GlobalFoundries' IP Power Play: How RISC-V and ARC Could Shift the Chip Game

GlobalFoundries is doubling down on processor IP, but can this pure-play foundry avoid becoming a full-fledged chip designer?

The semiconductor foundry has acquired Synopsys's Processor IP Solutions business, including ARC (classic and RISC-V variants), DSP/NPU IP, and ASIP toolchains.

This follows GloFo's 2023 acquisition of MIPS, creating a "comprehensive processor IP suite" targeting automotive, embedded, and industrial markets.

The $H2 2024 transaction will maintain foundry neutrality by operating the IP portfolio as a standalone unit. ARC's application-specific instruction-set processors (ASIPs) offer flexibility for power/performance optimization, while RISC-V provides extensible open-source cores.

The integration aims to align architectural design with physical implementation using GloFo's 300mm fabrication and packaging technologies.

This move positions GlobalFoundries to compete with TSMC and Arm ecosystems by combining IP-process alignment. However, the strategic risk remains: competing with customers while maintaining foundry neutrality could challenge its business model.