Jump to content

Open-Silicon: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m →High-Speed processor design: Decapitalized common noun in section heading as per MOS:SECTIONCAPS
 
(18 intermediate revisions by 8 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{advert|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Open-Silicon, a SiFive company
| name = Open-Silicon
| type =
| type =
| foundation = 2003
| foundation = 2003
Line 10: Line 9:
| net_income =
| net_income =
| num_employees = 400 as of 2013
| num_employees = 400 as of 2013
| homepage = [http://www.open-silicon.com/ www.open-silicon.com]
| homepage =
| founders = Dr. Naveed Sherwani, Dr. Satya Gupta, Scott Houghton
| founders = Dr. Naveed Sherwani, Dr. Satya Gupta, Scott Houghton
}}
}}
'''Open-Silicon, a SiFive company''' is a semiconductor company founded in 2003 to provide traditional [[Application-specific integrated circuit|ASIC]] design, derivative and platform [[System on a chip|SoC]]s, and production handoffs where Open-Silicon provides manufacturing operations.
'''Open-Silicon''' is a semiconductor company founded in 2003.

Open-Silicon was acquired by '''OpenFive''' in September, 2021.


==Corporate history==
==Corporate history==
Open-Silicon, a SiFive company was founded in 2003 by industry veterans Dr. [[Naveed Sherwani]], Dr. [[Satya Gupta]] and [[Scott Houghton]]. The idea was to select best-in-class technology from the open market and apply it through an engineering process focused on three goals: low cost, high schedule predictability, and high reliability. Initial funding was provided by [[Sequoia Capital]], [[Norwest Venture Partners]], and [[InterWest Partners]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.open-silicon.com/company/news-events/press-releases/initial-funding/|title=Open-Silicon Inc. Secures $19.5 Million in Funding|date=March 29, 2004}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Additional funding from those partners, and new partners [[Artis Capital]] and [[Bridgescale Partners]], brought the total [[venture funding]] in four rounds of financing to almost $46M. In December 2007 [[Unicorn Investment Bank]] acquired 75% of Open-Silicon for $190M, with the rest of the company employee-owned.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eetimes.com/rss/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=205201890&cid=RSSfeed_eetimes_newsRSS|title=Bahrain Bank Buys Stake in Open-Silicon|date=December 24, 2007}}</ref>
Open-Silicon was founded in 2003 by Naveed Sherwani, Satya Gupta and Scott Houghton. Initial funding was provided by [[Sequoia Capital]], [[Norwest Venture Partners]], and [[InterWest Partners]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.open-silicon.com/company/news-events/press-releases/initial-funding/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130194605/http://www.open-silicon.com/company/news-events/press-releases/initial-funding/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 30, 2013|title=Open-Silicon Inc. Secures $19.5 Million in Funding|date=March 29, 2004}}</ref> In December 2007 [[Unicorn Investment Bank]] acquired 75% of Open-Silicon for $190M, with the rest of the company employee-owned.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eetimes.com/rss/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=205201890&cid=RSSfeed_eetimes_newsRSS|title=Bahrain Bank Buys Stake in Open-Silicon|date=December 24, 2007}}</ref>


In May 2007, Open-Silicon acquired [[Zenasis Technologies]], a maker of processor optimization [[Electronic design automation|EDA software]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.edn.com/article/459760-Open_Silicon_acquires_Zenasis_hybrid_optimization_technology.php|title=Open-Silicon Acquires Zenasis Hybrid Optimization Technology|date=May 7, 2007}}{{Dead link|date=December 2017}}</ref> This technology has become the core of Open-Silicon's MAX Technologies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.open-silicon.com/company/news-events/press-releases/max-intro/|title=Open-Silicon Introduces MAX Technologies|date=November 11, 2008}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> This technology has also been expanded by Open-Silicon to focus on low power design and process variability management.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.edn.com/blog/Practical_Chip_Design/37523-When_an_ASIC_vendor_partners_with_an_EDA_vendor_a_new_model.php|title=When an ASIC Vendor Partners with an EDA Vendor: A New Model|date=November 12, 2008}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
In May 2007, Open-Silicon acquired Zenasis Technologies, a maker of processor optimization [[Electronic design automation|EDA software]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.edn.com/article/459760-Open_Silicon_acquires_Zenasis_hybrid_optimization_technology.php|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730005431/http://www.edn.com/article/459760-Open_Silicon_acquires_Zenasis_hybrid_optimization_technology.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 30, 2012|title=Open-Silicon Acquires Zenasis Hybrid Optimization Technology|date=May 7, 2007}}</ref> This technology has also been expanded by Open-Silicon to focus on low power design and process variability management.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.edn.com/blog/Practical_Chip_Design/37523-When_an_ASIC_vendor_partners_with_an_EDA_vendor_a_new_model.php|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731043046/http://www.edn.com/blog/Practical_Chip_Design/37523-When_an_ASIC_vendor_partners_with_an_EDA_vendor_a_new_model.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 31, 2012|title=When an ASIC Vendor Partners with an EDA Vendor: A New Model|date=November 12, 2008}}</ref>


