CEA-Leti, CEA-List and PSMC have formed a strategic collaboration
CEA-Leti, a micro and nanotechnologies research institute, and CEA-List, a specialist in smart digital systems, have formed a strategic collaboration with Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC)
The collaboration will utilise CEA-List’s RISC-V design expertise and CEA-Leti’s silicon photonics expertise to introduce high-bandwidth communication and high-efficiency computing technologies into PSMC’s 3D stacking and interposer platforms, providing solutions for next-generation AI systems.
The semiconductor industry faces numerous challenges, including the physical limits of traditional copper interconnects, stringent power budgets, and the need for flexible, scalable computing architectures. By integrating short-reach, high-bandwidth optical links for energy-efficient data movement and customisable RISC-V processor architectures, the collaboration will address these constraints and establish a new paradigm in high-performance data transport and computing architecture.
Olivier Thomas, deputy head of the Digital IC Design Division at CEA-List, said, “RISC-V is transforming processor design by combining openness, flexibility, and cost efficiency. Its customizable architecture allows industrial players to develop solutions tailored to their needs. Our joint effort will give customers a customizable compute platform that meets the performance and power targets.”
Sébastien Dauvé, CEO of CEA-Leti, said, “In the collaboration, microLED is a critical enabling technology that will boost optical-communication throughput using low-power GaN LED solutions.”
Dr Shou-Zen Chang, chief technology officer of PSMC, said, “This collaboration enriches PSMC’s 3D stacking and interposer technology envelope with high-efficiency RISC-V computing IP and high-bandwidth silicon photonics chiplet communication. By leveraging the expertise of CEA-Leti and CEA-List alongside PSMC’s technologies, we will provide foundry services to customers for next-generation AI applications.”
