Open hardware IP can create the same compounding economy that open-source software brought to applications. Reusable Wi-Fi, 5G, USB, compute, and control cores let teams assemble sophisticated systems instead of rebuilding foundations behind proprietary walls.
Brian Greenforest sees the end of easy transistor scaling as the moment for an npm-like explosion of hardware components.
Reuse Multiplies Engineering Power
A well-defined core packages behavior, interfaces, tests, timing expectations, and implementation knowledge. Every new project can start from that working layer and spend its effort on the system’s unique value.
Shared cores also create a common language across universities, independent designers, semiconductor companies, and product teams. Improvements flow into an ecosystem rather than disappearing inside one device.
Build the Registry for Machines
An open hardware economy needs discoverable packages, versioning, dependency management, simulation, verification, licensing, and repeatable synthesis across target fabrics.
Protocol owners, FPGA vendors, EDA teams, and open-source developers can create that infrastructure together. Publish a core, improve a tool, or build the registry that lets hardware reuse compound.
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Open hardware IP cores, open wi-fi, open 5G IP, open USB are coming! The end of Moore's Law can be only solved by an npm-like Cambrian explosion where all massive players open all their hardware IP and start benefiting significantly from wiring much more sophisticated systems, than if they used the proprietary model. The same economy of scale from open source software is coming to open hardware. Wonderful times to live at!
