First International Conference on Semiconductor Materials Packaging, AI & ML, Reconfigurable VLSI Architectures for IoT, and Future Communication

Day 1: First International Conference on Semiconductor Materials Packaging, AI & ML, Reconfigurable VLSI Architectures for IoT, and Future Communication Technologies (SMART-2024)

The First International Conference on Semiconductor Materials Packaging, AI & ML, Reconfigurable VLSI Architectures for IoT, and Future Communication Technologies (SMART-2024) at BV Raju Institute of Technology (BVRIT) kicked off with immense enthusiasm and a lineup of distinguished speakers and experts from across the globe. This prestigious event, organized by the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), brings together industry leaders, academicians, researchers, and practitioners to exchange ideas, present groundbreaking research, and discuss trends and challenges in these rapidly evolving fields.

The conference is aligned with the objectives of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), which is committed to making India a global hub for semiconductor manufacturing, research, and innovation. SMART-2024 is not only a platform for discussing academic research but also plays a pivotal role in bringing together industry and academia to collaborate on real-world challenges in semiconductor technologies, artificial intelligence, machine learning, VLSI architectures, IoT, and communication technologies.

Inaugural Session: Lighting the Lamp of Knowledge

The event commenced with the traditional lighting of the lamp, symbolizing the illumination of knowledge, with key speakers, dignitaries, and esteemed guests on the dais. This auspicious moment marked the beginning of a knowledge-sharing journey over the course of two days. Guest speakers Prof. Madhavan Swaminathan and Prof. Pandurang Ashrit also took part in the inaugural ceremony, further emphasizing their commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration in the field of semiconductor technologies.

Among the distinguished dignitaries gracing the inaugural session were:

• Sri K.V. Vishnu Raju Garu, Chairman of Sri Vishnu Educational Society and a visionary leader in education and technology.
• Sri Ravichandran Rajagopal Garu, Vice Chairman of Sri Vishnu Educational Society, whose commitment to innovation in education is well-known.
• Aditya Vissam , Secretary, Sri Vishnu Educational Society, a key figure in steering the institution's educational mission.
• Dr. Lakshmi Prasad Garu, Director, BVRIT Narsapur, a dynamic leader and academician.
• Dr Sanjay Dubey , Principal, BVRIT Narsapur, whose expertise and leadership have greatly contributed to the success of the institution.
• SANJEEV REDDY B R , HOD, ECE Department, BVRIT Narsapur, whose contributions to the field of Electronics and Communication Engineering and commitment to fostering innovation are highly regarded.

Welcome Address and Introductions

The conference began with a warm welcome from SANJEEV REDDY B R , Head of the Department, Electronics and Communication Engineering, who introduced the theme of SMART-2024. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between the disciplines of civil, electronics, and electrical engineering to work towards advancing semiconductor technologies in line with India's aspirations under the India Semiconductor Mission.

SANJEEV REDDY B R reflected on the 25-year history of the ECE Department at BVRIT, which has grown into a hub of innovation, research, and academic excellence. He spoke passionately about the future of semiconductor technology and its potential to revolutionize industries globally. His welcome address set the tone for a day filled with high-level discussions and learning. He also extended his gratitude to the organizing committee, faculty, and participants, acknowledging their roles in making SMART-2024 a reality.

Following SANJEEV REDDY B R, Dr Sanjay Dubey , Principal of BVRIT, delivered a captivating speech where he discussed the impact of AI on semiconductor packaging. Dr Sanjay Dubey introduced the audience to 2.5D and 3D packaging technologies, emphasizing how they are reshaping the semiconductor industry. He elaborated on the evolution of silicon-based packaging and its significance in enhancing the performance of electronic devices. Additionally, he acknowledged the valuable contributions of Pandurang Ashrit, one of the keynote speakers, to the field of thin films and substrates in electronic packaging.

Keynote Address by Chairman, Sri Vishnu Educational Society

The inaugural session continued with an inspiring speech by Sri K.V. Vishnu Raju Garu, Chairman of Sri Vishnu Educational Society. His address focused on the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and how platforms like SMART-2024 play a crucial role in advancing India's capabilities in semiconductor technologies. He shared the exciting news of BVRIT’s partnership with top National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and IIT Hyderabad, including contributions to the Microscopy and Material Characteristics Lab at IIT Hyderabad, which was built with an investment of ?90 crores, with BVRIT contributing ?1.5 crores.

Chairman Sri K.V. Vishnu Raju Garu also underscored the importance of microscopy labs in semiconductor research, motivating students to make the most of this two-day conference by learning from the eminent speakers and gaining insights into cutting-edge technologies. His words ignited excitement among participants about the future of India's role in the global semiconductor industry.

