Open-Source Hardware Momentum Builds
By Brian Bailey, Semiconductor Engineering
RISC-V drives new attention to this market, but the cost/benefit equation is different for open-source hardware than software.
Open-source hardware continues to gain ground, spearheaded by RISC-V — despite the fact that this processor technology is neither free nor simple to use.
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Getting open-source IP to the quality level required by high-volume chips is a challenge. “This is where not-for-profit organizations like OpenHW Group come into play,” says Rob van Blommstein, head of marketing for OneSpin Solutions. “Many companies are contributing to make this a reality. You also have big companies that have a strong interest in reducing their dependency from foreign proprietary technology. Another important aspect of open-source hardware is that it unleashes so much innovation potential from small companies and individuals with access to free customizable cores and mature tool chains and ecosystem.”
