AIDRFIC awards will propel AI-driven RFIC design innovation, enhance U.S. global competitiveness in semiconductor R&D
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 18, 2024 – Natcast, the purpose-built, non-profit entity designated by the Department of Commerce to operate the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) established by the CHIPS and Science Act of the U.S. government, today announced three anticipated awardees and approximately $30 million in funding through the Artificial Intelligence Driven RF Integrated Circuit Design Enablement (AIDRFIC) program, the first NSTC R&D Jump Start project. The anticipated awards will revolutionize RFIC design by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies, addressing one of the U.S. semiconductor industry’s most pressing design productivity challenges and strengthening U.S. leadership in broadband, 5G, and next-generation radio-frequency hardware.
Natcast has selected three anticipated proposal teams for award. These teams are led by Keysight Technologies, Princeton University, and the University of Texas at Austin, respectively, and comprise top experts from academia and industry. Projected awards will range from $7.5 million to $10 million each, with projects expected to commence in 2025 and last 30 months. The success of these projects will derisk further investment in AI applications for RFIC design and facilitate the development of new design methods and tools for RFICs that greatly increase the productivity in exploring non-intuitive design to meet anticipated challenges posed by future wireless application, ultimately paving the way for the development of commercial tools.
“By leveraging AI and ML technologies, U.S. companies and research institutes are poised to transform the RFIC design landscape, enabling greatly reduced design cycles and achieving higher RFIC performance,” said Dr. Marcus Pan, AIDRFIC program manager at Natcast. “This investment underscores Natcast’s commitment to driving innovation and ensuring that the U.S. semiconductor sector remains at the forefront of technological advancements in broadband, 5G, and next-gen RF hardware.”
Anticipated AIDRFIC Awardees
Keysight Technologies
Keysight Technologies’ proposed project, “AI for Accelerating RFIC Design Efficiency, Innovation, and Optimization for U.S. Competitiveness,” seeks to automate complex design tasks using AI-driven tools. The Keysight team, drawing on expertise from major commercial and defense companies, universities, and innovative startups, aims to make the AI-enhanced workflow accessible to designers of all experience levels. By driving automation, optimization, and generation of advanced and unique RFIC designs, the project will improve the productivity and competitiveness of participating members in the U.S. semiconductor industry and, itself, become a key framework for innovation.
Princeton University
Princeton University’s proposed project, “IMAGINE: Inverse Methods and Generative AI for Algorithmic and Non-intuitive Design Explorations in RFICs,” focuses on rapid, automated design and optimization from specifications to layout. The project aims to reduce design time and cost while discovering novel design spaces that enhance RFIC performance. The team, comprising top researchers from academia and industry, employs deep learning and generative AI to create predictive models and designs for complex RFICs.
University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin)
UT Austin’s proposed project, “GENIE-RFIC: Generative ENgine for Intelligent and Expedited RFIC Design,” targets both Silicon (Si) Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) RFICs and Gallium Nitride (GaN) Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMICs). The AI-driven tools will perform rapid “inverse” designs based on target specifications, optimizing circuit topologies and parameters. The proposal features a strong team from academia and industry, a clear commercialization plan with Electronic Design Automation (EDA)/foundry/RFIC partnerships, and strategies for risk mitigation. The project aims to enhance RFIC design productivity and produce optimized, non-intuitive solutions.
“By leveraging AI-driven approaches to RFIC design, the proposed projects will not only optimize design performance but also enable engineers of varying experience levels to explore non-intuitive and innovative solutions that push the boundaries of current RFIC technology,” said Robert Chau, senior vice president of research at Natcast. “The AIDRFIC program and supported projects will help accelerate development cycles, foster groundbreaking designs, and enhance U.S. competitiveness in next-generation telecommunications and broader RF technologies.”
In addition to advancing RFIC design capabilities, the anticipated awards will contribute to workforce development by incorporating program learnings into academic curricula and training initiatives. This will ensure that new engineers are equipped with cutting-edge skills and knowledge, fostering a robust ecosystem of talent to support the industry’s future needs.
“By supporting these transformative projects, Natcast is laying the foundation for a new era of RFIC design, driven by AI and ML technologies,” said Salman Nasir, director of the Program Management Office at Natcast. “These efforts will not only enhance the productivity and innovation capacity of the U.S. semiconductor industry but also ensure a sustainable and skilled workforce for years to come.”
For more information on the NSTC R&D Jump Start projects and future funding opportunities, please visit natcast.org/research-and-development. To learn more about the benefits of NSTC membership and to join, visit natcast.org/nstcmembership.