Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IISIndustry in Europe is facing a great challenge. In recent decades, the continent’s industrial manufacturing of highly integrated semiconductor chips has fallen behind; at present, it is extremely dependent on production facilities in Asia. However, issues such as data security, artificial intelligence and the fight against crime have increasingly become dependent on the availability of semiconductors. That’s why it’s time to act. In the European Chips Act, the EU has presented ambitious plans to strengthen the continent’s technological sovereignty and set the course for the future. The Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, with its know-how in research and the development and design of integrated circuits, is taking a leadership role in this pan-European project.
In our chip design series, we highlight the importance of a European chip design ecosystem. We present the goals and responsibilities of the Bavarian Chip Design Center as well as what Fraunhofer IIS has to offer companies and SMEs, and we explain how we are promoting the training and development of specialist chip designers. The series begins with a statement from Prof. Albert Heuberger, Director of Fraunhofer IIS.
Leveraging strengths in chip design
Technological sovereignty in the semiconductor and chip sector is of utmost importance for the whole of Europe. As one of Europe's largest research institutes for the design of innovative digital and mixed-signal integrated circuits, Fraunhofer IIS plays an important role.
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Series: Chip design in Europe
28. September 2022
Professor Albert Heuberger: Chip design is the key to Europe’s technological sovereignty
Fraunhofer IIS / 28.9.2022
“Chip design is central to Europe’s innovative power. Semiconductors a key industry and the basis for digitalization. In the process of getting from the idea to the finished chip, it is chip design that turns requirements into functionality and thus shapes product innovations. Fraunhofer IIS plays a major role in this. Our successful research enables companies to use integrated circuits. That way, we strengthen industries such as automotive, medical engineering and IT as well as small, medium-sized and large suppliers and service providers that are heavily dependent on microelectronic components.
Bavarian Chip Design Center – Boosting the region’s innovative strength and economy
Fraunhofer IIS / 19.9.2022
Investing in manufacturing options will not be enough to safeguard Europe’s leading position in producing future generations of advanced semiconductor technologies. It is essential to translate the results of European research and development into mature technological innovations that can be manufactured in Europe. To this end, the state of Bavaria is funding a preliminary project to pave the way for the Bavarian Chip Design Center BCDC. On September 19, 2022, Bavaria’s Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger presented the Fraunhofer Institutes AISEC, EMFT and IIS with a funding notification in the amount of just under 1 million euros earmarked for establishing the Center.
We interviewed Dr. Thorsten Edelhäußer, Head of Research Planning at Fraunhofer IIS, about setting up the BCDC and what its role will be.