⚫
In 2009 Open-Silicon acquired design services firm Silicon Logic Engineering (SLE). This acquisition has enhanced the company's derivative [[IC design]] capabilities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eetimes.com/open-silicon-acquires-design-services-firm/|title=Open-Silicon Acquires Design Services Firm|date=January 12, 2010}}</ref> In 2010 the company opened new facilities in [[Research Triangle Park]], [[North Carolina]], and [[Pune]], India, to provide additional support for derivative IC design.
In 2008 and 2009, Open-Silicon received the "Most Respected Private Semiconductor Company" Award from the [[Global Semiconductor Alliance]] (GSA).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gsaglobal.org/news/article.asp?article=2008/1215|title=Global Semiconductor Alliance Announces its 2008 Award Recipients|date=December 15, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gsaglobal.org/news/article.asp?article=2009/1214|title=Global Semiconductor Alliance Announces its 2009 Award Recipients|date=December 14, 2009}}</ref>

⚫
In 2009 Open-Silicon acquired design services firm [[Silicon Logic Engineering]] (SLE). This acquisition has enhanced the company's derivative [[IC design]] capabilities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-news/4087030/Open-Silicon-acquires-design-services-firm|title=Open-Silicon Acquires Design Services Firm|date=January 12, 2010}}</ref> In 2010 the company opened new facilities in [[Research Triangle Park]], [[North Carolina]], and [[Pune]], India, to provide additional support for derivative IC design.


In 2012, Open-Silicon acquired and grew substantial design operations in [[Pakistan]] and [[Taiwan]].
In 2012, Open-Silicon acquired and grew substantial design operations in [[Pakistan]] and [[Taiwan]].


On August 17, 2020, SiFive acquires Open-Silicon and names it OpenFive, an independent business unit of SiFive.
Open-Silicon is a SiFive company now.


On Sept. 1, 2022, Canadian semiconductor licensing company Alphawave acquires SiFive’s OpenFive business unit for $210 million.
==Locations==
Open-Silicon has the following principal locations:
* [[Milpitas, CA]]
* [[North Andover, MA]]
* [[Bangalore, India]]
* [[Yokohama, Japan]]
* [[Kaohsiung, Taiwan]]
* [[Hsinchu, Taiwan]]
* [[Pune, India]]

==Industry impact==
Open-Silicon has been instrumental in establishing a new semiconductor segment known as the ''[[Fabless manufacturing|fabless]] ASIC'' market. Core to the company is the OpenMODEL, which allows customers to view and make decisions about their ASIC supply chain. In the five years from 2003–2008, Open-Silicon completed more than 100 designs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.open-silicon.com/company/news-events/press-releases/100th-tapeout/|title=Open-Silicon, Inc. Announces 100th Design Tapeout|date=September 10, 2008}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

With its front-end design capabilities growing,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.open-silicon.com/company/news-events/press-releases/expands_presence_in_india/|title=Open-Silicon Expands Presence in India With New SoC and Systems Solution Center|date=November 1, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.open-silicon.com/company/news-events/press-releases/open-silicon-expands-asic-architecture-and-rtl-design-team-to-support-derivative-soc-solutions/|title=Open-Silicon Expands ASIC Architecture and RTL Design Team to Support Derivative SoC Solutions|date=October 27, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Open-Silicon now provides derivative design solutions for the new design-lite industry segment. In 2011, Open-Silicon announced a relationship with [[Micron Technology|Micron]] to develop derivative IC products for the Micron [[Hybrid Memory Cube]] technology<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.open-silicon.com/company/news-events/press-releases/open-silicon-and-micron-align-to-deliver-next-generation-memory-technology|title=Open-Silicon and Micron Align to Deliver Next-Generation Memory Technology|date=June 7, 2011|access-date=January 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723224219/http://www.open-silicon.com/company/news-events/press-releases/open-silicon-and-micron-align-to-deliver-next-generation-memory-technology|archive-date=July 23, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> and later became a founding member of the [[Hybrid Memory Cube Consortium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hybridmemorycube.org/about.html|title=Hybrid Memory Cube Consortium Participants}}</ref>


