India has been actively working towards promoting chip design, manufacturing, and assembly to strengthen its position in the global semiconductor industry. The government has recognized the importance of this sector and has implemented various initiatives and incentives to attract investment and boost domestic capabilities.

To encourage investment, the Indian government introduced a $10 billion semiconductor scheme that provides financial incentives of up to 50% of the project cost. This scheme has attracted global players and partnerships, signalling the interest in setting up semiconductor manufacturing plants in India. Additionally, the government has been engaging in diplomatic visits and outreach programs to attract US technology companies and semiconductor manufacturers to invest in the country.

India’s semiconductor market has been steadily growing, with a projected market value of $55 billion by 2026. However, the country currently relies heavily on imports for semiconductor manufacturing, with a focus on design, assembly, testing, and packaging. To overcome this import dependency, India aims to strengthen its indigenous manufacturing capabilities through partnerships, collaborations, and technology transfers.

The cost advantage of setting up semiconductor fabrication plants in India compared to its European and US counterparts has been a significant factor in attracting investment. With a large pool of engineering talent and a growing demand for semiconductor-based technologies in various sectors like smartphones, automotive components, and data storage, India offers a promising market for chip design, manufacturing, and assembly.

Overall, India is making significant efforts to create a favourable environment for investment in chip design, manufacturing, and assembly. With the implementation of incentives, collaborations with global players, and a focus on enhancing domestic capabilities, the country aims to position itself as a key player in the global semiconductor industry.

Strategy for Indian Engineering Schools for Curriculum Planning to Gain Advantages in the Semiconductor Industry

1. Focus on Semiconductor Design: Indian engineering schools should enhance their curriculum to provide comprehensive education and training in semiconductor design. This includes courses in integrated circuit design, system-on-chip design, analog and digital circuit design, VLSI design, and advanced semiconductor technologies.
2. Emphasize Manufacturing and Packaging: While India is currently import-driven in semiconductor manufacturing, engineering schools can introduce courses on semiconductor manufacturing processes, assembly, testing, and packaging. This will help students understand the entire lifecycle of semiconductor production and develop skills relevant to the manufacturing aspect.
3. Collaborate with Industry: Establish partnerships and collaborations with semiconductor companies, both domestic and international. This can be done through joint research projects, internships, and guest lectures by industry experts. Such collaborations provide students with exposure to real-world industry practices, foster innovation, and create opportunities for industry internships and placements.
4. Incorporate Practical Training: Provide ample opportunities for hands-on practical training in semiconductor design and manufacturing. This can include well-equipped laboratories with industry-standard software tools for circuit design, simulation, layout, and verification. Additionally, setting up fabrication facilities or semiconductor research centres within engineering schools can facilitate practical learning experiences.
5. Introduce Specializations: Offer specialized tracks or concentrations within the electronics engineering curriculum that focus specifically on semiconductor-related subjects. This can include specialized courses in advanced VLSI design, semiconductor materials and processing, semiconductor device characterization, and semiconductor reliability.
6. Industry-Relevant Projects: Encourage students to work on industry-relevant projects in collaboration with semiconductor companies. This can involve designing and prototyping semiconductor-based solutions, exploring innovative applications, or addressing industry challenges. Engaging in such projects provides students with hands-on experience and helps them develop practical skills.
7. Promote Research and Innovation: Encourage faculty and students to engage in research and innovation in the semiconductor field. Encourage the publication of research papers in reputable journals and participation in national and international conferences related to semiconductor technology. This helps create a culture of innovation and positions engineering schools as hubs for cutting-edge semiconductor research.
8. Stay Updated with Industry Trends: Stay abreast of the latest advancements, trends, and emerging technologies in the semiconductor industry. Regularly update the curriculum to reflect these changes, ensuring that students are equipped with the most relevant knowledge and skills required by the industry.
9. Industry Exposure and Internships: Facilitate industry exposure and internships for students in semiconductor companies. This provides them with firsthand experience of the industry environment, allows them to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios, and increases their chances of employability in the semiconductor sector.
10. Encourage Entrepreneurship: Foster an entrepreneurial mindset among students by promoting entrepreneurship and innovation in the semiconductor domain. Provide support for students interested in starting their own semiconductor-related ventures through incubation centres, mentorship programs, and access to funding and resources.

