Why in the News?

Chip designer Qualcomm said on Tuesday it is partnering with Alphabet's Google to make wearable devices like smartwatches using chips based on RISC-V technology.

What is RISC-V Technology?

• RISC-V technology, colloquially pronounced as "risk five," stands as a pioneering open-source initiative in computer architecture.
• Functioning as an open-source Instruction Set Architecture (ISA), it serves as the foundation for crafting customized processors tailored to various end applications.
• Positioned as the fifth generation of processors rooted in the Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) philosophy, RISC-V originated as a project at UC Berkeley.
• Initially conceived for academic purposes, it has since matured into a robust standard now overseen by RISC-V International.
• RISC-V operates as an open-standard architecture, with its definition shaped collaboratively by member companies associated with RISC-V International—a global nonprofit organization steering the ISA.
• This collaborative approach fosters innovation and design freedom among member companies, paving the way for groundbreaking advancements in processor technology.
• At its core, RISC-V features a concise set of instructions upon which all software designs run.
• This streamlined architecture empowers designers to tailor and construct processors in alignment with the specific requirements of their intended applications.

Key Advantages:

• The merits of RISC-V extend beyond its technical specifications. Its open-standard nature facilitates industry-wide collaboration and innovation, enabling diverse stakeholders to contribute to the evolution of processor technology.
• Moreover, the entire RISC-V architecture is subject to scrutiny in the public domain, mitigating concerns related to back doors and concealed channels.

Applications:

• RISC-V finds application across a broad spectrum of industries, including wearables, industrial processes, Internet of Things (IoT), home appliances, smartphones, automotive systems, high-performance computing (HPC), and data centres.
• Its versatility makes it a compelling choice for diverse technological landscapes, showcasing its adaptability and efficacy across various domains.