The UK has a peculiar concentration of small, highly profitable, often family-owned businesses—"micro behemoths"—that dominate niche global markets. These companies, typically with 10-100 employees and revenues exceeding £10 million, thrive due to specialized expertise, long-term focus, and aversion to rapid growth or outside investment. They prioritize profitability over scale, often operating under the radar and demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of economic downturns. This "hidden economy" forms a significant, yet often overlooked, contributor to British economic strength, showcasing a unique model of business success.
Ken Shirriff reverse-engineered interesting BiCMOS circuits within the Intel Pentium processor, specifically focusing on the clock driver and the bus transceiver. He discovered a clever BiCMOS clock driver design that utilizes both bipolar and CMOS transistors to achieve high speed and low power consumption. This driver employs a push-pull output stage with bipolar transistors for fast switching and CMOS transistors for level shifting. Shirriff also analyzed the Pentium's bus transceiver, revealing a BiCMOS circuit designed for bidirectional communication with external memory. This transceiver leverages the benefits of both technologies to achieve both high speed and strong drive capability. Overall, the analysis showcases the sophisticated circuit design techniques employed in the Pentium to balance performance and power efficiency.
HN commenters generally praised the article for its detailed analysis and clear explanations of complex circuitry. Several appreciated the author's approach of combining visual inspection with simulations to understand the chip's functionality. Some pointed out the rarity and value of such in-depth reverse-engineering work, particularly on older hardware. A few commenters with relevant experience added further insights, discussing topics like the challenges of delayering chips and the evolution of circuit design techniques. One commenter shared a similar decapping endeavor revealing the construction of a different Intel chip. Overall, the discussion expressed admiration for the technical skill and dedication involved in this type of reverse-engineering project.
Summary of Comments ( 44 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42802778
HN commenters generally praised the article for its clear explanation of the complexities of the UK's semiconductor industry, particularly surrounding Arm. Several highlighted the geopolitical implications of Arm's dependence on global markets and the precarious position this puts the UK in. Some questioned the framing of Arm as a "British" company, given its global ownership and reach. Others debated the wisdom of Nvidia's attempted acquisition and the subsequent IPO, with opinions split on the long-term consequences for Arm's future. A few pointed out the article's omission of details regarding specific chip designs and technical advancements, suggesting this would have enriched the narrative. Some commenters also offered further context, such as the role of Hermann Hauser and Acorn Computers in Arm's origins, or discussed the specific challenges faced by smaller British semiconductor companies.
The Hacker News post "The British Micro Behemoth" (linking to an article about the UK's ARM Holdings) has generated a significant discussion with a variety of comments. Several key themes and compelling arguments emerge.
Many commenters focus on the implications of ARM's business model, which centers on licensing its architecture rather than manufacturing chips itself. Some praise this "fabless" model as brilliantly capitalistic, highlighting how it allows ARM to focus on design and innovation while leveraging the manufacturing capabilities of its partners. This approach is contrasted with the integrated model of companies like Intel, with commenters debating the relative merits of each. Concerns are raised about the potential vulnerability of the fabless model to geopolitical factors, particularly given ARM's reliance on global manufacturing partners and the increasing tensions around semiconductor production.
Another prevalent topic is the comparison between ARM and other major players in the semiconductor industry, notably Intel and x86. Several commenters discuss the historical dominance of x86 in the desktop and server markets, and the subsequent rise of ARM in mobile and embedded systems. The ongoing competition between these architectures is analyzed, with some predicting a continued shift towards ARM, especially in the context of increasing power efficiency demands. Others express skepticism about ARM's ability to fully displace x86 in performance-critical applications.
Several comments delve into the technical aspects of ARM's architecture, discussing its RISC design principles and comparing them to the CISC architecture of x86. The relative simplicity and power efficiency of ARM are highlighted, while also acknowledging the performance advantages that x86 can offer in certain scenarios.
The acquisition of ARM by Nvidia, and its subsequent collapse, is also a recurring theme. Commenters express varied opinions on the potential benefits and drawbacks of such a merger, with some arguing that it could have stifled innovation and competition in the industry. The regulatory scrutiny that ultimately led to the deal's termination is also discussed, with some commenters suggesting that it was a necessary intervention to protect the open licensing model that has fueled ARM's success.
Finally, the discussion touches on the broader implications of the semiconductor industry for national security and economic competitiveness. The importance of securing access to advanced chip technology is emphasized, with some commenters advocating for greater government investment in domestic semiconductor manufacturing. The geopolitical aspects of chip production and the potential for supply chain disruptions are also highlighted, particularly in the context of the ongoing tensions between the US and China.
In summary, the comments on the Hacker News post offer a diverse range of perspectives on ARM's history, business model, and future prospects. The discussion delves into technical details, strategic considerations, and geopolitical implications, providing a comprehensive overview of the complexities surrounding this crucial player in the semiconductor industry.