Socionext teams up with Arm and TSMC for cutting-edge 2nm multi-core CPU chiplet

Socionext, Arm, and TSMC have joined forces to develop a power-optimized 32-core CPU chiplet utilizing Arm Neoverse CSS and TSMC's 2 nm silicon technology, with engineering samples expected in 2025.

Leverages TSMC's cutting-edge 2 nm silicon technology to deliver scalable performance
Flexibility to be instantiated either as a single unit or in multiple instances within a single package
Leverages Arm Neoverse CSS technology to drive innovation across the chiplet ecosystem

Socionext, a prominent provider of custom SoCs (System-on-Chips), has joined forces with ARM and TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) to develop an exciting new power-optimized 32-core CPU chiplet. This collaboration aims to leverage TSMC’s cutting-edge 2 nm silicon technology to deliver scalable performance for a range of markets, including hyperscale data centers, 5G/6G infrastructure, DPUs (Data Processing Units), and edge-of-network applications.

The engineering samples of this advanced CPU chiplet, which utilizes Arm Neoverse CSS technology, are expected to be available in the first half of 2025. What sets this chiplet apart is its ability to be instantiated either as a single unit or in multiple instances within a single package. Additionally, it can be combined with IO and application-specific custom chiplets to optimize performance for various end applications. This flexibility allows for the support of multiple target applications and provides a cost-effective package level upgrade path for future chiplet releases.

Socionext’s Corporate Executive Vice President and Head of Global Development Group, Hisato Yoshida, emphasized the company’s commitment to meeting customer demands for granular compute power. By leveraging silicon re-use to create multiple product platforms, Socionext aims to deliver highly integrated large-scale silicon solutions to global customers. The collaboration with Arm and TSMC plays a crucial role in achieving this goal.

Arm’s senior vice president and general manager of the Infrastructure Line of Business, Mohamed Awad, highlighted the significance of Arm Neoverse CSS in driving innovation across the chiplet ecosystem. The chiplet proof-of-concept developed by Socionext demonstrates the potential unlocked by Arm’s Total Design approach. It also paves the way for custom, workload-optimized solutions within Arm’s broader ecosystem.

Dr. Cliff Hou, Senior Vice President of Corporate Research/Research and Development at TSMC, expressed TSMC’s enthusiasm for supporting Socionext and Arm’s chiplet design. TSMC’s 2 nm technology, known for its outstanding performance, form factor, and energy efficiency, will play a crucial role in accelerating time-to-market for customer product innovations. The collaboration between TSMC and Socionext spans multiple generations of leading-edge technology, and this partnership is set to extend into the 2 nm generation.

Overall, this collaboration between Socionext, Arm, and TSMC holds great promise for the future of chiplet technology. By leveraging the strengths of each company, they aim to deliver innovative and highly integrated solutions that meet the evolving needs of hyperscale data centers, networking, and edge computing markets. The availability of engineering samples in 2025 will mark an important milestone in the realization of this vision.

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Background Information

About ARM: ARM, originally known as Acorn RISC Machine, is a British semiconductor and software design company that specializes in creating energy-efficient microprocessors, system-on-chip (SoC) designs, and related technologies. Founded in 1990, ARM has become a prominent player in the global semiconductor industry and is widely recognized for its contributions to mobile computing, embedded systems, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. ARM's microprocessor designs are based on the Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) architecture, which prioritizes simplicity and efficiency in instruction execution. This approach has enabled ARM to produce highly efficient and power-saving processors that are used in a vast array of devices, ranging from smartphones and tablets to IoT devices, smart TVs, and more. The company does not manufacture its own chips but licenses its processor designs and intellectual property to a wide range of manufacturers, including Qualcomm, Apple, Samsung, and NVIDIA, who then integrate ARM's technology into their own SoCs. This licensing model has contributed to ARM's widespread adoption and influence across various industries.

About TSMC: TSMC, or Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, is a semiconductor foundry based in Taiwan. Established in 1987, TSMC is a prominent player in the global semiconductor industry, specializing in the manufacturing of semiconductor wafers for a wide range of clients, including technology companies and chip designers. The company is known for its cutting-edge semiconductor fabrication processes and plays a critical role in advancing semiconductor technology worldwide.

Technology Explained

chiplet: Chiplets are a new type of technology that is revolutionizing the computer industry. They are small, modular components that can be used to build powerful computing systems. Chiplets are designed to be used in combination with other components, such as processors, memory, and storage, to create a complete system. This allows for more efficient and cost-effective production of computers, as well as more powerful and versatile systems. Chiplets can be used to create powerful gaming PCs, high-end workstations, and even supercomputers. They are also being used in the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning applications. Chiplets are an exciting new technology that is changing the way we build and use computers.

chiplets: Chiplets are a new type of technology that is revolutionizing the computer industry. They are small, modular components that can be used to build a variety of computer systems. Chiplets are designed to be highly efficient and cost-effective, allowing for the creation of powerful and complex systems without the need for large, expensive components. They are also highly customizable, allowing for the creation of systems tailored to specific needs. Chiplets are being used in a variety of applications, from high-end gaming PCs to embedded systems and even supercomputers. They are also being used to create powerful AI systems, allowing for the development of more advanced and intelligent machines. Chiplets are revolutionizing the computer industry, allowing for the creation of powerful and efficient systems at a fraction of the cost.

CPU: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of a computer, responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations. It is the most important component of a computer system, as it is responsible for controlling all other components. CPUs are used in a wide range of applications, from desktop computers to mobile devices, gaming consoles, and even supercomputers. CPUs are used to process data, execute instructions, and control the flow of information within a computer system. They are also used to control the input and output of data, as well as to store and retrieve data from memory. CPUs are essential for the functioning of any computer system, and their applications in the computer industry are vast.