Latest news with #RiVAITechnologies
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
World's most complex 2D, one-nanometer-thick semiconductor chip developed in China
Scientists in China have developed the world's most complex two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor microprocessor, which is less than one nanometre across the world are turning to 2D materials like molybdenum disulphide and tungsten diselenide for microprocessors at a time when silicon-based integrated circuits approach the physical limits of miniaturization. These materials are usually only one atom thick and exhibit remarkable physical properties for game-changer functionality in next-generation circuits. Named the Lingyu CPU, the microprocessor is developed by RiVAI Technologies. The chip is also China's first fully self-developed high-performance RISC-V server to support high-performance computing, the RISC-V server chip can also support large open-source language models like DeepSeek. Published in journal Nature, the research reveals that Chinese scientists introduced a reduced instruction set computing architecture (RISC-V) microprocessor capable of executing standard 32-bit instructions on 5,900 MoS2 transistors and a complete standard cell library based on 2D semiconductor library contains 25 types of logic units. In alignment with advances in silicon integrated circuits, researchers also co-optimized the process flow and design of the 2D logic circuits. "Our combined manufacturing and design methodology has overcome the significant challenges associated with wafer-scale integration of 2D circuits and enabled a pioneering prototype of an MoS2 microprocessor that exemplifies the potential of 2D integrated-circuit technology beyond silicon," said researchers in the can support vector instruction set, ultra-wide vector width and offer stronger computing power to meet diverse computing needs such as machine learning. RISC-V is an open-source instruction set that allows Chinese firms to design and manufacture processors without external restrictions. The push for RISC-V adoption comes in response to ongoing trade tensions and sanctions that have limited China's access to advanced foreign-made chips. Reports have revealed that the resulting processor involves 5,900 individual transistors and is capable of implementing the full 32-bit version of the RISC-V instruction set, which necessarily means it includes sophisticated circuitry like the RISC-V instruction decoder. At the same time, some aspects are intentionally kept simple; while it can perform the addition of two 32-bit numbers, it does so by operating a single bit at a time, meaning it takes 32 clock cycles to perform the operation. In recent times, the search for post-silicon semiconductors has escalated owing to the inherent limitations of conventional bulk semiconductors. But these are plagued by issues such as drain-induced barrier lowering, interfacial-scattering-induced mobility degradation, and a constrained current on/off ratio determined by semiconductor bandwidth. Reports revealed that these challenges have prompted the search for more advanced materials, with atomic-layer-thick two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors emerging as a potential solution.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
China's push for chip independence continues with its first RISC-V server CPU
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. RiVAI Technologies has launched the Lingyu CPU, China's first domestically designed high-performance RISC-V server processor. The unveiling occurred in Shenzhen, reflecting the country's ongoing push for greater self-sufficiency in semiconductor development. The Lingyu CPU adopts a one-core, dual architecture approach, integrating 32 general-purpose computing cores (CPU) alongside eight specialized intelligent computing cores (LPU). The configuration efficiently handles tasks such as inference for open-source large language models. The architecture aims to balance processing power and energy efficiency, thereby lowering the total cost of ownership (TCO). RiVAI Technologies was founded by Zhangxi Tan, who studied under Professor David Patterson, a pioneer of RISC-V and 2017 Turing Award recipient. Professor Patterson continues to serve as RiVAI's technical advisor, promoting RISC-V adoption in China. The company is also said to have partnered with over 50 companies, including Lenovo and SenseTime, to promote adoption and ecosystem development for its RISC-V processor. These collaborations are expected to support the deployment of the Lingyu CPU across various industries and encourage further advancements in RISC-V-based computing solutions. RiVAI's announcement comes amid broader efforts in China to shift away from reliance on x86 and Arm processors by promoting the adoption of RISC-V chips. The Chinese government is driving this initiative, encouraging research institutions, chipmakers, and companies to invest in RISC-V development. Unlike proprietary architectures controlled by Western companies, RISC-V is an open-source instruction set that allows Chinese firms to design and manufacture processors without external restrictions. The push for RISC-V adoption comes in response to ongoing trade tensions and sanctions that have limited China's access to advanced foreign-made chips. To accelerate this transition, the Chinese government provides policy support, funding, and incentives for companies working on RISC-V technology. Major domestic tech firms, including Alibaba and Tencent, have already started developing RISC-V-based solutions, while state-backed research institutions are working on software optimization for the architecture. This shift could help China build a more self-sufficient semiconductor industry, reducing its dependence on Western technologies. However, challenges remain, including software compatibility and ecosystem development, which will determine the long-term viability of RISC-V as a mainstream alternative to x86 and Arm processors.
