Qualcomm Inc. said it demonstrated its first processor for data centers in a move interpreted as a challenge to rival processor-maker Intel Corp. (Nasdaq: INTC). Qualcomm (Nasdaq: QCOM) added that it was distributing samples of its Centriq 2400 server processor to potential industry partners.
The San Diego business said its chip would be commercially available in the second half of 2017.
Qualcomm is working to diversify its business as growth in its core smartphone business levels off. It has also been putting resources into medical device technology, automotive processors and the Internet of Things, among other areas.
As part of a Dec. 5 event, Qualcomm Datacenter Technologies demonstrated Apache Spark and Hadoop on Linux and Java running on a Qualcomm Centriq 2400 processor.
The Centriq 2400 contains up to 48 cores. It contains extra-fine, 10 nanometer circuitry and it has what the industry calls FinFET transistors. It also contains microprocessor technology licensed by ARM. SoftBank Group Corp. of Japan owns ARM; shares of SoftBank trade on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Qualcomm plans to offer a family of Centriq processors.
Anand Chandrasekher is senior vice president and general manager of Qualcomm Datacenter Technologies.
