I would say that RISC-V is going to be competing in all areas, and possibly more quickly than many realise.
It’s already competitive in the microcontroller arena
more capable processor designs are being worked on
There’re hints of GPUs, and
RISC-V is competing in the emerging markets - going head-to-head with Arm.
The RISC-V Foundation increased by 133% last year, and with that came funding and greater visibility. The momentum seems to be with RISC-V, and ARM is in the doldrums.
I think they’re right to fear a flotation - the ROI has been surprisingly low for a company that’s supposed to be worth US$40B… And Arm are looking to raise money, not produce profits just to give the money to investors.
Qualcomm’s idea of users of the ISA clubbing together to maintain it - I guess more-or-less the Foundation model - might raise some money… but wouldn’t that reduce Arm to custodians of the specification?
Arm could open source the ISA… That would probably consign RISC-V to the classroom… but it would diminish Arm Ltd. too.
: Chip designers for hire, and scrabbling for funding the next processor.
I would say that RISC-V is going to be competing in all areas, and possibly more quickly than many realise.
The RISC-V Foundation increased by 133% last year, and with that came funding and greater visibility. The momentum seems to be with RISC-V, and ARM is in the doldrums.
They have had a pretty good ride with Smartphones and SBC’s, maybe they should have embraced open source :)
I absolutely agree with you!
What happens to Arm if the deal doesn’t go ahead?
I think they’re right to fear a flotation - the ROI has been surprisingly low for a company that’s supposed to be worth US$40B… And Arm are looking to raise money, not produce profits just to give the money to investors.
Qualcomm’s idea of users of the ISA clubbing together to maintain it - I guess more-or-less the Foundation model - might raise some money… but wouldn’t that reduce Arm to custodians of the specification?
Arm could open source the ISA… That would probably consign RISC-V to the classroom… but it would diminish Arm Ltd. too.
: Chip designers for hire, and scrabbling for funding the next processor.