==Products and services==
==Products and services==
Open-Silicon's business model is called the OpenMODEL.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-news/4080892/Open-Silicon-thriving-and-hiring-in-downturn|title=Open Silicon thriving and hiring in downturn|date=January 12, 2009}}</ref> The OpenMODEL gives customers the option of selecting their IP from the open market, with Open-Silicon qualifying and supporting that IP. In addition to IP, Open-Silicon has relationships with multiple foundries and test and packaging suppliers to maximize customer flexibility.
Open-Silicon's business model is called the OpenMODEL.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eetimes.com/open-silicon-thriving-and-hiring-in-downturn/|title=Open Silicon thriving and hiring in downturn|date=January 12, 2009}}</ref>

As part of the OpenMODEL, Open-Silicon offers a variety of IC design and manufacturing services, including product definition, design engineering, wafer fabrication, packaging and assembly, and test engineering. The company offers ASIC products at [[180 nm process|180&nbsp;nm]], [[130 nm process|130&nbsp;nm]], [[90 nm process|90&nbsp;nm]], [[65 nm process|65&nbsp;nm]], 45/40&nbsp;nm, 28&nbsp;nm, 16&nbsp;nm, [[14 nm process|14&nbsp;nm]], [[7 nm process|7&nbsp;nm]] and [[5 nm process|5&nbsp;nm]] CMOS process nodes from multiple silicon foundries<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.open-silicon.com/ip-technology/partner-ip/|title=Open-Silicon Partners}}</ref> including [[TSMC]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eetasia.com/ART_8800375200_480100_NT_3e80aa08.HTM|title=Open-Silicon joins TSMC's Design Center Alliance|date=August 26, 2005}}</ref> [[GlobalFoundries]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.open-silicon.com/company/news-events/press-releases/open-silicon-collaborates-with-globalfoundries-on-28nm-low-power-solutions/|title=Open-Silicon and GLOBALFOUDRIES Tapeout 28nm}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> [[Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation|SMIC]], and [[Fujitsu]]. IP partners include almost all major open market sources. Open-Silicon was the first adopter of [[Synopsys]]'s IP [[Original equipment manufacturer|OEM]] partner program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://synopsys.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=629|title=Synopsys Unveils IP OEM Partner Program with Arrow Electronics, Global Unichip and Open-Silicon|date=November 20, 2008}}</ref>

==High-speed processor design==
Open-Silicon uses the CoreMAX tool, initially acquired from Zenasis Technologies but since expanded, for high-speed processor design. Open-Silicon and partners were able to demonstrate 65&nbsp;nm processor performance of 1.1&nbsp;GHz worst case,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.open-silicon.com/company/news-events/press-releases/high_performance_processor/|title=Open-Silicon, MIPS Technologies, and Virage Logic Achieve High Performance ASIC Processor Design|date=October 27, 2009}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and 40&nbsp;nm processor performance of over 2.4&nbsp;GHz typical case.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.open-silicon.com/company/news-events/press-releases/open-silicon,-mips-technologies,-and-dolphin-technology-achieve-asic-cpu-performance-of-over-24ghz-in-tsmc-40nm/|title=Open-Silicon, MIPS Technologies, and Dolphin Technology Achieve ASIC CPU Performance of Over 2.4GHz in TSMC 40nm|date=September 21, 2010|access-date=January 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619020315/http://www.open-silicon.com/company/news-events/press-releases/open-silicon,-mips-technologies,-and-dolphin-technology-achieve-asic-cpu-performance-of-over-24ghz-in-tsmc-40nm|archive-date=June 19, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Open-Silicon created a Center of Excellence for ARM Technology in 2011 to combine all of the various physical design processor hardening and system design efforts into a single organization.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.open-silicon.com/company/news-events/press-releases/open-silicon-launches-arm%C2%AE-center-of-excellence|title=Open-Silicon Launches ARM® Center of Excellence|date=October 24, 2011}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In 2012, Open-Silicon further expanded the Center to include architectural analysis and modeling, pre-silicon prototyping, embedded software, co-silicon system design and test, and post-silicon validation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.open-silicon.com/company/news-events/press-releases/open-silicon-expands-semiconductor-design-solutions|title=Open-Silicon Expands Semiconductor Design Solutions|date=April 26, 2012|access-date=January 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309191408/http://www.open-silicon.com/company/news-events/press-releases/open-silicon-expands-semiconductor-design-solutions/|archive-date=March 9, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Utilizing both Cadence and Synopsys place and route tools for processor optimization, in 2012 Open-Silicon was able to achieve 2.2&nbsp;GHz in 28&nbsp;nm with an ARM® dual-core Cortex™-A9 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cadence.com/cadence/newsroom/press_releases/pages/pr.aspx?xml=110612_arm|title=Cadence Encounter Technologies Enable Open-Silicon to Reach 2.2 GHz Performance on 28nm ARM Dual-Core Cortex-A9 Processor|date=November 6, 2012}}</ref> and 1.3&nbsp;GHz for a low-power 40&nbsp;nm quad-core implementation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.synopsys.com/index.php?s=43&item=1070|title=Open-Silicon Uses Synopsys IC Compiler to Achieve 1.3GHz Frequency on Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore Processor|date=October 2, 2012}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 57: Line 36:


