'India, UK can work on chip IP design'

UK and Indian semiconductor industries share potential synergies in the areas of design, device and applications, according to a study by the India Semiconductor Association, a trade body representing the Indian semiconductor industry, the UK Trade & Investment, and Science & Innovation Network UK.

"Indian and UK companies can collaborate to boost India's IP creation and build next-generation products for the world," the study notes. Titled 'Scope for collaboration between India and UK in semiconductor driven industry 2008', the study notes that while Indian companies specialise in VLSI, hardware and board-level design, besides embedded systems in wireless communication, computing and networking, the UK's strength lies in IP creation and complete product development.

ISA president Poornima Shenoy said, "ISA is focused on business support to its members and the Indian semicon community. We have initiated the Country Series, focusing on specific geographies of relevance to the industry.

The report with UKTI is the first in the series. We are excited about the synergy and potential areas of collaboration both in design companies and for university labs".

A joint ISA-Frost & Sullivan study carried out recently pegs the total market revenue (TM) for semiconductors at $4.38 billion and total available market (TAM) at $2.37 billion. For 2009, TM will be about $5.49 billion and TAM at around $3.18 billion, according to the study.

Richard Hyde - Head, British Office said, "This report lays the foundation for the Semi Conclave conference scheduled in September 2008. It will bring together industry and academia along with a visiting delegation from the UK. This will further strengthen our trade and research links."

UKTI, ISA and SIN will jointly organise Semi Conclave in September this year to promote trade and research links between the UK and India. A delegation comprising UK companies and universities will visit semiconductor hubs in Bangalore, Hyderabad and New Delhi in September, to coincide with the conclave.