IBM to increase research in semiconductors space

Global technology giant IBM, which is rapidly expanding in India, plans to increase research at its Semiconductor Research & Development centre in Bangalore in the coming years.

The centre, which is part of IBM's India Software Lab, has filed plenty of patents over the years. "We are contributing to all aspects of the semiconductor research. The number of patents filed by the centre is on the rise. We indeed expect this number to go up further next year," Pamela Kumar, Director "" India Systems and Technology Labs, IBM, told Business Standard.

As of September, the India Software Lab (ISL) had filed close to 100 patents, including semiconductor research.

She pointed out that the IBM has been active in the semiconductor space in the last 12 years.

"We began as a very small team. However, now, we are carrying out high end research work. There is a lot of focus on this centre, which has been growing," she added.

The IBM Semiconductor Research & Development centre recently expanded its operations by opening a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide semiconductor) development and enablement group at the ISL, Bangalore.

The centre is carrying out compact model development in bulk, Silicon on Insulator (SOI) technology and SiGe technology, employed for a variety of consumer and industrial electronics.

The centre also enables IBM Server and High-Speed-Serial Group and other leading customers to design in IBM technology.

Other activities include automated test chip layout for model build and test circuits and vehicles for model verification. The centre also works on integrating model into IBM design kits.

IBM carries out semiconductor research at multiple locations across the world. "In the technology space, the semiconductor centre has laid emphasis on innovation. We find that India's share in innovation is high. The research being carried out here is highly valued," Kumar said.

The company also views India as a domestic market for engineering services. It focuses on aerospace, automotive, communications and consumer electronics.

"We are committed to bringing IBM's semiconductor and design leadership to India and leveraging the country as hub for global innovation," she added.