Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2024/09/29/pragmatic_semiconductor_flexrv_chip/
Source: The Register
Title: Bending the rules with flexible non-silicon 32-bit RISC-V chip
Feedly Summary: It won’t smash any benchmarks, but it will go where most others can’t
Brit chipmaker Pragmatic Semiconductor has created a 32-bit microprocessor in a “flexible technology that is fully functional while flexed."…
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: Pragmatic Semiconductor has introduced the Flex-RV, a 32-bit microprocessor that is flexible and programmable, designed for low-cost, unconventional applications. This chip uses IGZO transistors and can perform basic AI functions, making it suitable for embedded technologies such as smart bandages and flexible electronics.
Detailed Description:
The new advancements brought by Pragmatic Semiconductor with the creation of the Flex-RV microprocessor are notable for several reasons:
* **Innovative Design**: The Flex-RV is a 32-bit microprocessor that can function while being flexed, allowing it to fit into unconventional spaces where traditional silicon chips would not work. This flexibility is crucial for the expanding market of wearable and embedded devices.
* **AI Capability**: Despite being designed for flexibility over performance, the inclusion of a programmable machine-learning hardware accelerator means that the Flex-RV can execute simple AI tasks. This opens up new possibilities for AI integration in low-cost consumer electronics.
* **Material and Production Advantages**:
– Utilizes Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide (IGZO) transistors instead of conventional silicon, providing a much simpler production process without the need for clean-room environments.
– This reliance on IGZO not only reduces production costs but also allows the chip to maintain durability under stress, eliminating the need for expensive packaging typical of silicon chips.
* **Target Applications**: The chip is aimed at various innovative applications:
– **Smart Bandages**: Could monitor health metrics inexpensively.
– **Flexible Electronics**: Targeting industries where traditional silicon technology cannot be employed.
– **Interactive Packaging**: Enabling new forms of product interaction.
* **Market Disruption**: By focusing on creating low-cost, adaptable technology, Pragmatic aims to make computing applicable in areas previously thought unfeasible, heralding a paradigm shift in how and where computing power can be integrated into everyday devices.
* **Production Facilities**: The establishment of a dedicated site for semiconductor wafer production further emphasizes the company’s commitment to scaling production and innovation in semiconductor technology.
The Flex-RV microprocessor represents a significant step towards making computing more accessible and versatile, especially in embedded systems and the Internet of Things (IoT). It’s a clear example of how the semiconductor industry is evolving to cater to new market needs and use cases, at lower costs, and with increased functionality. This advancement could have a wide-reaching impact, especially in sectors that involve consumer goods and healthcare technologies.