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EDA行业,面临严峻挑战
半导体行业观察·2025-09-01 01:17

Core Viewpoint - The Basilisk project, presented at Hot Chips 2025, aims to redefine the potential of open-source hardware by demonstrating a fully functional RISC-V SoC that operates on a complete Linux system, developed entirely using open-source EDA tools [2][11]. Group 1: Project Overview - Basilisk is a 34 mm² RISC-V SoC manufactured using IHP Microelectronics' open-source 130nm BiCMOS process [2]. - The project signifies a shift from viewing open hardware as an academic toy to a reliable system platform [2]. - The chip integrates a single-issue, in-order RV64GC CPU core (CVA6) with MMU, instruction/data cache, and HyperRAM controller, supporting a Linux software stack [6]. Group 2: Industry Context - Many large semiconductor companies have joined the RISC-V International Organization but have not actively supported its ecosystem, indicating a reluctance to embrace the shift towards open-source chips [2][3]. - The high costs associated with advanced node fabrication, often reaching tens of millions of dollars, lead companies to prefer proprietary suppliers that offer security and support [3]. - The current semiconductor landscape shows a clear divide, with U.S. companies sticking to familiar licensing models while challengers in China and Europe are accelerating the adoption of open processes [4]. Group 3: Technological Advancements - The project aims to demonstrate that fully open processes can achieve industrial standards through reasonable engineering investments, with future projects targeting larger scales [9]. - The use of Yosys and OpenROAD tools is highlighted as essential for proving the viability of open-source chip design [5]. - The Basilisk chip achieved a peak frequency of 102 MHz at 1.64 V and demonstrated high energy efficiency at lower voltages, indicating the potential of open-source designs to leverage voltage scalability [7]. Group 4: Strategic Implications - The support for the Basilisk project by the Swiss government and research institutions reflects a broader trend of viewing investment in open silicon as a matter of strategic sovereignty [11]. - The emergence of open-source EDA tools presents both a challenge and an opportunity for existing companies, as universities can now train engineers in these processes, potentially leading to innovation in commercial tools [9].