Bavarian Chip-Design-Center (BCDC)

The current semiconductor and chip crisis is having a serious impact on industrial companies worldwide. Due to their high dependence on Asian and American suppliers and value chains, the economies of Bavaria, Germany and Europe are facing major challenges. The Bavarian economy in particular (automotive, medical technology, IT) is heavily dependent on microelectronic components.

Chip design plays a central role in the process from the idea to the finished chip, as it translates the requirements into functionalities, thereby driving final product innovation.

The Bavarian Chip-Design-Center (BCDC) has set itself the goal of further expanding chip design capabilities in Bavaria and providing companies, especially start-ups and SMEs, with easier access to chip design and the necessary supply chains.

Funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, the BCDC can further expand its research expertise. Collaborating with five Bavarian colleges and universities, it aims to become a leading competence center for chip design in Bavaria.

Three Fraunhofer Institutes are collaborating towards this goal: 

• Fraunhofer Institute for Applied and Integrated Security
• Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Microsystems and Solid State Technologies EMFT
• Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS

The BCDC is organized into three pillars:

The IC - DESIGN ECOSYSTEM supports the development of specific solutions in the areas of sensor & actuator systems and AI, digital signal processing, secure system-on-chip and chiplets with thematic platforms. It develops IP portfolios for innovative technologies and researches solutions to minimize obsolescence and chip shortage risks.

The IC - DESIGN TALENTS pillar addresses the shortage of skilled workers in chip design through on-the-job training for talented individuals, certified training courses and sustainable measures to attract young talent.

IC - SUPPLY CHAIN supports companies in accessing the production of their own integrated circuits as prototypes and small series.

In addition to expanding research capacities, the BCDC is establishing a network with industry, driving forward strategic initiatives at the national and EU levels.