Ceit promotes the design of semiconductors to strengthen Basque industry.

The technology centre is taking part in the ‘SoC4CRIS’ project, the focus of which is to strengthen autonomy in terms of the design and manufacture of semiconductors in the Basque Country.

The aim of the project is to design the first "chip" using European CPU RISC-V technology for application in key sectors of the Basque economy.

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed a structural fragility in the semiconductor supply chain, affecting strategic sectors in the Basque Country such as transport, energy, the car industry and machine tools. The difficulties in supplying these essential components compromised the production and development of capital goods and end products, highlighting the need to ensure local capacity in terms of the design and manufacture of these devices.

To tackle these problems, the SoC4CRIS project is working on the design of the first chip to be developed in the Basque Country using European RISC-V technology – a type of architecture that promotes technological autonomy. This semiconductor, known as the System-on-Chip (SoC), has been devised for critical applications in key sectors of the Basque economy. Apart from strengthening response capacity in view of possible future crises, the project seeks to create a competitive technological ecosystem by laying the foundations for the development of new integrated circuits that meet local industrial needs.

State-of-the-art technology to ensure greater autonomy

Systems-on-Chip (SoCs) constitute a key innovation in the field of semiconductors. These devices combine elements such as processors, memory, communication peripherals and software in a single component, providing a compact, efficient solution for complex applications.

A complete SocC based on RISC-V architecture has been designed within the framework of SoC4CRIS for the first time in the Basque Country. This includes specialist models for sensorics and data pre-processing, which makes it a device that is highly adaptable to demands by sectors such as aerospace, energy and health.

Ceit’s key role in the design of semiconductors

Ceit plays an essential role in the success of SoC4CRIS by providing key technical solutions for development of the project. The centre has designed a complete RISC-V subsystem, accompanied by an ecosystem that ensures its proper functioning. Additionally, it has developed a state-of-the-art peripheral for communication with external sensors, which has been integrated into the SoC spearheaded by the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). By way of a complement to this, Ceit has created an emulation system based on Zynqberry technology, focusing on SoC functionalities and the technological contributions made by the different partners.

A project that will have an impact on the industrial future of the Basque Country

Funded by the Elkartek attached to SPRI, the consortium brings together ekniker, Ikerlan, IKOR and the GAIA Cluster, and is coordinated by the UPV/EHU. The project not only seeks solutions to immediate challenges related to the dependency on imported semiconductors, but rather, places the Basque Country at the forefront of European microelectronic innovation.