Tata's 28 nanometer foundry: Import substituting semiconductor chips it can build

The India's only foundry Tata Electronics is planning to start production of 28 nanometer chips in the year of 2028 with a wafer capacity of 50K WSM. Tata electronics has already started engaging with fabless chip design and VLSI design service companies in India by supporting them with PDKs and all the foundry support for developing silicon-proven IPs. The 28nm node is a mature semiconductor manufacturing process that continues to offer significant opportunities due to its balance of cost, performance, reliability, and versatility. The 28nm node provides the lowest cost per transistor among modern processes, making it ideal for high-volume products like microcontrollers (MCUs), IoT devices, and consumer electronics (e.g., smart TVs, OTT boxes). It avoids the high costs of advanced nodes (e.g., 16nm or below) that require expensive FinFET processes, which can increase wafer manufacturing costs by 50% or more. This makes 28nm a sweet spot for applications where cutting-edge performance isn’t critical.The automotive sector relies heavily on 28nm for components like power management controllers, LCD drivers, and MCUs used in steering, braking, and engine control. The node’s reliability and maturity support long-lifecycle applications in harsh environments. Similarly, industrial control systems leverage 28nm for stable, cost-effective solutions in manufacturing and a...