Keynote Speeches by Industry Experts

The inaugural session was followed by a series of keynote presentations from renowned experts in the field, starting with Prof. Madhavan Swaminathan, William E. Leonhard Professor and Head of Electrical Engineering, Penn State University, USA. His talk was a comprehensive exploration of the semiconductor industry’s evolution. He paid homage to pioneers such as Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel, and Robert H. Dennard, inventor of modern DRAM, as well as Lynn Conway, who revolutionized VLSI chip design in the 1980s.

Prof. Swaminathan’s presentation touched on critical topics, including:

• The evolution of semiconductor scaling trends (CPU) over time.
• Training FLOPs and their relevance in the context of Moore’s Law.
• The integration of CPU, GPU, and AI technologies.
• The significance of transistor and GPU advancements in today’s semiconductors.
• The transition from monolithic chips to chiplets and the impact of heterogeneous integration on system design.
• The challenges posed by EDA (Electronic Design Automation) and the future of monolithic 3D (M3D) densification in semiconductor manufacturing.

His insights into the future of semiconductors, particularly the transition from pre-1995 to post-2023 semiconductor technologies, were truly thought-provoking. He also highlighted Penn State University’s CHIMES-JUMP 200 center, which is driving innovation in semiconductor research and IVR (Integrated Voltage Regulation) architectures.

Prof. Swaminathan’s speech concluded with a discussion on India's growing role in the global semiconductor market, and he acknowledged the MoA (Memorandum of Agreement) between SVES and Penn State University, a collaboration that promises to drive significant advancements in semiconductor research and education.

Keynote by Prof. Pandurang Ashrit

The second keynote speech was delivered by Prof. Pandurang Ashrit, Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Université de Moncton, Canada. His talk delved into the role of Phase Change Materials (PCM) in electronic packaging and their critical application in modern electronics.

Prof. Pandurang Ashrit discussed:

• The evolution of mobile phones and the significant role that thin films and substrates play in the packaging of electronic devices.
• The concept of brain-inspired computing circuits, which are becoming more prevalent in advanced semiconductor designs.
• Electrochromics and photochromic thin films in electronic packaging, highlighting their ability to switch optical properties in response to environmental changes.
• The science behind thermochromic materials, which change color based on temperature, and their potential applications in future electronics.
• His team’s Hall Effect and free electron density research, which provided deeper insights into resistive and optical switching mechanisms in semiconductors.

Prof. Pandurang Ashrit presentation was a deep dive into phase change materials, which are playing an increasingly important role in developing more efficient and effective semiconductor technologies. His expertise in thin-film deposition and electronic packaging provided invaluable knowledge to all the attendees, further solidifying the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in semiconductor innovation.

Gratitude to the Organizing Committee

As the first day of the conference drew to a close, Dr T.Vasudeva Reddy , Professor at the ECE Department, expressed his heartfelt thanks to all the speakers, guests, faculty, and participants. He acknowledged the efforts of the organizing committee, including the faculty members, HODs, placement coordinators, and the media team, for their hard work and dedication to making SMART-2024 a grand success.

The day concluded with the National Anthem, and the atmosphere was filled with excitement and anticipation for the next day of insightful discussions and learning.

Reflections on Day 1: Knowledge and Inspiration

The first day of SMART-2024 was a resounding success, bringing together experts from across the world to share their knowledge and experience in the fields of semiconductor materials packaging, AI & ML, reconfigurable VLSI architectures, and future communication technologies. The speakers provided not only a glimpse into the present state of the semiconductor industry but also a vision for its future.

The discussions on Moore’s Law, heterogeneous integration, phase change materials, and monolithic 3D densification were not only technical but also highlighted the practical applications of these technologies in driving the future of IoT and AI-driven devices. Moreover, the emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration across civil, electrical, and electronics engineering laid a strong foundation for continued innovation in semiconductor research.

Looking Ahead to Day 2

With Day 1 coming to an end, the anticipation for Day 2 is palpable. The second day promises to continue the exploration of cutting-edge research, with more keynote addresses, panel discussions, and networking opportunities for the participants. SMART-2024 is more than just a conference—it is a platform for fostering collaboration and driving the next wave of innovation in semiconductor technologies.

Acknowledgements

I extend my heartfelt thanks to the BVRIT ECE Department, the organizing committee, and all the key speakers and guests for making this conference a grand success. I am grateful for the opportunity to attend and learn from the best minds in the field.

Thank you to:

• Prof. Madhavan Swaminathan and Prof. Pandurang Ashrit for their inspiring keynote addresses.
• Sri K.V. Vishnu Raju Garu, Sri Ravichandran Rajagopal Garu, and the entire leadership team of Sri Vishnu Educational Society for their unwavering support.
• Dr. Sanjay Dubey and Dr. B R Sanjeeva Reddy for their leadership and guidance in making this event possible.

Looking forward to sharing more insights from Day 2! ??