India Chip program launched in Pune

The Department of Electronic Science (DOES), University of Pune and Integrated Circuit and Information Technology (ICIT) Pvt Ltd organized DVDA - 2001, a 'National Seminar on DSP VLSI Design and Applications'.

Dr MJ Zarabi, CMD, SCL, Chandigarh inaugurated the two-day National Seminar on DVDA- 2001. Dr Zarabi gave an overview of semiconductor technology in India and announced the India Chip Program.

Dr Vijay Bhatkar of ETH, Pune, who emphasized on hardware design entrepreneurship, delivered the keynote address. The DSP-VLSI design represents a huge market potential worldwide, which is driving innovation. Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and Very Large Integration Circuits (VLSI) Design are gearing up in the country. Large numbers of industries are dealing in these areas and lots of opportunities exist and trained manpower is needed.

The seminar was addressed by eminent speakers representing academic institutions and corporate houses from all over India covering topics like DSP Algorithms, DSP Architectures, VLSI design strategies, EDA tools, DSP Applications, Technology trends, Cost effectiveness and limitations, DSP in instrumentation and Industrial control, Machine Vision.

The speakers present delivered talks focussing on the current status, design trends, contemporary R&D activities and futuristic growth directions. They stressed on the fact that the integrated circuit (chip) design industry is pegged to grow into a multi-million dollar market in India. Chips and processors are now used in almost everything -from aerospace to computers, complex electronic gadgets to everyday applications, mobile phones, dishwashers and so on.

It is the VLSI design engineer's efforts that make these works, conceive and designs miniscule chip and later send them for manufacturing. The reason why this sector is outsourcing its requirements to Indian companies is the fact that though integrated circuit or IC falls into the hardware category, the IC design work is a 'soft' job and can be exported even over the Net. Even if the market dips in this cycle, the demand for chip design engineers holds steady.

Dr Shashi Gangal, HoD (Electronic Science) said there is an ever growing need for companies to hire VLSI design professionals who develop standard Intellectual Property cores and customized solutions for customers.

The VLSI territory is vast and unexplored and the rewards are good for those who get specialized training in VLSI design. Moreover, the industry analysts have estimated that semiconductors will become a $ 400 billion industry in the year 2002.

There is going to be unlimited need for professionals trained in VLSI design with companies like IBM, Intel, TI, Motorola, Wipro etc. TI is already setting up their design centers in India. Integrated Circuit and Information Technology (ICIT) Pvt. Ltd. ICIT has joined hands with DOES to ensure best possible training in this field through a certificate course.

The ASIC design industry has grown many fold during the last decade and the design process these days requires a thorough knowledge of such design tools and the demand for promising young designers equipped with in-depth knowledge of VLSI design tools is ever-increasing.

(CNS)