The Central Processing Unit (known by the acronym CPU, Central Processing Unit) or processor is one of the most important components of a device (computers, smartphones, and other programmable devices) and is located within the hardware. It is the central unit of a computer, the kernel.
Its function is to interpret the instructions of a computer program by carrying out the basic arithmetic, logical, and external operations, coming from the input/output unit. In other words, it is the brain of the machine.
Due to its paramount importance within a computer, and its complexity, designing a CPU is a task that requires great rigor from start to finish and therefore can take time. Given the complex processes that are carried out to build this type of system (architecture, logical design, programming, etc.), it is normal for a team of engineers to take months to develop them.
But with the improvement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) the deadlines can be greatly reduced. That is what a group of researchers from different countries belonging to the University of Science and Technology of China have shown. The experiment has produced some really surprising results, which could revolutionize the sector.
As part of their research, what the team of experts did was train an AI with design data from CPUs with RISC-V architecture. They then carried out a binary decision diagram and finally the Monte-Carlo method to improve the accuracy and efficiency of AI-driven design at the first link in the chain.
Carrying out this process, 99.99% positive results were achieved… in just 5 hours!
The theory had worked satisfactorily, but it remained to be put into practice in a real setting to confirm that working in this way, following these processes, was viable.
The researchers fabricated a RISC-V321A CPU in a 65-nanometer process and obtained a central processing unit capable of reaching 300 MHz speed. The experiment had been a success.
But they did not stop there. They tested this CPU with a Linux operating system (Kernel 5.1) and its functionality was re-verified. However, the features offered are similar to a CPU designed 30 years ago but the researchers are optimistic that this has been achieved in just 5 hours, and it has many possibilities for growth and improvement.
“Our approach reduces the design cycle by approximately 1,000 times because the traditional CPU design verification and manual programming process, which consumes more than 60% to 80% of design time and resources, is completely eliminated.” it reads in the document that they have published. He claims that it takes humans 4,560 hours (190 days) to complete the entire design of a traditional CPU, such as the Intel K486.
