Collaboration

The new Finnish SoC Hub strengthens global system-on-chip design expertise

Published on 6.10.2020

Tampere University

The SocHub ecosystem in Tampere reinforces the domains of System-on-Chip design and microelectronics.

The joint initiative of Tampere University and Nokia creates a new ecosystem that will reinforce the domains of System-on-Chip design and microelectronics.

Tampere University and Nokia join forces to establish a new hub of expertise in System-on-Chip (SoC) design. The strategic SoC Hub initiative combines academic research and business activities and aims to enhance the international competitiveness of companies amidst the ongoing transformation of circuit technology.

The SoC Hub is a new strategic initiative of the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences (ITC) at Tampere University. Set to launch in November 2020, the initiative will create a new ecosystem that will reinforce the domains of System-on-Chip design and microelectronics.

The ecosystem will create new opportunities for matching design expertise with industry demands. The goals are to disseminate knowledge of System-on-Chip design, increase expertise and attract more professionals to the SoC sector where the demand for expertise is high. The growing ecosystem for SoC design will attract students, researchers and new businesses to the Tampere region. Business Tampere, the economic development agency of the Tampere region, participates in building up the ecosystem.

Research collaboration with companies speeds up the development of circuit technology

An important part of the initiative will be research projects carried out in collaboration with different companies. The development of the ecosystem is led by the main partner Nokia, whose Veturi initiative is supported by Business Finland. The building of the hub of expertise will also help accelerate the development of industrial 5G networks in Finland.

“Nokia’s Veturi initiative lends significant support to the University’s existing strategy in the field of microelectronics. Our faculty invests in new professorships and builds active collaboration with companies and research organisations working in this field,” says Jyrki Vuorinen, dean of the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences at Tampere University.

The SoC Hub initiative is led by Nokia’s Head of Technology Management Ari Kulmala, who is also a professor of practice at Tampere University. Kulmala has not only solid experience of building collaboration networks but also extensive expertise of SoC integration. In addition, applications are currently invited for two new professorships in the field.

New training opportunities available also for working professionals

The initiative will also complement Tampere University’s curriculum. New study modules will be introduced in the field of computer engineering, electronics and communications engineering, which will also be available for working professionals.

“System-on-Chip design requires multidisciplinary expertise from several research areas. The projects conducted within the SoC Hub will eventually bring together dozens of professors and their research groups,” says Timo Hämäläinen, head of the Computing Sciences Unit at Tampere University.

“The SoC Hub will reinforce the entire competence chain from wireless communication algorithms to physical and tested integrated circuits,” adds Mikko Valkama. He leads the Electrical Engineering Unit at Tampere University.

Project receives EU Regional Development Funding from the Council of Tampere Region.

Read more in Nokia’s press release and SoC Hub website.