Altera, the renowned field-programmable gate array (FPGA) company, has officially spun off from Intel, marking a major milestone in its journey. With its headquarters in San Jose, California, Altera raised its own flag this week, signifying its independence.

Although the company remains under Intel’s ownership, it aims to increase its agility and flexibility, focusing on expanding its FPGA offerings across various industries, including automotive, aerospace, communications, and emerging fields like AI, cloud computing, edge technologies, and 6G.

“Today marks a proud milestone as we officially raise the Altera flag as an independent FPGA company,” Altera announced in a post on X. “We are excited to drive the future of innovation with agility and focus, shaping the next era of FPGA technology.”

FPGAs are crucial because of their ability to adapt quickly to shifting technological demands, making them a cost-effective alternative to more expensive application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). This adaptability is particularly valuable in areas such as AI, where the ability to rapidly update data formats and instructions is essential.

Altera’s FPGA AI Suite, for instance, is integrated with major frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch, providing developers with tools to create custom AI solutions that comply with industry standards.

Altera plans to continue its close collaboration with Intel Foundry, which will manufacture its chips using competitive production nodes. This partnership ensures a steady supply chain for Altera while allowing it the flexibility to work with other foundries, enhancing its competitiveness. The company also aims to maintain a strong presence in established markets as well as explore new opportunities in high-growth sectors.

While Altera transitions into an independent company, the move raises the possibility of an initial public offering (IPO) in the future. If the company’s strategy proves successful, it could also provide Intel with an opportunity to gain additional capital from an IPO down the line. Intel initially acquired Altera for $16.7 billion in 2015, hoping to diversify its revenue streams and strengthen its position in the datacenter sector.

Altera will be led by CEO Sandra Rivera and COO Shannon Poulin, both of whom are expected to drive the company forward into this exciting new chapter. The company’s independence is expected to provide it with the freedom to innovate more swiftly, positioning itself as a key player in the rapidly evolving FPGA and AI landscape.

SOURCE: TOMSHARDWARE