==External links==
==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090317072532/http://www.open-silicon.com/ Open-Silicon Home page] [http://www.sifive.com/ SiFive Home page ]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090317072532/http://www.open-silicon.com/ Open-Silicon Home page]
*[http://www.sifive.com/ SiFive Home page]
*[http://www.awaveip.com/ Alphawave IP Home page]


[[Category:Companies established in 2003]]
[[Category:Electronics companies established in 2003]]
[[Category:Fabless semiconductor companies]]
[[Category:Fabless semiconductor companies]]
[[Category:Semiconductor companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Semiconductor companies of the United States]]
[[Category:2003 establishments in California]]
[[Category:American companies established in 2003]]
[[Category:2020 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:2022 mergers and acquisitions]]

Latest revision as of 03:31, 27 October 2024

Open-Silicon
IndustrySemiconductors, Electronics
Founded2003
FoundersDr. Naveed Sherwani, Dr. Satya Gupta, Scott Houghton
HeadquartersMilpitas, California, USA
ProductsASICs, system-on-a-chip, integrated circuits
Number of employees
400 as of 2013

Open-Silicon is a semiconductor company founded in 2003.

Open-Silicon was acquired by OpenFive in September, 2021.

Corporate history

[edit]

Open-Silicon was founded in 2003 by Naveed Sherwani, Satya Gupta and Scott Houghton. Initial funding was provided by Sequoia Capital, Norwest Venture Partners, and InterWest Partners.[1] In December 2007 Unicorn Investment Bank acquired 75% of Open-Silicon for $190M, with the rest of the company employee-owned.[2]

In May 2007, Open-Silicon acquired Zenasis Technologies, a maker of processor optimization EDA software.[3] This technology has also been expanded by Open-Silicon to focus on low power design and process variability management.[4]

In 2009 Open-Silicon acquired design services firm Silicon Logic Engineering (SLE). This acquisition has enhanced the company's derivative IC design capabilities.[5] In 2010 the company opened new facilities in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and Pune, India, to provide additional support for derivative IC design.

In 2012, Open-Silicon acquired and grew substantial design operations in Pakistan and Taiwan.

On August 17, 2020, SiFive acquires Open-Silicon and names it OpenFive, an independent business unit of SiFive.

On Sept. 1, 2022, Canadian semiconductor licensing company Alphawave acquires SiFive’s OpenFive business unit for $210 million.

Products and services

[edit]

Open-Silicon's business model is called the OpenMODEL.[6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Open-Silicon Inc. Secures $19.5 Million in Funding". March 29, 2004. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013.
  2. ^ "Bahrain Bank Buys Stake in Open-Silicon". December 24, 2007.
  3. ^ "Open-Silicon Acquires Zenasis Hybrid Optimization Technology". May 7, 2007. Archived from the original on July 30, 2012.
  4. ^ "When an ASIC Vendor Partners with an EDA Vendor: A New Model". November 12, 2008. Archived from the original on July 31, 2012.
  5. ^ "Open-Silicon Acquires Design Services Firm". January 12, 2010.
  6. ^ "Open Silicon thriving and hiring in downturn". January 12, 2009.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Open-Silicon&oldid=1253647181"