Wave Computing has reportedly snagged Broadcom Inc. as an ASIC designer for a 7-nm AI processor.

The two companies will collaborate on development of Wave's next-generation Datafset its sights on becoming the first AI startup to develop and deploy a 7-nm AI processor in its AI systems, EETimes.com has learned.

Wave's next-generation Dataflow Processing Unit (DPU) will by manufactured using Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s 7-nm process node.

The new 7-nm DPU will be "designed into our own AI system," confirmed Wave's CEO, Derek Meyer. He added that the same chip may become available to others "if there is a market demand."

Broadcom gained senior ASIC circuit design experience through the acquisition of LSI Logic.

Wave's current-generation DPU is based on a 16-nm process design.

Meyer said that the new chip will be based on the data flow architecture. It will be the first DPU featuring "4-bit MIPS multithreaded CPU.". Wave acquired MIPS in June.

Meyer also indicated that Wave's 7-nm chip will come with "new features in memory," but he refrained from disclosing what exactly those features are.

Meyer boasted that the new 7-nm DPU should be able to offer 10 times the performance of the company's current chip.