SiFive – New RISC-V IP Combines Scalar, Vector and Matrix Compute to Accelerate AI from the Far Edge IoT to the Data Center
SANTA CLARA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Further expanding SiFive’s lead in RISC-V AI IP, the company today launched its 2nd Generation Intelligence™ family, featuring five new RISC-V-based products designed to accelerate AI workloads across thousands of potential applications. The lineup includes two entirely new products—the X160 Gen 2 and X180 Gen 2—alongside upgraded X280 Gen 2, X390 Gen 2 and XM Gen 2. These new products all featureenhanced scalar, vector and, specifically with XM, matrix processing capabilities designed for modern AI workloads.
We’re seeing strong traction including adoption of the new X100 series by two Tier 1 U.S. semiconductor companies.
The X160 Gen 2 and X180 Gen 2 target far edge compute and IoT applications, achieving high efficiency in a compact footprint and delivering advanced AI functionality to the deeply embedded edge, which is heavily constrained by power and area. Target industries include automotive, autonomous robotics, industrial automation, and smart IoT.
Patrick Little, CEO of SiFive, said:
AI is catalyzing the next era of the RISC-V revolution,
“We’re seeing strong traction including adoption of the new X100 series by two Tier 1 U.S. semiconductor companies. Our new 2nd Generation Intelligence IP builds on this momentum, adding new features and configurability to accelerate our customers’ designs and time to market.”
Fast Growing Opportunity
A Deloitte survey predicts at least 20% AI workload growth in every tech environment, including 78% growth in AI edge computing.
Pat Moorhead, Founder, CEO and Chief Analyst, Moor Insights and Strategy, said:
SiFive is investing to take advantage of the tremendous growth that is occurring in edge AI compute, innovating in markets that need more focus and optionality,
“The new SiFive Intelligence Gen 2 products bring several novel features that could solve real customer problems and bring solid solutions with unique methods of performance and efficiency.”
Vector Processing Advantage
Vector engines process multiple data items in parallel, reducing instruction overhead and power consumption. SiFive’s vector-based RISC-V IPs strike the right balance between efficiency, configurability and performance. Compared to traditional scalar only CPUs, vector CPUs can run AI models faster, with a smaller footprint and lower power consumption—ideal for edge AI applications.
Real-World Applications
Advanced AI Computation: From narrow to wide vector engines, to XM with a highly scalable Matrix engine, SiFive’s 2nd Generation Intelligence IP offers customers a wide range of performance, area and power options within a single scalable ISA as AI permeates all markets and form factors.
Accelerator Control and Assist: All X-Series IPs can function as an Accelerator Control Unit (ACU), providing control and assist functions for a customer’s accelerator engine via specialized co-processor interfaces (SSCI and VCIX). This allows customers to focus on data processing innovations at the platform level and simplifies the software stack.
Available Now
All five Intelligence Gen 2 products are available for licensing immediately, with first silicon expected in Q2 2026.
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SiFive – New RISC-V IP Combines Scalar, Vector and Matrix Compute to Accelerate AI from the Far Edge IoT to the Data Center, source
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