TAIPEI, April 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — According to the information report from the technology-focused media DIGITIMES Asia, India’s Shakti and Vega microprocessors, developed by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), are on par with international counterparts in efficiency, in keeping with V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras.

“Regarding the benchmarking, we’re operating at what you could call “technology minus one” compared to the latest contemporary microprocessors,” Kamakoti stated, in a current dialog with Digitimes Asia. “This means we’ve achieved what those processors did two to three years ago.”

The processors characterize a big development within the nation’s tech ambitions, as the federal government continues to spice up the sector with numerous incentives and subsidies.

“The benchmarks depend on various factors, including the specific silicon and Process Development Kit (PDK) used,” Kamakoti continued. “We’re very close to, and in some cases better than, contemporary microprocessors according to benchmarks like CoreMark, which is widely used for embedded systems. I’m highly confident in our competitiveness.”

Integrating with current options

Several startups in India at the moment are leveraging Shakti for numerous purposes, from safety to SoC improvement, highlighting the structure’s flexibility and adaptableness to particular wants. These embrace Mindgrove Technologies and InCore Semiconductors. Kamakoti added that also they are attempting to combine the processor into current IoT and different options.

“Currently, we are awaiting silicon prototypes from startups,” Kamakoti stated. “There was a time when our efforts were met with skepticism, but perceptions have shifted significantly. We’ve progressed from being underestimated to engaging in discussions with various entities. This change underscores the importance of tangible results, which is why we emphasize internal development and execution. Such an approach not only builds trust but also showcases our capability to innovate without external intervention.”

One of the startups related to IIT Madras is presently working in the direction of launching their microprocessor chip. Kamakoti expects that after this chip is launched and its booting course of together with different functionalities are demonstrated, there will probably be extra traction, as it can function a industrial proof of idea.

“Many of us are navigating the tapeout process for the first time, without extensive guidance,” Kamakoti added. “Yet, reaching this stage of development is a testament to the potential within our projects. This journey from initial doubt to recognition has been crucial. We believe our message of innovation and resilience is now clearly understood, as evidenced by the increasing interest and engagement from the community.”

Evolution of the undertaking

The Shakti undertaking was initiated primarily to discover and confirm the existence of a processor improvement ecosystem inside India. The undertaking’s purpose was to validate the nation’s functionality in growing a microprocessor ecosystem, masking the whole lot from the preliminary instruction set structure (ISA) to design, backend processing, manufacturing, packaging, and help for board and processor booting processes.

“From 2013 to 2017, we engaged in numerous unfunded projects, largely managed by students,” Kamakoti stated. “During this era, we dedicated ourselves to the RISC-V structure, assured in its potential for important success—a perception that has confirmed to be well-founded. By late 2017, round October or November, we obtained our preliminary funding of shut to at least one million {dollars}. This funding was allotted to the design and improvement of three chips.

“Before presenting this technology as a viable option to startups, it was crucial to demonstrate its effectiveness from concept to silicon, acknowledging the considerable difference between theoretical designs and practical, tangible results.”

Consequently, three processors had been developed. These processors, categorized into C and E lessons, had been efficiently manufactured and examined. They ran Linux and several other software program purposes, performing exceptionally properly in all exams.

Following this success, in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge was launched.

The problem was open to college students of all instructional ranges and startups, encouraging individuals to interact with indigenous Processor IPs. The purpose was to leverage these homegrown applied sciences to create cost-effective options addressing societal wants.

This initiative attracted over 10,000 individuals, forming round 500 groups, which had been finally narrowed right down to the ultimate shortlist. The problem spurred a variety of publications throughout numerous fields akin to well being, agriculture, drones, and extra, showcasing the flexibility and potential purposes of those indigenously developed processors.

“These initiatives were undertaken with the goal of fostering a robust ecosystem within the country, particularly aimed at startups, and to produce products that could be consumed globally across various industries,” Kamakoti added. “For instance, startups could manufacture automotive chips that would be utilized by major companies, contributing to a diverse and expansive industrial landscape. This approach was designed to establish a thriving ecosystem conducive to innovation and growth.”

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SOURCE DIGITIMES ASIA