The server-grade XuanTie C930 processor launched by Alibaba Group Holding is injecting fresh momentum into China’s semiconductor industry, according to analysts, for its potential to broaden domestic use of open-source chips built on the RISC-V instruction set architecture, countering US tech restrictions.
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The e-commerce giant’s research arm, Damo Academy, last month unveiled the C930 central processing unit (CPU) design, developed by Alibaba semiconductor unit T-Head, which is geared towards high-performance computing applications, including data-centre servers and autonomous vehicles. Alibaba owns the Post.
The C930 will begin shipping to clients this month, according to Damo, without providing figures, at a the chip’s launch on February 28 in Beijing. Its CPU design is available for licensing to integrated-circuit (IC) developers.
“The open-source model will help build an inclusive and collaborative global RISC-V ecosystem, making it the new engine for chip industry disruption,” Ni Guangnan, a Chinese Academy of Engineering academician, said at the event.
Hangzhou-based Alibaba’s latest open-source initiative not only shows the company’s progress in RISC-V chip design over the past few years, but also reflects China’s commitment to overcome US sanctions.
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US trade restrictions have curtailed China’s access to advanced semiconductor technology and chipmaking equipment amid growing demand from domestic artificial intelligence (AI) development projects.