India's Semiconductor Sector Gains Momentum As Tata Electronics Begins Exporting Pilot-Line Packaged Chips To US, Europe And Japan

Tata Electronics Ltd has reportedly begun exporting limited quantities of semiconductor chips packaged at a pilot line at its Bengaluru-based research and development centre.

These chips are being sent to the company's partners in Japan, the US, and Europe as part of a preliminary operation while the company prepares to open a new chip packaging plant in Morigaon, Assam, and a $10 billion semiconductor foundry in Dholera, Gujarat.

“Tata Electronics has packaged chips there which they are sending to customers right now outside the country. They have multiple partners and are expanding their customer base. Some of these (products) are still in the pilot stage,” a person familiar with the matter was quoted as saying in an Economic Times report.

The company is also in near final stages for a successful tape-out - the completion of the design of a chip with the next stage being manufacturing - of semiconductor chips in 28, 40, 55, 65 nm (nanometre), and some other higher nodes, according to a second person cited in the ET report.

“There are multiple rounds before a successful tape-out. So, some of these products will be in advanced stages of R&D and they will be sent to select customers to obtain feedback for testing and improvement. Commercial production is slated for 2027,” the person said.

The chips that have been packaged and are currently being exported by Tata Electronics are general-purpose chips not targeted at any specific applications, thus they can be adapted for a broad range of products, he said.

“When you package the chips, it really does not matter what the chips are used for. It is just a matter of when you package them and prepare them to be used. Tata Electronics has products in multiple areas,” he added.

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