Texas Instruments (TI), the $9.5-billion US semiconductor major, is set to invest around Rs 90 crore in its Indian operations, towards making it the company's largest research and development (R&D) centre outside the US.
"In the course of the next three to five years, Texas Instruments will be investing a substantial figure in its Indian operations" Srini Rajam, managing director, Texas Instruments, said. Based in Bangalore, the centre is the only R&D facility for TI in the Asia-Pacific region.
According to Rajam, TI-India will be doubling its R&D capability. At present, the facility comes out with about 40 new products every year, and this is expected to go up to 80-100 products a year.
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The fresh investment is likely to go into setting up of labs, computing and communication equipment and the acquisition of additional space. The company has 1,20,000 sq ft of built-up space and will be adding equal space for its expansion plans. About Rs 4.4 crore is to be spent on two labs which will help in product categorisation.
TI is also planning to increase its staff-strength from 450 to about 800 within the next two to three years to match its elevation of becoming the largest R&D centre.
The progression to becoming the biggest R&D centre for TI anywhere in the world has been natural, according to Rajam. "TI-India's track record in terms of projects executed and that of our project teams is very high in the TI world," he said.
At present, the company is looking at the tremendous opportunities represented by the convergence between broadband and wireless, while the accent was more on development rather than research. The growth is expected to happen in the emerging technology areas of broadband communication, Internet audio, voice over packet (VoP) technology, digital imaging, and digital motor content.
With market analysts believing that VoP technology to be a breakthrough application launched on new-generation broadband networks, TI is deeply involved in the development of the market - with software-based solutions that will make VoP a reality for broadband subscribers who use DSL or cable TV modems based on chips manufactured by the company.