Bengaluru, India – AGNIT Semiconductors, a startup specializing in Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductor technology, has inaugurated a new testing and qualification laboratory at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). The company invested Rs 3 crore into the 350 sq. ft. facility, which is designed to reduce reliance on external testing infrastructure and expedite the commercialization of domestically developed semiconductor solutions.
Accelerating Indigenous Chip Development
The new laboratory will enable AGNIT Semiconductors to conduct in-house validation, reliability testing, and qualification for its GaN semiconductor components. These components are critical for various high-tech applications, including defense communications, advanced telecom infrastructure, satellite systems, and next-generation wireless networks.
Hareesh Chandrasekar, co-founder and CEO of AGNIT Semiconductors, emphasized the strategic importance of this development. "India’s semiconductor ambitions require not only chip design and fabrication capabilities but also robust indigenous validation and reliability ecosystems," Chandrasekar stated. He added that the facility marks a significant milestone in AGNIT’s growth, aligning with the 'Make in India for the world' vision by building advanced semiconductor capabilities. This dedicated in-house testing environment is expected to accelerate product development cycles, enhance performance, and better support the evolving needs of telecom and defense clients.
State-of-the-Art Equipment and Capabilities
The newly established laboratory is equipped with a range of advanced instruments. Key features include environmental testing chambers capable of operating across a wide temperature spectrum, from -60°C to 125°C. It also houses RF test and measurement benches, connectorized RF load-pull testing systems, and automated PCB assembly equipment. These tools are crucial for comprehensive characterization and reliability assessment of GaN devices.
According to the company, this dedicated facility will significantly reduce the turnaround times required for board characterization, qualification testing, and the generation of essential reliability data. Previously, AGNIT relied heavily on shared infrastructure at IISc for much of its testing needs. The new lab fosters tighter integration between the company's design, fabrication, and testing teams, leading to faster product development.
Future Expansion and Strategic Funding
A team of five to eight engineers and researchers will operate the laboratory. AGNIT Semiconductors also plans to expand the facility’s capabilities to include accelerated lifetime testing and qualification for military-grade semiconductor components, a sector known for its exceptionally stringent reliability standards.
To date, AGNIT Semiconductors has secured approximately Rs 60 crore in funding from investors such as 3one4 Capital and Zephyr Peacock, with additional participation from Lakshmi Narayanan, underscoring investor confidence in its technological advancements and market potential.