Synopsys and IIT-B partnered in setting up semiconductor lab for virtual fab
Date: 06/11/2023
Semiconductor chip design EDA sofware leader Synopsys partnered with Indian Institute of Technology Bombay in setting up semiconductor lab for virtual Fab as part of the Department of Electrical Engineering under the Center for Semiconductor Technologies (SemiX) to aid in developing talent for semiconductor industry. SemiX was established at IIT Bombay to provide an interdisciplinary platform for industry-focused research and education, entrepreneurship, and policy studies.
The new lab was inaugarated on 16th Oct 2023 in the presence of executives from the IIT Bombay and Synopsys.
This lab to provide semiconductor engineering students with the software solutions to cultivate knowledge on how to develop new technologies that will help advance semiconductor process technology development. Technology computer aided design (TCAD) tools donated by the Synopsys Academic & Research Alliances (SARA) initiative will be used by students, professors, and industry allies for hands-on experience with the latest process technologies, materials, and device architectures.
Synopsys explains "TCAD is foundational to the development of semiconductor technology by enabling engineers to explore design technology co-optimization (DTCO) techniques and perform cost-effective and accurate experiments that ultimately improve quality of results and time to results in the semiconductor product lifecycle. Synopsys TCAD solutions utilize computer simulations based on physics models and machine learning approaches to predict the changes in the behavior of semiconductor materials, devices, and structures from node to node. The solutions enable engineers to complete critical design development phases including the process level to mimic steps in fabrication and the device level to simulate how electrical currents move through a device."
Among the premier institutes in India, IIT Bombay consistently providing the basic infrastructure, tools and guidance from many decades in the area of semiconductor manufacturing. Center for Semiconductor Technologies features more than forty-five faculty specializing in electrical and mechanical engineering, materials science, physics, and chemistry with additional world-class labs, including the IITB Nano Fab and VLSI Design Lab that run flagship national training programs in technology and design. IIT Bombay has played a central role as India grows its strength in nanoelectronics research.
The new virtual fab in the lab to address the issue of shortage of semiconductor manufacturing talent both in India and worldwide.
“IIT Bombay has pioneered world-class research and education in semiconductor technology and design,” said Professor Subhasis Chaudhuri, director, IIT Bombay, speaking about the collaboration. “The Synopsys Semiconductor Lab for Virtual Fab Solutions builds on our past collaboration in semiconductor research and education to boost India Semiconductor Mission’s efforts to grow the semiconductor ecosystem by infusing innovation and talent at the global scale.”
“The industry is approaching a crossroads marked by growing demand for increasingly advanced silicon chips and an engineering talent shortage that threatens to stifle innovation,” said Raj Nair, vice president of Product Management at GlobalFoundries and member of the IIT Bombay SemiX Advisory Board. “Today, more than ever before, the world needs top talent for the significant growth expected in the semiconductor industry. The Synopsys Semiconductor Lab for Virtual Fab Solutions at IIT Bombay is an excellent example of how industry and academia collaboration can help produce the trained professionals our industry needs.”
“Software simulation tools can help speed the adoption of new materials and architectures, which are key to enabling higher performance, more power-efficient chips for the IoT and AI era of computing,” said Anantha Sethuraman, general manager of Strategic Programs, Semiconductor Products Group at Applied Materials. “Applied has a long history of collaboration with IIT Bombay, and the addition of Synopsys’ new Semiconductor Lab for Virtual Fab Solutions at the university will provide valuable resources to engineering students looking to become the next generation of innovators in the semiconductor industry.”
“As the global leader in EDA and AI solutions, we believe that addressing the engineering talent shortage is essential to the future of semiconductor technology innovation,” said Shankar Krishnamoorthy, general manager of the EDA Group at Synopsys. “We are excited to collaborate with IIT Bombay on nurturing the next generation of engineers to unlock the semiconductor industry's full potential. As a graduate of IIT Bombay, I have benefited greatly from the world-class faculty at this distinguished institution and expect the new Synopsys Semiconductor Lab for Virtual Fab Solutions to make significant contributions to the industry.”
Additional Resources
What Is TCAD and Why Is It Essential for the Semiconductor Industry?
Using TCAD Simulations to Design Reliable Space-Based Chips
Why DTCO Is Critical to Modern Memory Design Techniques
India’s Growth in Nanoelectronics Research
Learn about IIT Bombay Center for Semiconductor Technologies (SemiX)
India Semiconductor Mission
