IIIT Hyderabad develops indigenous chips for healthcare, mobility
HYDERABAD: At a time when India is bolstering its semiconductor capabilities, researchers at the International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIIT-H) are developing indigenous electronics systems that bridge the gap between laboratory research and real-world deployment. Their work spans custom chip design, millimetre-wave circuits, privacy-preserving sensing and intelligent healthcare systems.
Under the Integrated Circuits Inspired by Wireless and Biomedical Systems (IC-WiBES) group led by Prof Abhishek Srivastava, the institute follows a “silicon-to-system” approach that integrates chip design, signal processing and system development. The group designs end-to-end technologies that respond to real-world challenges rather than academic benchmarks.
“Instead of treating integrated circuits, signal processing and applications as separate layers, we work across all three,” said Prof Srivastava. “This allows us to design custom chips and build complete systems simultaneously.”
Custom chips for strategic applications
While off-the-shelf electronics are suitable for many uses, the team develops application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) for sectors like healthcare, space, and critical infrastructure. These chips are energy-efficient and adaptable, evolving through real world feedback loops.
Millimetre-wave radar for non-contact healthcare
A major research focus is millimetre-wave radar, which can detect motion and even minute vibrations such as breathing or heartbeat. The technology enables non-contact health monitoring without cameras or wearables a breakthrough for infection-prone wards, elderly care, and post-operative monitoring. The lab has begun clinical trials in hospitals to evaluate performance.
Privacy-first sensing for road safety
The same radar systems are being applied to traffic monitoring. In poor visibility conditions, radar-based systems can detect vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists without compromising privacy. Such systems could enhance urban governance and accident analysis under smart city projects.
From systems to chips: A feedback loop
Real-world testing informs new chip designs addressing signal interference and noise. Innovations emerging from this loop include programmable radar generators, low-noise oscillators and high-linearity receivers.
Building India’s electronics infrastructure
IIIT-H houses a high-frequency measurement setup capable of testing circuits up to 44 GHz facilities available at only a few institutions in India. The lab has achieved its first fully in-house chip tape-out and collaborates internationally on semiconductor design.
Training full-stack engineers
The group also focuses on capacity building. “Our students learn how circuit-level constraints shape system intelligence a rare but crucial skill,” Prof Srivastava said. Graduates are equipped for roles in national semiconductor missions, startups and academia.
With multiple research grants, patents underway and early technology transfers, IC-WiBES reflects India’s shift toward application-driven, indigenous deep-tech innovation. “Progress in deep-tech research isn’t linear,” Srivastava added. “We design custom chips where they matter most.”