Training BTech in ECE Graduates

EDA (Electronic Design Automation) software training is crucial for electronics engineering graduates seeking a career in the semiconductor industry. EDA software tools enable engineers to design, simulate, verify, and analyze electronic circuits and systems. Here are some key details regarding EDA software training, available software, and its applications:

EDA Software Categories:

1. Design Entry Tools: These tools facilitate the creation of electronic circuit schematics and capture the design at a high-level abstraction. Examples include schematic entry tools and hardware description languages (HDL) editors.
2. Simulation and Verification Tools: These tools allow engineers to simulate and verify the functionality and performance of their designs before fabrication. They include circuit simulators, logic simulators, and system-level simulators.
3. Synthesis Tools: Synthesis tools transform a high-level description of the design into a gate-level representation, optimizing for factors like area, power, and timing.
4. Place and Route Tools: These tools automate the placement and routing of the individual components of a design on a physical chip, optimizing for factors such as timing, power, and manufacturability.
5. Physical Design Tools: Physical design tools focus on the detailed layout of the components, ensuring proper connectivity and adherence to design rules and constraints.
6. Test and Design-for-Testability (DFT) Tools: These tools aid in generating test patterns, performing fault simulation, and ensuring the design’s testability.
7. PCB Design Tools: PCB design tools help engineers create the layout of printed circuit boards, ensuring proper routing, signal integrity, and manufacturability.

Commonly Used EDA Software:

1. Cadence: Cadence offers a suite of EDA tools, including tools for circuit design, simulation, synthesis, and physical design. Examples include OrCAD, Allegro, and Virtuoso.
2. Synopsys: Synopsys provides a range of EDA tools, such as Design Compiler for synthesis, VCS for simulation, and IC Compiler for place and route.
3. Mentor Graphics: Mentor Graphics offers tools like PADS for PCB design, Questa for simulation, Calibre for physical verification, and ModelSim for HDL simulation.
4. Xilinx: Xilinx specializes in FPGA design tools, including Vivado for design entry, synthesis, and implementation.
5. Keysight Technologies: Keysight offers a variety of EDA tools, including ADS (Advanced Design System) for RF and microwave circuit design and simulation.

Applications of EDA Software:

1. Integrated Circuit (IC) Design: EDA software is used extensively in the design and development of integrated circuits, including digital, analog, and mixed-signal designs.
2. System-on-Chip (SoC) Design: SoC design involves integrating multiple IP (Intellectual Property) cores onto a single chip. EDA tools aid in IP integration, verification, and system-level simulation.
3. PCB Design: EDA software is utilized for creating the layout and routing of printed circuit boards, ensuring proper connectivity and adherence to design constraints.
4. FPGA Design: FPGA design tools enable engineers to program and configure FPGAs for various applications, including prototyping, digital signal processing, and hardware acceleration.
5. Verification and Validation: EDA tools support simulation and verification to ensure the correctness and functionality of designs. They aid in functional, timing, and power analysis, as well as in verifying design constraints.

Why did this happen?

Electronics engineering graduates possess a strong foundation in engineering principles, including hardware design and electronics. However, many electronics engineering programs may not provide extensive training in the specific areas required by the electronic industry, such as chip design, semiconductor manufacturing, and electronic system integration. This lack of specialized training may make graduates feel that their skills are better suited for software development.

There are several other reasons for the trend of top electronics engineering graduates joining software companies instead of pursuing careers in the electronics industry. Some of the reasons include:

1. Market Demand: The software industry has experienced significant growth and offers a wide range of job opportunities with attractive salaries. This demand for software professionals has created a competitive job market that attracts engineering graduates, including electronics engineers, to pursue careers in software development.
2. Perceived Prestige and Global Exposure: Software development is often perceived as a prestigious career option with greater global exposure. It is seen as a field that involves cutting-edge technologies, innovation, and the potential for working on international projects. This perception drives electronics engineering graduates to choose software careers to gain recognition and exposure.
3. Job Market Competition: The software industry in India has a well-established presence, with numerous multinational corporations and software development centres. This competitive job market offers a plethora of job opportunities, making it easier for electronics engineering graduates to secure software-related roles. The high demand for software skills, coupled with the availability of attractive job prospects, makes software companies an appealing option for these graduates.
4. Lack of Awareness: Electronics engineering graduates may have limited exposure to the electronic industry and its potential career opportunities. They may not be fully aware of the growth potential, technological advancements, and innovation happening in the electronic industry, which could lead to a lack of interest in and preference for software roles.
5. Industry-University Disconnect: There can be a gap between industry requirements and the skills imparted through traditional academic curricula. The dynamic nature of the electronic industry, with constant technological advancements and changing market demands, may result in a mismatch between the skills acquired by graduates and the skills demanded by the industry. This disconnect can further contribute to graduates’ inclination towards software roles, where their skills seem more directly applicable.

NEP 2020?

NEP 2020 can address the issue by promoting industry-relevant skills, encouraging industry-academia collaboration, fostering entrepreneurship and innovation, providing curriculum flexibility, emphasizing research and development, and creating awareness about the electronic industry’s potential. These measures will align the electronics engineering curriculum with industry needs, expose students to real-world practices, nurture entrepreneurial mindsets, and enhance research capabilities. By implementing these aspects of NEP 2020, the electronic industry can attract and retain top graduates, bridging the gap between academia and industry and promoting its growth in India.

Dr Suresh R K

Founder and CEO, LPP Learning Technology Solutions (P) Ltd.