Intel licenses Atom-class x86 cores to startup — firm reportedly sharing RTL, enabling customers to build custom processors based on x86 general-purpose cores

Reuters says Intel quietly gave startup RosaicLabs access to an Atom-class x86 core and plans to supply RTL code.

That would let RosaicLabs design custom x86-based system-on-chips at Intel Foundry or other fabs.

The deal is notable because Intel has generally avoided licensing its CPU cores, especially for broad outside use.

The undisclosed terms leave open how much control RosaicLabs will have and which markets Intel will allow it to target.