SMD Semi opens R&D hub at CSA Catapult
A leading Malaysian semiconductor company has opened a new R&D Innovation Hub in Wales and signalled its intent to work with UK companies on designing next-generation semiconductor chips.
SMD Semiconductor, a wholly owned entity of the Sarawak Government, will be located at the Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) Catapult’s Innovation Centre in Newport, Wales.
SMD Semiconductor, established in September 2022, focuses on R&D, with an emphasis on chip design and the development of integrated circuits. It is now seeking to expand its capabilities into compound semiconductors and take advantage of the expertise of both CSA Catapult and UK industry.
CSA Catapult and SMD Semiconductor signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that laid the initial foundation for collaboration in the design, prototyping and manufacturing of next-generation chips in 2024.
The hub was officially opened by the Premier of Sarawak at a ceremony attended by delegates from the Sarawak, UK and Welsh governments, as well as industry partners.
During the ceremony, SMD Semiconductor and CSA Catapult signed and exchanged a formal agreement to collaborate on developing new compound semiconductor chips for AI and edge devices.
Edge devices, such as sensors and cameras, perform data processing at the location of the device instead of sending it to the cloud. This makes them quicker, more energy efficient, more secure, and will enable real-time data processing, which is critical for applications in defence, healthcare, surveillance and robotics.
Raj Gawera, head of CSA Catapult said: “Advances in AI computing are already rapidly spreading from data centres to Edge devices. However, to unlock the full potential of Edge AI will require new and bold approaches to semiconductor devices. We’re delighted to have SMD Semiconductor locate with us at our Innovation Centre in Newport and to kickstart a programme of activity that will see us design, develop and innovate technology to enable the next generation of Edge AI devices.
“This formal partnership strengthens ties between the UK, Sarawak and Malaysian governments and is another example of how international partnerships are helping the UK grow its semiconductor industry and create strong, resilient supply chains for the future.”
Shariman Jamil, CEO at SMD Semiconductor said: “Today marks a bold leap forward for Sarawak’s presence in the global semiconductor arena. Through our strategic partnerships with CSA Catapult, we are building a collaborative ecosystem that connects Sarawak with some of the most advanced semiconductor innovators in the world. The agreement is more than symbolic as they are actionable commitments to co-create breakthrough technologies, accelerate R&D, and open new markets. With the opening of our R&D Innovation hub in UK, we are positioning ourselves on the world stage in driving future-ready chip design and innovation”
Established by Innovate UK in 2018, CSA Catapult is the UK’s authority on compound semiconductor applications and commercialisation. With labs and offices across the UK, CSA Catapult is a centre of excellence with state-of-the-art equipment that specialises in the measurement, characterisation, integration and validation of compound semiconductor technology across four areas: power electronics, advanced packaging, radio frequency (RF) and microwave communications, and photonics.
