Europe's First High-Performance Processor Unveiled: SiPearl's Ahena1
SiPearl, a French semiconductor company, has unveiled Ahena1, Europe's first high-performance processor. Set to be made by TSMC, Ahena1 boasts 61 billion transistors and is designed for both civilian and military use.
Ahena1, based on Arm's Neoverse V1 architecture, will be available in five configurations, offering 16 to 80 cores. It is an evolution of SiPearl's Rhea design, packed with advanced auto encryption and security features. The processor is scheduled for commercial availability in the second half of 2027, slightly later than Rhea, which is set to sample in 2026.
SiPearl argues that Ahena1's key advantage is its sovereign nature, despite potential performance and efficiency concerns by 2027. The company plans to shift the packaging of Athena CPUs from Taiwan to Europe over time, reducing reliance on foreign ecosystems.
Ahena1, Europe's first high-performance processor, is set to hit the market in late 2027. With its advanced auto security features and sovereign nature, it promises to be a significant addition to the European tech landscape. SiPearl's long-term plan to bring packaging back to Europe further underscores the company's commitment to European technological independence.
