Europe has taken a decisive step toward technological sovereignty with an announcement that went largely unnoticed by the headlines but carries significant importance: the test chip, eProcessor, is now successfully executing Linux applications in silicon. Developed under the framework of the Horizon 2020 research program and supported by the European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (JU), this project consolidates over three years of work on a processor built with the open architecture RISC-V.
Alberto González Trejo, an engineer and researcher, disclosed this on LinkedIn. Following a positive review from the European Commission, he stated, “After more than 3 years of hard work, I am proud to share that the eProcessor test chip is now successfully running Linux applications in silicon.” This modest statement encapsulates a milestone that positions Europe to compete with American and Asian giants in high-performance, energy-efficient processors.
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A processor with a European identity and open-source DNA
The eProcessor isn’t just another chip among countless industry launches. Its value proposition is twofold:
- European in conception, development, and funding.
- Based on RISC-V, an open architecture breaking decades of reliance on closed standards like x86 (Intel, AMD) or ARM (owned by SoftBank and publicly traded on Nasdaq).
The central goal is to deliver an extensible, energy-efficient, and scalable processor designed for both HPC (High Performance Computing) and embedded applications, backed by a fully open hardware and software ecosystem.
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Technical features: muscle with a future-oriented vision
The test chip (TC1) features a design that measures up to large commercial developments:
- 4-way superscalar out-of-order RV64GCV core capable of executing instructions out of order to enhance performance.
- Enhanced vector unit with its own LSU (Load-Store Unit) and memory disambiguation.
- Support for long vectors (VLEN = 8,192 bits), amplifying capacity for scientific, AI, and bioinformatics applications.
- Custom instructions (INT1/4/8 and systolic) tailored for accelerating specific calculations.
- FPU units for FP8, BF16, FP32, and FP64, covering from low precision—ideal for AI—to double precision for scientific computing.
- Hardware architecture managed through CHI-compatible nodes, with L2 caches, Home Nodes, and a comprehensive peripheral set (UART, SPI, GPIO, PLIC, CLINT, JTAG).
- Analog chip-to-chip (C2C) links for efficient interconnection.
While a dual-core version wasn’t manufactured in time, a FPGA prototype was developed to validate the system’s coherent architecture in multi-core configurations.
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Linux at the core of eProcessor
The ability of the eProcessor to run Linux applications is a notable milestone: Linux has become the operating system of choice across servers, supercomputing, AI, and embedded devices. Achieving full compatibility signals that the processor is ready for integration into real research and production environments.
This milestone indicates a point of technological maturity: transitioning from simulations or FPGA prototypes to running a complete operating system in silicon marks the boundary between an academic project and a technology poised for scaling.
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A crucial piece in Europe’s broader strategy
The project isn’t isolated; it’s part of a broader European Union strategy to reduce dependency on the US and Asia in critical areas such as semiconductors and high-performance computing.
In 2022, the EU launched the European Chips Act, aiming to mobilize over 43 billion euros in investments by 2030. The eProcessor exemplifies the goal of having own, open processors tailored to European needs.
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Applications: from supercomputing to bioinformatics
The potential of the eProcessor is broad:
- HPC (High Performance Computing): European supercomputing centers can integrate their own processors into future clusters, reducing reliance on companies like Intel, AMD, or NVIDIA.
- AI/ML/DL: Thanks to its vector unit and custom instructions, it can efficiently run training and inference algorithms.
- Big Data and HPDA (High Performance Data Analytics): intense data processing with energy efficiency.
- Bioinformatics: genetic sequencing analysis and biomolecular simulations requiring large vector widths.
- Embedded critical applications: from automotive to defense, where technological sovereignty is vital.
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Community and ecosystem: beyond the chip
The eProcessor isn’t just a chip; it’s a comprehensive ecosystem that includes:
- The physical hardware (the TC1).
- A multi-core FPGA-based emulation system.
- An advanced GEM5-based simulator.
- Low-level software compatible with the RISC-V architecture.
This approach aims to create a robust foundation for European researchers, companies, and authorities to develop applications without relying on third countries or proprietary licenses.
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Next steps: from eProcessor to the DARE project
After completing the eProcessor, some team members have already started working on the DARE project, focused on integration and deployment. The goal is to leverage the technological base achieved to accelerate the introduction of European processors into production environments.
The journey won’t be easy. Competitors like NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel spend billions quarterly on R&D. However, the strategic value of an open European chip is undeniable, both economically and geopolitically.
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A silent but strategic victory
The eProcessor news might not make headlines like a new iPhone or a NVIDIA GPU, but in the medium and long term, its impact could be greater for European digital sovereignty. The ability to develop native processors based on open architecture, aligned with the continent’s needs, opens the door to a less dependent and more resilient technological ecosystem.
In a world where semiconductors are the new oil, every line of code executed on a European chip counts.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the eProcessor and why does it matter?
It’s a European processor based on the open RISC-V architecture. Its significance lies in advancing Europe’s technological sovereignty in semiconductors, reducing reliance on foreign manufacturers.
2. What does it mean for it to run Linux in silicon?
It means the chip is not just a prototype or simulation, but capable of running a full operating system on physical hardware, validating its practicality for real-world applications.
3. What practical applications can the eProcessor have?
From supercomputing (HPC) to AI, bioinformatics, Big Data, and critical embedded applications across industry, science, and defense.
4. How does it compare to processors from Intel, AMD, or NVIDIA?
While still in early stages and not yet rivaling the raw power of the latest commercial chips, its value is in being open, extensible, and European, making it a strategic piece beyond performance alone.
More information at https://eprocessor.eu/