VLSI design conference in Bangalore

In an effort to promote very large scale integration (VLSI "� process of creating integrated circuits by combining multiple transistor-based circuits into a single chip) and to create awareness about its employment potential, the 20th international conference on VLSI design will be held in Bangalore between January 6 and 7.

Organised by the VLSI Society of India, the event is being held in Bangalore after a gap of five years.

According to Philips Electronics India Ltd senior business development manager PVG Menon, the event will consist of regular and special sessions, embedded tutorials, panel discussions, design contests and industrial exhibits.

"The event has a particular emphasis on the challenges and opportunities in nano electronics. The new paradigms in design and system implementation will be presented and discussed," he added.

Around 1,100 delegates, including 200 from various countries, are expected to take part in the event. Menon said the VLSI sector is facing human resources shortage.

"We are lobbying for modifications in engineering education. Many colleges are not even aware of the employment potential in VLSI. These problems will be discussed at the meet," he stated.

The Indian semiconductor industry accounted for 1.2 per cent of the global market in 2005, according to the India Semiconductor Association (ISA)-Frost & Sullivan study report. It is expected to touch 6.50 per cent in 2015 with a compounded annual growth rate of 30 per cent.

"The report reveals that TVs, energy meters, PCs, automotive, cellphones and wireless infrastructure equipment will be the key drivers of the growth. We have to create a vast talent pool to work on these verticals. The VLSI Society of India and ISA are actively engaging the universities to create the human resources requirement," Menon said.