Samsung Semiconductor India Research (SSIR) recently partnered with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to promote semiconductor research and development in on-chip Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Protection in India. CVP & MD of Samsung Semiconductor India Research, Bengaluru, Balajee Sowrirajan, exchanged a research agreement with the Director of the Indian Institute of Science, Govindan Rangarajan, on February 8 in the presence of delegates from both organizations.
This partnership looks to boost the production of cutting-edge ESD device solutions to protect ultra-high-speed serial interfaces in products such as advanced Integrated Circuits (ICs) and system-on-chip (SoC). Mayank Shrivastava’s team from the Department of Electronic Systems Engineering (DESE), IISc, will lead the research and its solutions will be integrated into Samsung’s advanced process nodes.
Integrated circuits and system-on-chip (a type of IC) are integral components for any electronic system, including computers, smartphones and consumer devices, to function. However, ICs and SoCs are extremely vulnerable and sensitive to ESD failures. The more advanced ICs are, the more they are prone to failure, especially the ones made with advanced nanoscale CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) technologies. There are very few players in the market who have rare expertise in interface concepts and work with designing ESD protection devices. IISc is one of those institutes in the world that lead in ESD device research.
Director of IISc, Rangarajan, considers the collaboration a commitment towards “industry-academia engagements” that can bring in a significant change in the future. IISc is India’s premier institute for advanced scientific and technological research and studies.
Sowrirajan, CVP & MD, SSIR, calls the partnership a “boost to semiconductor innovation.” He also believes in capacity building by training and opening up opportunities for students and young researchers.
Samsung Semiconductor India Research is part of Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and provides component solutions in System LSI (large-scale integration), memory and foundry. With their partnership with IISc, SSIR is poised to advance their position in the semiconductor industry.
