Call for Projects Now Closed

Thank you for your interest in the Microelectronics Commons Call for Projects. The Call for Projects is currently closed.

Microelectronics Commons Secure Edge Computing/IoT

Call for Projects Secure Edge/Internet of Things (IoT) Awards

Midwest Microelectronics Consortium (MMEC)

    • Validated GPU Based Secure Processing Module ($4.8M) 
      • Develop and demonstrate a Secure GPU prototype that is based on mature commercial GPUs and proven secure processor concepts to enable a forward-looking architecture for a family of secure edge GPU ecosystems for both DoD and commercial applications.
      • Low Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) secure GPU modules will enable users to rapidly deploy and update emerging AI algorithms to promote an asymmetric advantage in AI and sensor processing.

Northeast Regional Defense Technology Hub (NORDTECH)

    • IMCRYPTO: An Efficient Hardware Crypto Engine based on In-Memory Computing ($2.8M)   
      • This project seeks to fabricate and assess a cryptographic accelerator that offers enhanced security and orders of magnitude improvement to key metrics such as throughput, energy consumption and latency.
    • Modular Digital Direct Waveform Synthesizer w/ Integrated ADC Functionality (DDWS) ($9.2M) 
      • This project seeks to develop the first broadband Digital Direct Waveform Synthesizer that is highly programmable, offers high-speed communication links, direct data acquisition for flexible processing, secure storage, and ability to create a root-of-trust processing environment. Successful development will lead to advancements in performance of cognitive radar, EW, ISR, and ELINT systems.

Southwest Advanced Prototyping (SWAP)

    • ARC-V Secure Processor ($7.8M) 
      • The project’s primary objective is to create a secure, low-power processor that allows the military to confidently deploy advanced systems, even in contested environments, that rely on powerful but vulnerable commercial electronics.

Call for Projects Project Information Below is No Longer Current due to Submission Deadline Closing

The Microelectronics Commons Call for Projects has been amended.

A summary of amendments are as follows:

D1 – Added Submission Directions
D2 – Added EDA Tools and IP and Core Access Report // Letters of Support// References//Added Does not count towards 20-page limit
D3(c)- Added EDA Tools / Letters of Support/Heilmeier Responses/References
D4 – Added 15) Identify technology area, topic number(s), and project proposal number XX of 15 (e.g Project Proposal 1 of 15)
D5- Title change to “ Contents of Price Response”
D5 – Removed “severable” from instructions table (Payable Milestone Schedule)

You can find the complete amended Call for Projects under Key Documents.


Project Background

Microelectronics Commons is a CHIPS and Science Act-funded national network for onshore, microelectronics hardware-focused prototyping, laboratory to fabrication (lab-to fab) transition of semiconductor technologies and semiconductor workforce training. In 2023, the Department of Defense (DoD) established the Microelectronics Commons – a network of eight regional Hubs to evolve laboratory prototypes to fabrication prototypes and to strengthen the semiconductor workforce. Annually, Hubs will compete for project awards. These annual project awards may include infrastructure (physical, digital, and human) required to accomplish the proposed prototypes. This Call for Projects (CFP) describes the desired capabilities for which project proposals are being sought.

Microelectronics Commons Hub facilities include laboratory prototype capabilities, which typically includes ≤100 mm and ≤200 mm tooling for compound semiconductor and silicon based technologies, respectively. Hubs can also generate and mature prototypes for Cores to scale up for subsequent potential selection by the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) and/or industrial microelectronics companies, such as fabless or Integrated Device Manufacturers (IDMs), for commercialization. The role of the regional Hubs is to connect researchers and designers to prototyping capabilities targeted to strengths in the Hub’s technical topic areas.

