Alibaba introduced the first self-designed processor, avoiding the US ban

Last Thursday, China’s Alibaba Group Holding Group introduced its first self-designed microprocessor, putting an important mark on China’s efforts to promote chip autonomy. amid conflicts with the US on technology issues.

According to Alibaba’s statement, the new processor could be used by Chinese device manufacturers to equip smart speakers, self-driving cars and internet-connected devices needed for performance computing. high.

While Alibaba does not plan to use the processor for itself, Chinese chip makers such as Semiconductor Manufacturing International’s SMIC can produce the chip for other devices under a public license. e-commerce company.

Alibaba’s new processor could help the company follow the direction of British firm ARM Holdings, when designing and licensing chip licenses. There are up to 90% of smartphone chips based on ARM chip designs. Like many other Chinese companies, Huawei is also based on ARM’s designs to create its Kirin chip, but the US government’s ban imposed on the company also raises questions about cooperation. Long term with this British company.

With encouragement from the Chinese government, a number of Chinese companies have been engaged in semiconductor in recent years. Some of the typical names are Xiaomi phone company, social networking company Tencent Holdings and Gree Electric Applicances, a home appliance manufacturer. The most successful so far is Huawei with the Kirin chip used on its phones.

Alibaba’s new processor, XuanTie 910, was developed on the free, open source RISC-V script architecture. Many other Chinese companies are also seeking to create chip designs based on RISC-V, which have some advantages on smartwatch and other internet-connected devices.

Another important factor is that this architecture is not within the scope of the US government ban.

The RISC-V Foundation, which oversees the development of this architecture, also contributes as a member of companies such as Huawei and Huami (Xiaomi’s subsidiary). This shows their ambition to build processors like Alibaba.