'IP Bank', a semiconductor intellectual property (IP) distribution platform, which is a core element in strengthening system semiconductor competitiveness, has begun constructing its database (DB). It is expected that the platform will be operational as early as the end of the year, which will make it easier to carry out semiconductor IP transactions. Making it easy to secure semiconductor IP is expected to shorten the planning period and contribute to the discovery of excellent domestic IP.
Innovation Center for System IC recently selected an operator for the 'System Semiconductor IP Bank Platform DB Construction and System Development' and began platform development. It plans to prioritize securing a DB of major domestic IP and then create an online platform where they can be distributed and traded.
The System Semiconductor, IP Bank is a new business in the semiconductor field with a business scale of about 3.2 billion won that is being promoted by Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy this year. Innovation Center for System IC will create an ecosystem for distribution and transaction to increase IP accessibility for design and development companies such as semiconductor fabless.
Until now, the semiconductor IP market has mainly relied on certain overseas IP companies. This made it difficult to discover or utilize excellent domestic IP. Platforms are already actively being operated overseas for companies, such as fabless companies, looking to register core IP for system semiconductors developed by universities, research institutes, and IP companies. A prime example is France's 'Design and Reuse', which has more than 400 IP providers and institutions, that have registered with more than 16,000 key IP cores secured.
Once a system semiconductor IP Bank is established, it will increase the external IP accessibility of fabless. Receiving IP required for semiconductor chip design from the platform is expected to shorten the development period and reduce costs. It will also create an ecosystem to discover and utilize an excellent IP from universities or domestic IP providers. In particular, it can help expand the domestic IP ecosystem by opening the way for various companies to use semiconductor IP, where reusability is important.
Innovation Center for System IC is also conducting research and analysis on semiconductor IP supply and demand companies. It plans to maximize synergy with its System Semiconductor IP Bank business in order to increase IP utilization.
By staff reporter Dong-joon Kwon (djkwon@etnews.com)