Facebook hires a team that works on designing its own computer chips.
Facebook has revealed its plans to design and build its own computer chips. This is probably to design it’s own AI systems and hardware deveices.
What’s the need of it?
Probably Facebook wants to develop its semiconductors to lower its dependency on its chipmakers like the Qualcomm and the Intel. Actually, its processors could help the social media giant power AI software, and it’s official products like the Oculus VR headsets and the servers in its data centers.
When did we know about this
We got to know about this as a result of one job posting on Facebook’s corporate website that calls for an ASIC Development Manager with the skill set to “Build and manage an end-to-end SoC/ASIC, firmware and driver development organization,” which would include “silicon architecture, micro-architecture, RTL development, Verification, FPGA emulation, co-simulation, simulation acceleration, synthesis, DFT, floor planning, physical design place and route, DRC, LVS and GDS II stream out, and post-silicon validation.” While the posting didn’t disclose what Facebook wants to specifically use the chips for, it did suggest that the initiative is still in its early stages.
What’s SoC?
A SoC (system-on-a-chip) is a type of semiconductor that contains several discrete components built into one piece of silicon and is mostly used in mobile devices.
What’s ASIC?
An ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) is a chip designed for narrower purposes than what SoC does.
Any Tweets? Yup!
Yann LeCun, Facebook’s chief AI scientist, on Wednesday tweeted a link to a job posting asking for candidates interested in designing chips for AI.
“Interested in designing ASIC & FPGA for AI?
Design engineer positions are available at Facebook in Menlo Park.I used to be a chip designer many moons ago: my engineering diploma was in Electrical…”
Is FB the first company to do this?
Facebook is not the first company that is looking to design its own chips. Tech giants like Alphabet Inc.’s Google has developed its own chips to help power its AI systems, search and other features, while infact Apple Inc. also launched its own chips to enhance the power and efficiency of its devices.
So yeah , lots of excited news on the way.
Originally published at tharunshiv.ml on April 23, 2018.
