US-based semiconductor design giant Synopsys is set to support Tata Electronics in various aspects of its pioneering semiconductor fab facility in Gujarat, India, as well as its assembly and testing unit in Assam. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for India’s electronics manufacturing sector.
Details of the Collaboration
Synopsys CEO Sassine Ghazi revealed the partnership details, highlighting that Synopsys will assist Tata Electronics in custom semiconductor product design, factory automation, data analytics, computer-aided design, and the development of intellectual property for chip fabrication. Ghazi met with Tata Electronics CEO Randhir Thakur and Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran in Mumbai to discuss the collaboration.
Additionally, Ghazi held discussions with Ola Cabs chief Bhavish Aggarwal in Bengaluru regarding potential synergies.
Role and Responsibilities of Synopsys
Ghazi emphasized that Synopsys will aid in tuning the technology to meet Tata Electronics’ expectations for yield, power, and performance. Synopsys’ collaboration with Tata Electronics is expected to mirror its partnerships with other industry leaders like Rapidus, TSMC, Intel, Samsung, and GlobalFoundries.
Moreover, Synopsys will provide intellectual property and design tools to Ola’s AI startup, Krutrim, to develop an AI chip and a digital twin of Ola’s electronics systems.
Importance of IP and Enablement
Ghazi stressed the critical role of Synopsys in providing the necessary IP and enablement for semiconductor manufacturing. “We’re the leader in providing the IP and the enablement for the semiconductor to on-ramp to the fab,” he stated.
Tata Electronics’ Ambitious Plans
Tata Electronics plans to establish India’s first semiconductor fab in Dholera, Gujarat, with an investment of $11 billion. Additionally, a greenfield facility in Jagiroad, Assam, will see an investment of ₹27,000 crore for the assembly and testing of semiconductor chips. These facilities aim to produce chips for various applications, including automotive, mobile devices, and AI.
Building a Semiconductor Ecosystem
As the construction of these facilities advances, it is essential to cultivate partnerships across the semiconductor ecosystem, encompassing process and design technology, and equipment suppliers. Rituparna Mandal, VP of customer success at Synopsys India, emphasized the role of Synopsys as an enabler in this technology transfer process.
Ola and Krutrim Partnership
Regarding the collaboration with Ola, Ghazi mentioned that Synopsys would be the go-to partner for designing advanced chips, particularly those intended for data centers that Ola plans to build. Ola’s chief, Bhavish Aggarwal, has already started forming a team to architect and design a next-generation chip, with Synopsys providing a range of IP, tools, and expertise to expedite the project.
Upcoming Announcements
In a recent post on the microblogging site X, Aggarwal hinted at more details about the development of India’s first AI chip, Krutrim, to be announced on August 15. Ghazi confirmed an active engagement with Ola, indicating that more announcements are forthcoming.
In summary, Synopsys’ collaboration with Tata Electronics and Ola signifies a major boost for India’s semiconductor and AI industries, paving the way for advanced technology development and innovation in the region.
