NVIDIA and MediaTek Partner on NVLink IP and 224G SerDes

Recent reports reveal that the collaboration between MediaTek and NVIDIA continues to deepen, moving beyond hardware development to include semiconductor intellectual property (IP). The two companies are set to jointly develop advanced IP solutions, such as NVLink IP, long-range 224G SerDes, and automotive-grade AEC standards. Industry analysts suggest that NVIDIA's move into the ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) sector is strategic, enabling faster expansion with MediaTek's expertise while navigating brand challenges.

As this collaboration grows, more cloud service providers (CSPs) are expected to explore partnerships with MediaTek. The adoption of NVLink IP could significantly enhance the appeal of NVIDIA's switch solutions, fostering a mutually beneficial situation for both companies and their customers.

During NVIDIA's recent GTC conference, MediaTek showcased its Premium ASIC design services, highlighting the expansion of their partnership into the IP domain. This collaboration offers a more flexible business model that provides various customized chips, including HBM4E, supported by an extensive cell library, advanced process technologies, and packaging experience. Together, MediaTek and NVIDIA offer a comprehensive solution for customized chips, addressing complex market demands.

MediaTek emphasized its SerDes technology as a core advantage for ASIC design, covering chip interconnects, high-speed I/O, advanced packaging, and memory integration. The companies are deepening their collaboration with leading global foundries, utilizing cutting-edge process nodes. By applying Design Technology Co-Optimization (DTCO), they aim to achieve the best balance between performance, power consumption, and area (PPA).

One notable development is the 112Gb/s DSP-based PAM-4 receiver, built using a 4nm FinFET process, which provides over 52dB loss compensation. This breakthrough ensures lower signal attenuation and enhanced interference resistance, making it ideal for applications such as Ethernet and long-range optical fiber transmission. MediaTek has also introduced the 224G SerDes designed specifically for data center use, with silicon verification already completed.

According to market research, several cloud service providers are evaluating the custom chip designs from NVIDIA and MediaTek's combined IP portfolio. Although Google's TPU (Tensor Processing Unit) project has faced slight delays, the seventh-generation TPU is expected to enter mass production by Q3 next year. The shift to a 3nm process is expected to generate over $2 billion in additional contributions for MediaTek.

Supply chain sources also reveal that Google's eighth-generation TPU will transition to TSMC's 2nm process, solidifying its position at the forefront of advanced semiconductor technology. Industry experts believe that MediaTek is well-positioned to become a key beneficiary of AI needs, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Analysts predict that the upcoming release of the GB10 chip—based on Arm-designed CPUs—and the highly anticipated N1x WoA chip, both of which are expected to significantly enhance MediaTek's business operations, will further solidify the company's standing in the semiconductor industry.