India’s Shakti and Vega microprocessors, born out of the collaborative efforts of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), are asserting themselves as formidable contenders on the global stage, matching strides with their international counterparts in terms of performance. 

V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, articulates this parity, by stating, “Regarding the benchmarking, we’re operating at what you could call ‘current generation minus one’ compared to the latest contemporary microprocessors. This means we’ve achieved what other advanced processors did two to three years ago.”

Microprocessor development is a giant technological leap

Thanks to the government’s supportive policies, India’s technological sector has made significant progress by introducing advanced processors. Kamakoti, an expert in the field, explains that the performance benchmarks for these processors depend on various factors such as the specific silicon and Process Development Kit (PDK) used. He claims that the new processors are comparable to, and in some cases even better than, contemporary microprocessors as per widely-used benchmarks like CoreMark, which is used for embedded systems. Kamakoti is highly confident in their competitiveness.

Hardware startups are using Indian processors big-time

The Shakti architecture’s adaptability and versatility have come to the fore, with several Indian startups using it for diverse applications, including security and System-on-Chip (SoC) development. Notable among these are Mindgrove Technologies and InCore Semiconductors. Kamakoti emphasizes its ongoing efforts to integrate the processor seamlessly into existing IoT and other solutions.

“There was a time when our efforts were met with skepticism, but perceptions have shifted significantly. We have progressed from being underestimated to engaging in discussions with various entities. This change underscores the importance of tangible results, which is why we emphasize internal development and execution. This approach builds trust and showcases our ability to innovate without external intervention.”

A journey from nothing to something achieved through sheer hard work, passion, and perseverance

The journey from skepticism to recognition has been crucial for one of the startups associated with IIT Madras. They are about to launch a microprocessor chip, and once its booting process and other functionalities are demonstrated, it will serve as a persuasive commercial proof of concept. This is expected to generate more interest and traction.

“Many of us are navigating the tapeout process for the first time, without extensive guidance,” Kamakoti reflects. “Yet, reaching this stage of development is a testament to the potential within our projects. This journey from initial doubt to recognition has been crucial. We believe our message of innovation and resilience is now clearly understood, as evidenced by the increasing interest and engagement from the community.”

Evolution of the Shakti and Vega Microprocessors project

The Shakti project aimed to explore and confirm the existence of an independent processor development ecosystem in India. The project aimed to showcase the country’s ability to build a complete microprocessor ecosystem, starting with the Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) and extending to complex design, backend processing, manufacturing, packaging, and support for board and processor booting processes.

“From 2013 to 2017, we embarked on numerous unfunded projects, predominantly led by students,” remarked Kamakoti. “During this period, we were committed to the RISC-V architecture development, foreseeing its potential for substantial success—a foresight that has since been vindicated. By late 2017, around October or November, we secured our initial funding of close to one million dollars, earmarked for the design and development of three chips.”

Three types of processors were developed to prove the tech mantle

Before presenting the groundbreaking technology as a viable option to startups, it was necessary to prove its credibility in solving real-world problems. For that, three processors were designed and developed.  They were segmented into C and E classes, these processors underwent successful manufacturing and rigorous testing. When operated seamlessly with Linux and other software applications, the processors exhibited exceptional performance across all benchmarks.

The Swadeshi Microprocessor challenge

Buoyed by this triumph, in partnership with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge was inaugurated. This innovative challenge invited students from all educational tiers and startups to engage with indigenous Processor IPs, urging participants to harness these domestically cultivated technologies to devise cost-effective solutions catering to societal needs. The initiative garnered participation from over 10,000 individuals, forming approximately 500 teams, eventually culminating in a select final shortlist. The challenge catalyzed many publications spanning diverse sectors such as health, agriculture, drones, and beyond, by spotlighting these homegrown processors’ versatility and wide-ranging applications.

“These endeavors were undertaken with the overarching aim of nurturing a resilient ecosystem within the nation, with a specific focus on startups, and nurturing products with global appeal across various sectors,” Kamakoti emphasized. “For instance, startups could venture into manufacturing automotive chips utilized by major corporations, thus fostering a dynamic and expansive industrial landscape. This strategic approach was meticulously crafted to foster a flourishing ecosystem conducive to innovation and sustainable growth.”

Conclusion

India’s efforts to build a robust processor chip design ecosystem got a major boost with the launch of the Shakti and Vega microprocessors. As the ecosystem matures, it will help bolster the local electronic design and manufacturing industry. The startups that created these chips can collaborate with global marketing agencies to promote and market them worldwide. They got to aggressively compete with established microprocessor makers such as Intel, Qualcomm, etc. Once successful, India will be recognized as the birthplace of highly successful microprocessors.

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