India unveils a homegrown dual-core 1GHz RISC-V processor, the DHRUV64

India’s Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) on Monday revealed its most advanced processor yet and hailed it as a “reliable” product and a step towards the creation of a domestic semiconductor industry that challenges current global giantswhe.

The new DHRUV64 won’t scare established chip designers because it’s a modest affair that runs at 1.0 GHz, packs a pair of RISC-V cores, and is built on a 28nm process node. CDAC didn’t reveal the chip’s power consumption requirements, whether it is making the design available to others, or has engaged foundries so they are ready to produce the chips.

The organization did suggest DHRUV64 is suitable for “5G infrastructure, automotive systems, consumer electronics, industrial automation and the Internet of Things (IoT).” Those are fields in which established chipmakers already offer mature products, and accompanying software and hardware development ecosystems. Even the most patriotic ...