Microelectronics Commons Cores are fabs/foundries, manufacturing facilities where semiconductor devices are manufactured, that have scalable capacity for prototyping beyond what the regional Hubs can provide (fab prototyping). They are available for use by innovators that run the gamut from university and small business up to large industrial concerns. Cores typically have 300 mm capabilities for silicon-based technologies (other sizes are technology appropriate) and are facilities that can demonstrate prototypes with the volume and characteristics required to ensure reduced risk for manufacturing. Cores serve a dual function: First, they serve to further complement and advance the work of the regional Hubs; i.e., they are integral to the Hubs themselves. For example, they provide capabilities at ≥200 mm wafer fab for silicon complimentary metal-oxide-semiconductor- (CMOS-) compatible technologies and ≥100 mm wafer fab for compound semiconductors. Second, they serve to engage with commercial fabs and better align regional Hubs to commercial processes to facilitate transition of technologies.

Current State and Desired End-State

Innovative prototypes to include microelectronics materials, processes, devices, and architectural designs will be supported. Activities executed within Microelectronics Commons shall primarily fall under Budget Activity (BA) 3, although activities that fall under Budget Activities 2 and 4 will also be supported if they are in support of the lab-to-fab prototype. (e.g., BA 2 activities may be needed to support iterative development, and BA 4 activities may be needed to support the transition of a project to DoD demonstrators.)

For further discussion on research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) budget activities, see the DoD Financial Management Regulation, DoD 7000.14-R, Volume 2B, Chapter 5. (VOLUME_2B (defense.gov).

For further discussion on Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRLs), see the Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) Deskbook, Version 2.0. https://www.dodmrl.com/MRL_Deskbook_V2.pdf

Microelectronics Commons will support prototype projects across six technical areas that are critical to the DoD. Those areas are: Secure Edge/Internet of Things Computing, 5G/6G Technology, Artificial Intelligence Hardware, Quantum Technology, Electromagnetic Warfare, and Commercial Leap Ahead. Specifically, prototype projects that achieve the desired capabilities as described in the Desired Capabilities document (Attachments c-h) are being sought. The current state, desired end-state, and success criteria for those prototype projects are included in the Desired Capabilities document.

The end-state goal is microelectronics hardware-focused prototyping and lab-to-fab transition of semiconductor technologies. For lab-to-fab prototyping, the fab prototype must at least match if not exceed lab prototype technical specifications, and there must be a path to manufacturability in a Core (i.e., a foundry or fab). Projects that have been demonstrated in a lab and are ready for prototyping in a fab will have higher priority than lab prototyping projects.

View the full Call for Projects (CFP) under Key Documents on the right side of the page.


Secure Edge Computing/IoT Projects

Secure Edge Computing/IoT Topic 1: Defense in Diversity for (Snowflake) IoT Systems

Secure Edge Computing/IoT Topic 2: Instant-On Field-Programmable Gate Array for Sensor Systems

Secure Edge Computing/IoT Topic 3: Modular Digital Direct Waveform Synthesizer (DDWS) with Integrated ADC Functionality and Enhanced Security

Secure Edge Computing/IoT Computing Topic 4: Photonic A/D and D/A Converters in PIC Format for Digital Transmit/Receive RF-Beamformers

Secure Edge Computing/IoT Topic 5: SandCastle: Secure Microelectronic Systems formed of Composite Silicon

Secure Edge Computing/IoT Topic 6: Terabit Rugged Fiber optic Transceivers based on Glass Core Technology

Secure Edge Computing/IoT Topic 7: TRAVIS: Transistor-Level Verification of Integrated Circuits

Secure Edge Computing/IoT Topic 8: Verification of Microelectronics in the Presence of Supply Chain Threats

To view the full Secure Edge Computing/IoT projects, please refer to the technical guide found under Key Documents on the right side of the page.

Connect With a Hub

The Microelectronics Commons program is comprised of eight regional Hubs, each managing their own network of commercial innovators. Those who are interested in contributing their capabilities in support of the Microelectronics Commons program must join a Hub. Click the button below to learn more about each Hub and how to get in touch.

Want to get involved in Microelectronics Commons? Get in touch with a Hub lead to join!

PROJECT TIMELINE

Call for Projects:

December 18, 2023 12:00 pm EST

Project TALX:

EST

Projects Due:

February 28, 2024 12:00 pm EST

Award Notice:

EST