SiFive is an American fabless semiconductor company and provider of commercial RISC-V processors and silicon chips based on the RISC-V instruction set architecture. SiFive is a pioneer, founder, and gold standard of RISC-V.
What is the need for another ecosystem - RISC-V - right now?
The need for another ecosystem like RISC-V arises from the limitations and risks associated with proprietary CPU architectures. Historically, many CPU architectures have faded away because their survival depended solely on the success of the companies behind them. For instance, DEC Alpha, MIPS, and SunSpark are examples of architectures that declined when their companies couldn’t continue investing in them. RISC-V, however, is an open standard, meaning anyone can use the architecture for free, although products built on it are not necessarily free.
The RISC-V ecosystem provides unparalleled flexibility, allowing companies to innovate without being confined to predetermined sizes or specifications, unlike proprietary options. This adaptability means that companies can tailor solutions precisely to their needs, whether those needs are driven by power, performance, or cost considerations.
As a result, RISC-V is becoming increasingly pervasive, with major players like Intel, AMD, and even NASA adopting it. This open standard is supported and developed by a global community, ensuring that the best ideas prevail, and the architecture remains resilient, regardless of any single company’s fate.
Do you think RISC-V will become the de facto standard absorbed by the industry?
The evolution of technology, particularly in AI and intelligent edge devices, is positioning RISC-V to become the de facto standard. While much of the AI industry’s focus has been on large server installations for training and inference, the real momentum is shifting toward intelligent edge devices. These devices, embedded with sensors and AI capabilities, are where the future lies. The embedded world, once just about connecting devices (IoT), is now moving into intelligence, making devices not only connected but also smart, with the ability to adjust and optimize their functions in real-time. We, in particular, are heavily invested in this transition, working closely with customers on intelligent embedded applications. As more devices, from handsets to thermostats to car sensors, become intelligent, RISC-V’s open standard will enable the widespread adoption and innovation needed to support this shift.
Why does SiFive matter?
The company’s deep roots in RISC-V date back to its origins at Berkeley in 2010, and since then, we have maintained our position as the leader in advancing this open standard. We continue to invest over $100 million annually in developing IP, chips, and boards that drive the RISC-V standard forward. This commitment ensures that RISC-V remains at the cutting edge, benefiting a wide range of customers from small devices to large data centers. As the gold standard in the industry, SiFive plays a pivotal role in the ongoing development and adoption of RISC-V, ensuring that the standard remains robust and continues to evolve to meet the needs of the future.
How can a typical consumer see SiFive's impact on products they use today?
Consumers might not always see the SiFive name directly on the products they use, but the impact of our technology is pervasive. Our products are embedded in billions of devices, from handsets to smart home devices like thermostats and Wi-Fi units, and even in automotive applications. These products, part of SiFive’s essential, edge, and intelligence lines, have a significant presence in everyday life, enabling the devices we rely on to function more efficiently and intelligently. One area where consumers will increasingly feel our influence is in intelligent edge devices.
What does the transition from IoT to Edge applications mean for consumers?
The transition from IoT to Edge applications signifies a major shift in how AI and computing are integrated into everyday devices. While AI today is often associated with large server clusters and cloud computing, the future is moving toward smaller, more personal devices that can process and analyze data on their own, without relying on the cloud. This means that devices like health monitors, sports trackers, and car sensors will soon be able to function independently, offering real-time responses and personalized insights directly on the device itself. For consumers, this shift means that AI will become much more accessible and relevant to daily life. Instead of data being sent to distant servers, where privacy can be a concern, it will be processed locally on devices, offering both privacy and immediacy. Whether it is a wrist-worn health monitor or a drowsiness detector in a car, these intelligent edge devices will make AI a tangible and valuable part of everyday experiences, providing personalized, context-aware functionality that enhances convenience, health, and safety.
Could you elaborate on your HiFive Premier P550 and its role in advancing the RISC-V ecosystem?
The HiFive Premier P550 is a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to advance the RISC-V ecosystem. One of the critical factors for any processing platform’s success is the availability of robust software and ecosystem support. Over the years, we have developed numerous hardware platforms to support the RISC-V ecosystem, and the P550 is a powerful example of this. These platforms are crucial because they provide the necessary hardware for developers to create and refine their software, ensuring that the RISC-V standard remains viable and competitive. While we don’t sell these platforms as products, they are heavily subsidized to support the community. The P550, in particular, has been pivotal in helping developers, including those from partners like Canonical, who rely on such platforms to ensure that operating systems like Ubuntu Linux run smoothly on RISC-V.
What are the key challenges SiFive is currently facing, and what keeps you up at night?
The semiconductor industry, though often underappreciated, is fundamental to technological progress and delivering customer value. One of the primary challenges we face at SiFive is the immense investment required to keep pace with the rapid cadence of innovation. Maintaining this level of innovation demands substantial funding, with over $100 million per year dedicated to our advancements. While we have strong investors backing us, the challenge remains in managing and allocating these resources effectively to continue driving progress. Another significant challenge is deciding which areas to prioritize. The world of computing is transforming rapidly across various sectors—from servers to handsets to intelligent edge devices. With so many opportunities in different markets like automotive, AI, and embedded systems, it is crucial to choose the right focus areas.
Where do you see the semiconductor industry and SiFive in the next four to five years?
In the next four to five years, I believe RISC-V will reach the vertical part of its growth curve, becoming the dominant architecture in nearly every application, from data centers to healthcare devices. The open standard nature of RISC-V offers undeniable benefits that make it an inevitable choice for many industries. Historically, proprietary architectures have risen and fallen with the fortunes of their creators, but RISC-V's community-driven, open approach makes it more resilient and adaptable.
For SiFive, we expect to maintain a leadership position, especially in the embedded intelligent edge device market. Our expertise in customization will be key, as we continue to co-innovate with our customers, creating tailored solutions that meet specific needs in power, performance, and cost. Additionally, our strong foundation in vector processing, crucial for AI applications, will allow us to thrive as AI moves from the cloud to the edge.
