In the world of electronics, chiplet technology has recently garnered significant attention. This approach offers promising solutions to many challenges faced by the industry today. But what exactly are chiplets, and why are they making headlines?
A System-on-Chip (SoC) is a type of circuit that performs many, or all of the functions that an electronic component needs.
Traditional SoC models have come a long way. With increased transistor density, modern SoCs are now far more powerful. One chip usually performs multiple jobs like processing, memory, and high-speed input/output (I/O) communication.
However, the industry is now exploring options beyond the traditional SoC structure. Some chip functions have already reached their optimum performance for their circuit size, and shrinking them anymore to include them in an SoC would not improve performance and would just be an unnecessary cost.
Chiplets, also known as multi-chip modules, work by separating the SoC into smaller, functioning parts of a chip, which can then be mixed and matched to create a specialised circuit. They can include sections like processors, graphics units, memory, AI accelerators and I/O functions. Essentially, a set of chiplets can work like an SoC on a module, offering a flexible and efficient way to build new systems.
Better performance: Since the chiplets can be mixed and matched, the circuit can be specialised for its function, and the closer the parts are together, the lower the power consumption.
Energy efficiency: Chiplets use less power than their predecessors and reduce data movement.
Cost efficiency: Costs of making these mini circuits compared to producing more complex chips are reduced. The chiplets can also be made in higher quantities at a quicker rate than monolithic chips.
Flexibility and adaptability: Chiplets can be added or removed to change the function and performance of the SoC. It is also possible to update or replace sections, making them highly adaptable.
The newest AI models need more storage space and faster memory access than a regular chip can provide. With chiplets, it is possible to have a processing unit, AI accelerator, and stacks of memory all working as if they were on the same chip, potentially even faster. This architecture can significantly improve the efficiency of AI tasks.
Training an AI model requires monumental computing power and energy consumption, with some sources saying generating a single image could take “as much energy as fully charging a smartphone”. Therefore, the energy efficiency improvements provided by a single chiplet circuit could have huge implications when used on a larger scale.
Producing chiplets at scale could have much higher yields than when producing larger, monolithic chip architectures. For organisations requiring large quantities of a particular system, a chiplet structure could be really beneficial. Additionally, this structure could allow more industries and smaller businesses to access newer technology with lower costs, potentially expanding equity in chipmaking research and access to modern technology.
With AI rapidly evolving, the shorter design and development cycles and reduced time-to-market offered by chiplets are critical advantages. The market for chiplets is expected to grow significantly. According to MarketsandMarkets, the chiplet market is forecasted to reach a value of $148 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of 86.7%.
Chiplets make it possible to have mini systems that can be reused and combined as required. This revolutionary technology promises to transform the electronics industry by providing higher efficiency, lower costs, and greater flexibility. In the future, chiplets may play a crucial role in the advancement of computing and technology.
To keep all the parts of your business moving, Cyclops Electronics is on hand to fulfil all your electronic component requirements, no matter what you need to mix and match. Whether you need regular, hard-to-find or obsolete parts, our specialist Account Managers and global facilities are here to support your needs.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you with your electronic component requirements.
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