Bayerisches Chip-Design-Center (BCDC)

The Bavarian Chip Design Center (BCDC) has set itself the goal of further expanding chip design capabilities in Bavaria. We want to give companies, especially start-ups and SMEs, easier access to chip design and the necessary supply chains.

The Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy is funding the accompanying research project of the Bavarian Chip Design Center. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research is also supporting the project on a pro rata basis. This is part of the development of the Microelectronics Academy in the FMD project - module "Quantum and neuromorphic computing". The BCDC is operated by the three Fraunhofer Institutes AISEC, EMFT and IIS. Together with five Bavarian colleges and universities (TUM, FAU, HM, THN, OTH), the BCDC is developing into a leading competence center for chip design in Bavaria and is continuously expanding its research expertise.

Bavarian Chip Design Center - More innovation through chip design!

The BCDC is divided into three areas:
IC - Design Talents: Measures for a sustainable increase in skilled workers in chip design
IC - Supply Chain: Access to the production of prototypes and small series
IC - Design Ecosystem: Specific solutions and IP portfolios for innovative technologies, in particular for sensor and actuator systems and AI, RISC-V and chiplet-based systems.

The IC - Design Talents program line focuses on expanding chip design skills in Bavaria to strengthen competitiveness. It aims to counteract the shortage of skilled workers by increasing the number of qualified specialists in chip design through rapid, certified further training for graduates and career starters. The target group of the program line includes graduates and students of electrical engineering and related courses as well as career changers from other disciplines. This takes place in trainee programs for accelerated practical training and through further training courses. Summer schools are also offered to get students interested in chip design.

IC - Supply Chain aims to close the gap between design and the finished chip by facilitating access to modern semiconductor technologies. The intention is to enable the production of new and innovative design solutions in various semiconductor technologies for industrial and academic customers and to support key Bavarian industries in the realization of their chip production. The offer is aimed in particular at start-ups, SMEs, design houses, universities and research institutions. In addition to production, the opportunity to test chips is also offered.

The main goal of the IC - Design Ecosystem is to enable accessible and efficient chip development from feasibility to failure analysis by shortening development time and reducing development costs. This is achieved through the development of specifications, the design of ASICs and systems, the development of IP blocks and the reuse of already developed components.

The IC - Design Ecosystem of the Bavarian Chip Design Center is divided into three program lines, Sensor and Actuator Systems and AI, RISC-V and Chiplet Systems, which are specifically geared towards the needs of customers, especially SMEs and start-ups. We are currently working on these focus topics:

• Versatile Edge-AI Processor
• RF Sensor Systems
• Secure System-on-Chip Solutions
• Application Specific Multi Chip Modules
• Heterointegrated sensor systems
• Ultrasonic Sensors
• Ultra Low Power WakeUp Receiver