Context: Chennai-based fabless semiconductor startup Aheesa Digital Innovations, supported under the Ministry of Electronics and IT’s (MeitY) Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme, achieved first-pass silicon success for its indigenous broadband networking System-on-Chip (SoC) named ‘VIHAAN’.
About VIHAAN: India’s Indigenous Broadband Networking Chip Achieves First-Pass Silicon Success
What It Is?
- VIHAAN is India’s first domestically designed broadband networking System-on-Chip (SoC). Built on open-standard RISC-V architecture and powered by the indigenous VEGA processor developed by C-DAC, it is purpose-built to deliver high-throughput, secure, and sovereign semiconductor solutions for optical fiber and broadband customer premises equipment (CPE).
Designing Startup: Aheesa Digital Innovations (Chennai, Tamil Nadu).
Government & Financial Backing: Supported under the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme (India Semiconductor Mission / MeitY).
Aim: To deliver high-performance, domestically designed telecom silicon for Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) deployments and broadband routers across Indian households and businesses, reducing reliance on imported foreign networking chips.
How VIHAAN Works?
- Fiber Data Processing: Receives internet data through GPON/EPON fiber networks and distributes it through Gigabit Ethernet connections.
- Fast Packet Processing: Its 64-bit VEGA core handles routing, traffic inspection, Quality of Service (QoS), and firewall functions at high speed.
- Built-in Security: Uses a hardware root of trust, secure boot, and cryptographic engines to protect firmware and network traffic.
- Integrated Software: Runs Aheesa Router OS (AROS), based on OpenWrt, enabling integration with routers, modems, and access points.
Key Features of VIHAAN:
- First-Pass Silicon Success: The chip worked successfully on its first fabrication attempt, reducing redesign time and costs.
- Indigenous VEGA RISC-V Core: Uses C-DAC’s 64-bit VEGA processor, reducing dependence on proprietary foreign architectures.
- Optimised for Fiber Broadband: Integrates GPON/EPON, computing and memory functions on a single chip for FTTH equipment.
- Integrated Hardware Security: Provides secure boot, encryption, and hardware-level protection against network threats.
- Ready for Domestic Manufacturing: Its reference platform and software tools help Indian manufacturers rapidly develop Wi-Fi routers and Optical Network Terminals (ONTs).
Significance:
- Indigenous core silicon reduces dependence on foreign hardware, supply-chain risks, and potential security vulnerabilities.
- Strengthens India’s chip-design ecosystem and demonstrates the potential of the DLI Scheme and Semicon India Programme to create production-ready indigenous chips.
