsys and Juniper Networks form new player in silicon photonics market
There will be a new player in the dynamic silicon photonics sector, as Synopsys and Juniper Networks announce a partnership to form a new, separate company, with Synopsys as the majority owner. As yet, unnamed, the company will offer an open silicon photonics platform (integrated lasers, optical amplifiers) and photonic components. The companies believe that this platform will lower the price point for silicon photonics integration in telecom datacom, high performance computing (HPC), AI, optical computing, lidar and healthcare applications.
2. Chinese takeover of Newport Wafer Fab approved
The government has decided not to intervene in the takeover of Newport Wafer Fab by quietly approving the controversial sale of a Welsh microchip factory to a Chinese-owned firm. Nexperia, the Amsterdam-headquartered spin-off from NXP owned by Wingtech of Shanghai, took a 15% share in Newport Wafer Fab in 2019. Nexperia was a customer of Newport Wafer Fab. Nexperia got the right to trigger a 100% buy-out option of Newport Wafer Fab and to put two directors on the Newport Wafer Fab board if it fell into financial difficulties.
1. Intel, Micron, ADI form alliance
Intel, Micron, ADI and MITRE Engenuity have agreed to accelerate semiconductor research, development, and prototyping to build a more robust U.S. semiconductor industry. The engagement establishes a Semiconductor Alliance to propose the foundation for a whole-of-nation approach for a more innovation-focused U.S. semiconductor industry and supply chain. The Semiconductor Alliance, led by MITRE Engenuity, was developed from working groups in 2021, and its principles were published in a white paper on American Innovation for American Growth.
