docs(notes): update 2025-03-29-nvidia-en.md

Author: lzwjava

notes/2025-03-29-nvidia-en.md

@@ -38,4 +38,50 @@ NVIDIA is currently working on several major technology areas:
 8. Edge AI and Embedded Systems:
    - Jetson platform for robotics and edge applications
 
-Note that my knowledge cutoff is from October 2024, so there may be newer initiatives or product developments since then that I'm not aware of.
+Note that my knowledge cutoff is from October 2024, so there may be newer initiatives or product developments since then that I'm not aware of.
+
+---
+
+NVIDIA Corporation is a global technology leader renowned for its contributions to graphics processing units (GPUs), artificial intelligence (AI), and high-performance computing. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, NVIDIA has transformed from a graphics-focused company into a powerhouse driving advancements in AI, gaming, automotive technology, and data centers. Its GPUs are integral to industries ranging from entertainment to scientific research, and its innovations have positioned it as a cornerstone of modern computing.
+
+### Founding and Early Years (1993–1999)
+NVIDIA was founded in April 1993 by Jensen Huang, Chris Malachowsky, and Curtis Priem, three engineers with a vision to revolutionize computer graphics. Huang, who remains the company’s CEO as of 2025, had a background in microprocessor design, while Malachowsky and Priem specialized in graphics and chip design. The trio identified the growing demand for advanced graphics in personal computing and gaming, which was then dominated by 2D graphics and rudimentary 3D capabilities.
+
+The company’s name, derived from the Latin word “invidia” (envy), reflected its ambition to create cutting-edge technology. In 1995, NVIDIA released its first product, the NV1, a multimedia card for PCs that integrated 2D/3D graphics, audio, and game controller support. While the NV1 was not a commercial success due to its proprietary architecture and competition from 3Dfx’s Voodoo, it laid the groundwork for NVIDIA’s focus on graphics innovation.
+
+### Rise to Prominence: The GeForce Era (1999–2000s)
+NVIDIA’s breakthrough came in 1999 with the launch of the GeForce 256, marketed as the world’s first GPU. Unlike previous graphics cards, the GeForce 256 offloaded complex geometry and lighting calculations from the CPU, introducing hardware transform and lighting (T&L). This innovation delivered unprecedented performance for 3D gaming and established NVIDIA as a leader in the graphics industry. The GeForce 256’s success helped NVIDIA outpace competitors like 3Dfx, which it later acquired in 2000.
+
+Throughout the 2000s, NVIDIA expanded its GeForce brand, releasing successive generations of GPUs that pushed the boundaries of visual fidelity. The company also introduced the nForce chipset for motherboards and entered the professional graphics market with the Quadro series for workstations. In 2006, NVIDIA launched CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture), a parallel computing platform that allowed GPUs to perform general-purpose computing tasks beyond graphics rendering. CUDA marked a pivotal shift, enabling NVIDIA’s GPUs to tackle scientific simulations, financial modeling, and eventually AI.
+
+### Transition to AI and Data Centers (2010s)
+The 2010s saw NVIDIA pivot toward AI and high-performance computing, driven by the rise of deep learning. Researchers discovered that NVIDIA’s GPUs, with their parallel processing capabilities, were ideal for training neural networks. This led to explosive growth in NVIDIA’s data center business, with its GPUs powering AI workloads for companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon.
+
+In 2014, NVIDIA introduced the Tegra series of system-on-chip (SoC) processors for mobile devices and automotive applications. The DRIVE platform, launched around the same time, positioned NVIDIA as a key player in autonomous vehicles, providing AI-powered solutions for self-driving cars. Partnerships with automakers like Tesla, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz solidified NVIDIA’s presence in the automotive sector.
+
+The company also continued to dominate gaming with its GeForce RTX series, introduced in 2018, which brought real-time ray tracing and AI-enhanced graphics (via DLSS, or Deep Learning Super Sampling) to consumers. Meanwhile, NVIDIA’s professional visualization segment grew with Quadro and A100 GPUs, used in fields like architecture, film production, and scientific research.
+
+### Acquisitions and Expansion (2020s)
+NVIDIA’s ambition to shape the future of computing led to significant acquisitions. In 2020, it announced a $40 billion deal to acquire Arm Holdings, a leader in CPU architecture, from SoftBank. The acquisition, intended to bolster NVIDIA’s AI and IoT capabilities, faced regulatory scrutiny and was ultimately terminated in 2022. Despite the setback, NVIDIA continued to invest heavily in AI infrastructure.
+
+In 2022, NVIDIA launched the H100 GPU, based on its Hopper architecture, designed specifically for AI and large-scale data center workloads. The H100 became a cornerstone of AI training for models like those powering ChatGPT, driving unprecedented demand for NVIDIA’s data center solutions. By 2023, NVIDIA’s market capitalization surpassed $1 trillion, reflecting its dominance in the AI boom.
+
+NVIDIA also expanded its software ecosystem with platforms like Omniverse, a collaborative 3D design environment, and DGX systems for enterprise AI. Its Grace CPU Superchip, introduced in 2022, marked NVIDIA’s entry into high-performance CPU design, competing with Intel and AMD.
+
+### Current Position and Impact (2025)
+As of May 2025, NVIDIA is a titan in technology, with a market cap fluctuating around $2–3 trillion. Its business segments include:
+- **Gaming**: GeForce GPUs power millions of gaming PCs and consoles (e.g., Nintendo Switch via Tegra).
+- **Data Center**: GPUs like the H100 and upcoming Blackwell architecture dominate AI training and inference.
+- **Automotive**: DRIVE platforms enable autonomous driving and in-vehicle AI.
+- **Professional Visualization**: Quadro and A-series GPUs support industries like film, engineering, and healthcare.
+- **Edge Computing and IoT**: Jetson platforms cater to robotics and embedded AI.
+
+NVIDIA’s influence extends beyond hardware. Its software ecosystem, including CUDA, cuDNN, and TensorRT, is critical to AI development. The company’s annual GTC (GPU Technology Conference) showcases its latest innovations and has become a major event for AI and tech communities.
+
+### Challenges and Controversies
+NVIDIA’s rapid growth has not been without challenges. Its dominance in AI hardware has raised concerns about market concentration, prompting regulatory scrutiny. Supply chain constraints, particularly during the 2020–2022 chip shortage, highlighted vulnerabilities in global semiconductor production. Additionally, NVIDIA has faced criticism for high GPU prices and limited availability, especially during cryptocurrency mining booms that strained gaming GPU supplies.
+
+### Legacy and Future
+NVIDIA’s journey from a graphics card manufacturer to an AI and computing juggernaut is- NVIDIA’s GPUs have reshaped gaming, AI, and autonomous driving, and its software platforms have empowered developers and researchers worldwide. Under Jensen Huang’s leadership, NVIDIA continues to push the boundaries of technology, with a focus on AI, quantum computing, and the metaverse. As industries increasingly rely on AI and real-time computing, NVIDIA’s innovations will likely remain at the forefront, driving the next wave of technological transformation.
+
+This comprehensive overview reflects NVIDIA’s evolution, impact, and ongoing role in shaping the future of technology, grounded in its history and current trajectory as of May 2025.