Trends in VLSI Technology – Rural Applications Perspective

Abstract

VLSI Technology has advanced rapidly since late 90s. Low cost, high performance Chips designed and fabricated made strong impact in systems development and resulted in applications to diversified fields like computers, communications, entertainment electronics, medicine, and rural necessities. Spreading of Internet globally, making this world as a ‘global village” and rapid strides in mobile communications have a direct bearing on the progress made in VLSI technology. Research work is being done to further develop the technology in new dimensions like Silicon Photonics, Organic semi-conductors, Flexible displays etc. These developments take the technology further close to rural applications and can result in significant improvement in the quality of life in villages. Fibre optic connectivity, hosting of portals with useful information to rural folk, e-governance, energy conservation, wireless sensor networks, Telephone-TV can improve the standard of living in rural areas significantly. VLSI technology directly or indirectly is playing a vital role in this direction.This paper reviews various developments taking place in the technology, research work being done in this area, new devices and systems being developed and their applications. The application of the technology and systems developed for rural areas is also discussed. The projects implemented and possible developments to improve quality of life in rural areas is discussed.With the rapid strides being made in silicon device technology, efficient, low cost devices with high performance are being manufactured. The chip design methods, making use of the software tools are producing hardware for various applications like computers, communications, defence, household appliances, commercial toys etc. These developments are also making inroads into rural areas and changing the technological applications scenario there. Hosting of websites / portals with information useful to rural areas is proving to be a boon, for which the VLSI technology is contributing significantly.