Google and Qualcomm companion to convey the RISC-V microprocessor structure to wearables
Right this moment, Google and Qualcomm introduced an extension of their partnership to convey RISC-V-based systems-on-chips (SoCs) to market with help for Put on OS, a model of Android for smartwatches and wearables. This announcement marks a {hardware} first for Qualcomm to convey an SoC primarily based totally on the RISC-V microprocessor structure to market and the third main software program announcement for the RISC-V structure in slightly below a 12 months. The earlier bulletins included Google’s announcement for Android help for RISC-V in November 2022 and the formation of the RISC-V Software program Ecosystem (RISE) in Might. Each Google and Qualcomm are founding members of RISE.
For its half, Google has dedicated to the Android and Put on OS ports and software program growth instruments. Whereas Qualcomm’s present SoCs are based totally on the Arm microprocessor structure, Qualcomm makes use of RISC-V primarily based microcontroller cores inside its standard Snapdragon SoCs which can be utilized in automotive, smartphones, PCs, and a bunch of different IoT purposes. Qualcomm is at present the market chief in Put on OS smartwatch SoCs with the Snapdragon Put on platform. The shift from Arm to RISC-V microprocessor cores marks a major change for Qualcomm and an enormous design win for the RISC-V structure. Qualcomm has a major funding within the open-source RISC-V structure and just lately introduced a partnership with NXP, Nordic Semiconductor, Bosch, and Infineon to kind a brand new and but to be named firm “geared toward advancing the adoption of RISC-V.” The brand new firm can be targeted on creating options to be used in automotive, IoT, and cell; three essential markets for Google and Qualcomm.
The announcement supplied no particulars on the dates that the {hardware} or software program options can be obtainable, however this newest announcement marks one other main step within the growth of the RISC-V ecosystem. Creating an ecosystem round a brand new microprocessor structure can take a decade or longer, significantly as a result of want for the working system (OS) help, the software program growth instruments, and the event or porting of purposes. Nevertheless, behind know-how heavyweights like Google, Intel, MediaTek, Nvidia, NXP, Qualcomm, Samsung and plenty of others, the RISC-V structure seems set to be a significant various to different architectures, particularly Arm, within the subsequent few years. This can be preferrred timing for Qualcomm as its lawsuit with Arm over the usage of know-how acquired by the Nuvia acquisition is scheduled to succeed in the court docket room in late 2024.
Whereas the provision of the brand new Qualcomm SoCs or Google Put on OS help was not introduced, Tirias Analysis estimates that units utilizing the brand new platform may very well be out there by as early as 2025. And if Qualcomm and Google are collectively working to convey RISC-V options to market, different Qualcomm platforms and platforms from different semiconductor distributors are prone to shortly observe.
