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[I don't know about Google but] lots of people do relatively specialized silicon. However, rarely that happens at the most advanced processes (i.e. low nm).
by mehrdada 9y ago
[I don't know about Google but] lots of people do relatively specialized silicon. However, rarely that happens at the most advanced processes (i.e. low nm).
- monocasa 9y agoThat's totally fair. Google's parts that I know about are security coprocessors (like a TPM) that wouldn't really need the newest process. They probably have NICs too that might make sense at that node though.
- Cyph0n 9y agoTheir NICs probably use off the shelf ICs from Broadcom or similar. In other words, Google would only handle PCB layout and up. Besides, modern analog ICs are usually fabbed using custom processes and in-house lower node fabs. Designing high-speed RF ICs is a huge effort, and as far as I know, Google does not have such capability.
- monocasa 9y agoIDK, they're still actively supporting the LLVM backend for Myricom's LANai chips, despite Myricom being sold off a few years ago. And the NICs don't really need custom high speed RF, the foundry has a SERDES block that'll work just fine for connecting to a phy.
- Cyph0n 9y agoYes, but what I was saying is that Google likely does not design the PHY and/or other such low-level components. I am trying to point out that designing a NIC is not equivalent to designing custom ICs, unless you are also designing the ICs used in the NIC.
- monocasa 9y agoThe PHYs aren't even on the same board for them; it's just SERDES going to a connector. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_form-factor_pluggable_transceiver https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_form-factor_pluggable_tr...
- wmf 9y agoGoogle has a custom NIC ASIC derived from the Myri-10G family. Google has also designed the TPUv1, TPUv2, Visual Core, and Titan chips (that we know of).
- Cyph0n 9y agoTPUs are digital ICs. I was talking about analog ICs. That Myri IC seems interesting though.