STM to expand embedded development in India

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STM to expand embedded development in India
By K.C. Krishnadas , Courtesy of EE Times
Aug 23, 2005 (10:24 AM)
URL: http://www.eetuk.com/bus/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=170000046

BANGALORE, India — STMicroelectronics, which has been conducting R&D in India since 1992, said it has agreed to outsource more work to L&T Infotech Ltd., Mumbai. It is also close to completing a similar agreement with another unnamed Indian company.

"We have recently signed an agreement with L&T to develop embedded software for multimedia applications around our Nomadik processor. They will also be doing porting of operating systems and developing device drivers,” said Vivek Sharma, director of Intellectual Property Development Factory, STMicroelectronics Pvt. Ltd., at Noida near New Delhi.

The second agreement also covers embedded software development, he said.

STM is also looking to outsource verification functions to companies here. “It would make more sense to have long-term outsourcing contracts with firms in India and we are looking at how our partnership will grow with firms here."

With 1,500 engineers in Noida and 50 in Bangalore, STM is looking to build vertical strengths in India, instead of spreading itself too thin. "Doing this can deliver much more value than is done at present," Sharma said.

STM is attempting to design and develop a processor here using 65-nm process technology and is also working on a 5-megapixel SoC for cameras.

The India centers are focused on audio and video development along with home and personal connectivity, memory products and automotive. Most of STM's library development is done here, and full SoCs have been developed for cameras, set-top boxes and automobiles, Sharma said.