India's Indigenous Broadband Chip VIHAAN Achieves First-Pass Success

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Key takeaways

Chennai-based startup Aheesa Digital Innovations achieved first-pass silicon success for VIHAAN, India's first indigenous broadband System-on-Chip.
The chip is built on open-standard RISC-V architecture and powered by C-DAC's 64-bit VEGA processor.
Developed under MeitY's Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme, VIHAAN strengthens India's telecom security and reduces semiconductor import reliance.

Chennai-based semiconductor startup Aheesa Digital Innovations achieved first-pass silicon success for its indigenous broadband networking System-on-Chip named VIHAAN.
This milestone received support from the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) under the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme.

VIHAAN is India's first domestically designed broadband networking System-on-Chip (SoC).
It uses open-standard RISC-V architecture and runs on the 64-bit VEGA processor developed by C-DAC.
The chip delivers secure and high-speed semiconductor solutions for optical fiber networks and customer equipment.

The chip was designed by Aheesa Digital Innovations, located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Financial backing came through the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme under the India Semiconductor Mission.
The primary aim is to supply domestic telecom chips for Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) deployments and reduce foreign imports.

It processes data coming from GPON and EPON fiber networks and transfers it through Gigabit Ethernet ports.
Its 64-bit VEGA core manages network routing, traffic inspection, Quality of Service, and firewall tasks rapidly.
Built-in hardware features like secure boot and encryption engines shield system firmware from cybersecurity threats.
It runs on Aheesa Router OS (AROS), a software based on OpenWrt that easily connects with routers and modems.

The chip achieved first-pass silicon success on its initial manufacturing try, saving considerable time and budget.
By utilizing C-DAC's 64-bit VEGA processor, it lowers India's dependency on patented foreign chip designs.
It combines fiber networking, computing, and memory functions onto a single chip designed for FTTH hardware.
Hardware security elements protect the system against unauthorized access and cyber threats.
Its reference platform allows Indian electronics vendors to produce Wi-Fi routers and Optical Network Terminals locally.

Using native silicon reduces foreign reliance, cuts supply-chain bottlenecks, and enhances national cybersecurity.
This milestone validates the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme and strengthens India's semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem.