The RISC-V Architecture Secures Smartwatches With Google And Qualcomm

As we speak, Google and Qualcomm introduced an extension of their partnership to deliver RISC-V-based systems-on-chips (SoCs) to market with assist for Put on OS, a model of Android for smartwatches and wearables. This announcement marks a {hardware} first for Qualcomm to deliver 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 yr. The earlier bulletins included Google’s announcement for Android assist 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 improvement instruments. Whereas Qualcomm’s present SoCs are based on the Arm microprocessor structure, Qualcomm makes use of RISC-V primarily based microcontroller cores inside its well-liked Snapdragon SoCs which might be utilized in automotive, smartphones, PCs, and a number of different IoT purposes. Qualcomm is at the moment 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 not too long ago introduced a partnership with NXP, Nordic Semiconductor, Bosch, and Infineon to type a brand new and but to be named firm “aimed toward advancing the adoption of RISC-V.” The brand new firm can be targeted on growing options to be used in automotive, IoT, and cellular; 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 improvement 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) assist, the software program improvement 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 appears to be like set to be a serious different to different architectures, particularly Arm, within the subsequent few years. This can be very best timing for Qualcomm as its lawsuit with Arm over using know-how acquired via the Nuvia acquisition is scheduled to succeed in the courtroom room in late 2024.

Whereas the supply of the brand new Qualcomm SoCs or Google Put on OS assist was not introduced, Tirias Analysis estimates that units utilizing the brand new platform could possibly be available in the market by as early as 2025. And if Qualcomm and Google are collectively working to deliver RISC-V options to market, different Qualcomm platforms and platforms from different semiconductor distributors are prone to shortly comply with.