Indian Research Agency Opens Major Chip Prototyping Hub to Boost Semiconductor Ecosystem
India has taken a significant step toward strengthening its domestic semiconductor ecosystem with the launch of a major chip prototyping and validation hub in Bengaluru. The Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), a premier research and development organization under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has unveiled its largest pre-silicon validation facility to date.
Named PRITVI-ACE, the facility is designed to support large-scale, near-real-speed prototyping and validation of complex chip designs before they are sent for fabrication. The initiative aligns with India’s broader ambition to move from a services-led semiconductor role to a product-driven and innovation-focused industry.
Why Pre-Silicon Validation Matters
Pre-silicon validation is one of the most critical and expensive stages in the chip development process. It involves testing and verifying a chip’s design before it is physically manufactured. Any flaw discovered after fabrication—commonly referred to as an error in the “first silicon”—can lead to major cost overruns and delays.
By enabling deeper and more extensive validation before fabrication, PRITVI-ACE aims to improve first-silicon success rates. Higher success rates can significantly reduce costs for startups, academic researchers, and product developers, giving them a competitive edge in a highly capital-intensive industry.
Near-Real-Speed Prototyping at Scale
One of the key strengths of the PRITVI-ACE facility is its ability to run large and complex chip designs at near real-world speeds. This allows engineers to identify system-level issues that may not be visible in slower simulations.
The facility supports end-to-end validation, covering areas such as system-level testing, firmware validation, and protocol compliance checks. This comprehensive approach helps ensure that chips function correctly not just in isolation, but as part of complete hardware-software systems.
A Shared National Resource
PRITVI-ACE has been set up as a shared national facility, accessible to semiconductor startups, research institutions, and academic organizations across the country. By lowering the cost of advanced prototyping and validation infrastructure, the facility seeks to democratize access to high-end semiconductor R&D tools.
Instead of functioning as an export-oriented service, the hub is positioned as national capacity-building infrastructure. Its goal is to support domestic innovation, reduce dependency on overseas validation resources, and accelerate India’s chip development timelines.
Advanced Technology Backbone
The new facility runs on Siemens EDA’s Veloce Pro FPGA platform and uses AMD Xilinx FPGAs. Field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) are reconfigurable chips widely used to emulate and prototype semiconductor designs before manufacturing.
This advanced setup enables detailed hardware emulation and verification, helping developers test design logic, software interaction, and performance characteristics long before fabrication begins.
Building Skills Beyond Chip Design
Beyond validating chips, PRITVI-ACE is expected to play a major role in skill development across the semiconductor value chain. Working with FPGA-based emulation platforms helps engineers gain expertise in hardware prototyping, verification, and system-level testing—areas that command higher value in global semiconductor workflows.
This knowledge base can gradually move India up the value ladder, from design services toward ownership of intellectual property and full-stack semiconductor product development.
Supporting India’s Semiconductor Vision
The launch of PRITVI-ACE fits into India’s broader semiconductor strategy, which emphasizes domestic capability, research depth, and ecosystem development. By offering advanced validation infrastructure within the country, India reduces risks associated with chip development while creating a stronger foundation for innovation.
As access expands to startups and universities, the facility is expected to foster collaboration, accelerate research, and help nurture the next generation of semiconductor talent—bringing India closer to its goal of becoming a global semiconductor powerhouse.
Comments
Post a Comment