BUET Successfully Tapes Out 100% Open-Source 32-bit RISC-V Processor "Pragati v1".

BUET Successfully Tapes Out 100% Open-Source 32-bit RISC-V Processor "Pragati v1"

Dept. of EEE, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) has achieved a historic milestone by successfully completing the tape-out of Pragati v1, a 100% open-source 32-bit RISC-V processor. The achievement marks Bangladesh's entry into the era of indigenous semiconductor chip design and represents a significant step toward building a national semiconductor ecosystem.

To commemorate the occasion, a souvenir of the fabricated chip was presented to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of BUET, Professor Dr. Abdul Hasib Chowdhury. The event was attended by the project's supervisor Professor Dr. ABM Harun-ur Rashid, Head of the Department of EEE Professor Dr. Sharif Mohammad Mominuzzaman, CEO of Neural Semiconductor Limited Md. Shakhawat Hossain, Director, iTest Bangladesh Ltd. Syed Munir, Engineering Lead of iTest Bangladesh Md Mashur Shalehin , along with members of the development research team.

The project was led by Professor Dr. ABM Harun-ur Rashid and carried out by undergraduate students Khalid Hossain and Sheikh Tariful Islam, with technical support from Neural Semiconductor Limited. The processor is designed as a System-on-Chip (SoC) for smart household appliances, including air conditioners, smart refrigerators, and various Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

Built on the open-standard RISC-V Instruction Set Architecture (ISA), Pragati v1 was developed entirely using open-source Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools and the IHP SG13G2 130 nm open-source Process Design Kit (PDK). The chip was fabricated free of charge by IHP – Leibniz Institute for High Performance Microelectronics, Germany, under its open-source fabrication program, and has now been delivered to BUET.

The processor will undergo comprehensive testing with technical support from iTest Bangladesh Limited, utilizing the advanced testing facilities of iTEST, Inc. in San Jose, California. Upon successful validation, the team plan to integrate the processor into consumer electronic products manufactured in Bangladesh. Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC also contributed to the project by providing the technical specifications and application requirements for its air-conditioner controller.

This achievement demonstrates the growing research capabilities of BUET and the strength of collaboration between academia, industry, and international research institutions. More importantly, it marks an encouraging step toward developing home-grown semiconductor technologies and positioning Bangladesh for future innovation in integrated circuit design and advanced electronics.