Posted: 15.01.2025 13:56:29

Synergy of experience and competencies

Belarus has sufficient potential in the field of microelectronics to become a leading design centre

The trend towards the localisation of the semiconductor industry is now taking on a global character. Leading countries in this field are wisely implementing large-scale government programmes to stimulate the development of their own ecosystems for the development and production of microelectronics. The reasons are clear. Microelectronic technologies are a driving force behind the development of a number of strategic sectors — from energy to machine engineering. The chips, semiconductor devices, modules, and systems on a chip (SoC) created on this basis form the technological foundation for the digitalisation of all areas of society. Consequently, they ensure national and economic security. The starting point for the design and production of innovative integrated circuits and devices with unique characteristics is computer modelling. This is a key tool for creating an intelligent product that is in demand in the domestic market and possesses significant export potential. In this regard, Belarusian specialists in the field of microelectronics have extensive competencies.

Vectors of movement  

As is well known, Belarus boasts one of the best scientific schools in microelectronics. Thanks to the careful preservation of the achievements of previous generations of scientists, engineers, and programmers, the current level of domestic technology in the field of computer-aided design of microelectronic devices can be characterised as quite commendable. At the same time, our scientists are open to constructive dialogue with their foreign colleagues. The recent meeting held as part of a scientific and practical conference at the Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics (BSUIR) is a testament to this. At this venue, Belarusian and foreign experts from scientific and industrial circles traditionally discuss pressing issues in the design of micro- and nanoelectronics, seeking joint solutions to key industry challenges.  
In his time, engineer and co-founder of Intel Gordon Moore described the main trend that set the tone for the development of global microelectronics for many years. The number of transistors on an integrated circuit, as the analyst claimed, would double every two years, while their sizes would, conversely, shrink. Today, the design norms for microchips have reached fantastic limits of just a few nanometres, and modern microelectronics represents a vast field for research. There is much that is fascinating, but it is unwise to spread oneself too thin. Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor Vladimir Labunov, Academician of Belarus’ National Academy of Sciences, a foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, believes that in the context of limited human and financial resources, it is essential to choose research topics that resonate with current realities and are in demand by the economy. Furthermore, in the field of microelectronics, it is advisable for our scientists to primarily consider the experience of their Russian colleagues as the closest partners. The algorithm for achieving technological leadership by China is also of interest.
By combining partnership efforts, a powerful synergistic effect can be achieved. There is significant interest in the world of microelectronics regarding 2D materials, which — according to experts — possess unique properties. The most common of these is graphene. It is stronger than steel and diamond, yet quite flexible. Another advantage is its ultra-high conductivity. 2D materials are successfully used for making miniature transistors in modern microchips for high-speed electronics. Scientists assert that in the future, microchips made from 2D materials could form the basis for quantum supercomputers.

Minsk’s Integral Plant           belta 

Experts predict that optical technologies will see widespread commercial application in the near future. Chips developed using these technologies utilise photons rather than electrons for processing and transmitting information. The use of light instead of electricity reduces thermal effects and increases the integration capacity of the chip’s components. The advantages of integrated photonics find applications in automotive engineering, biomedicine, data transmission, and more.
One of the progressive directions in microelectronics is the development and implementation of wide-band-gap (WBG) semiconductors of the third generation. These include materials such as silicon carbide and gallium nitride. Currently, power electronics of this generation are already being used in passenger electric vehicles. Next in line are freight and railway transport, renewable energy, power transmission lines, electric motor drives, information and communication technology, and data centres. The use of WBG semiconductors allows electronic devices to be made more compact, lighter, and more powerful, while reducing energy losses and simplifying cooling systems. The United States is the world leader in the use of silicon carbide and gallium nitride in power electronics.
Notably, China is actively catching up with the United States. Russia currently possesses a certain range of technologies in this field. Employees of the applied research laboratory at Integral JSC are also engaged in similar research. Moreover, in working on new breakthrough projects, specialists of the holding closely collaborate with scientists from BSUIR.

New research centre at Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics    Kirill Stasko 

Configuration of co-operation

Computer modelling helps to create and improve the component base for the electronics industry. This tool significantly shortens the path of a future product from design to market launch. The Computer Modelling of Micro- and Nanoelectronic Systems laboratory at BSUIR is one of the leading design centres in Belarus. The fundamental developments by university researchers are used to address relevant applied tasks, including the promising areas mentioned above. 
Alongside scientific experiments, university specialists are taking certain steps towards developing special software for modelling technological processes, device structures, and integrated circuits. Viktor Stempitsky, Vice-Rector for Research, Candidate of Technical Sciences, and Associate Professor at BSUIR, believes that it is quite feasible to solve this task in partnership with Russian and Chinese counterparts, “This could be a joint software product created, for instance, within the framework of the SCO. Moreover, our Chinese partners have solid developments in this area. The exchange of experience in this direction is very beneficial for us. Therefore, the importance of a dialogue platform such as the Computer Design in Microelectronics International Scientific and Practical Conference cannot be overstated. Through the joint efforts of scientists and practitioners from friendly countries, we might organise the process of import substitution for specialised software that is difficult to access under Western restrictions.” 
Viktor Stempitsky  Darya Titova
International co-operation within an organisation like the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation could indeed provide an additional impetus for the development of the industry. After all, modern global microelectronics is fundamentally based on outsourcing. There are design centres and manufacturing facilities. Only a handful of companies possess a complete cycle for creating finished products. The fabless business model in the electronics industry implies that the brand-owning company specialises solely in the design and sale of products. Lacking its own manufacturing capacities, a fabless company places orders with specialised production facilities of other companies. This approach is convenient and beneficial for both startups and leading market players. By concentrating resources and efforts on research and design, development companies create high-quality intellectual products, while contract manufacturers focus on the competitiveness of their production capacities.
The essence of the idea is that participants in the system of international division of functions and competencies are aimed not at fierce competition, but at mutually beneficial co-operation. Given the potential of Belarusian research and development structures, our country could well occupy its unique niche in the future international configuration.

By Tatiana Shchedrenok