Barkhausen Institut strengthens Germany’s expertise in designing trustworthy platform chips
With its new high-tech agenda, the German Federal Government is strategically strengthening Germany’s expertise in chip design. Its goal is to ensure the technological sovereignty of Germany and Europe. In particular, there is an urgent need for action in the field of central platform chips – the “electronic brains” of modern devices.
Drawing on the combined experience of its researchers from more than twenty years of cutting-edge research in Dresden, the Barkhausen Institut (BI) brings its expertise to the establishment of a National Competence Center for Chip Design (CCCD). Together with partners such as CHIPS.NRW – Cluster for Chipdesign, the Bavarian Chip-Design-Center (BCDC), and Chips JU, the BI aims to help strengthen Germany’s independent and sustainable capability to develop key chip technologies.
“Designing platform chips in-house not only secures technological sovereignty, but also builds trust in our own systems,” says Prof. Gerhard Fettweis, Scientific Director of the Barkhausen Institut. “Dresden has been known for excellence in microelectronics manufacturing for decades. But it’s also the nucleus of more than a dozen startups and many major industrial activities in chip design. Now we want to carry this strength into a new generation of chip design – open, trustworthy, and made in Germany.”
The initiative demonstrates that, with the Barkhausen Institut and its partners, Germany can set new standards in chip design and act with lasting sovereignty.
Further information:
Helmholtz Association: Interview with Gerhard Fettweis on “Microelectronics and the High-Tech Agenda – We must take our future into our own hands” (Sept 30, 2025; only in German)
Bavarian State Government: Press conference on the “Semiconductors Round Table” (Oct 6, 2025, YouTube video, only in German)
News portal Oiger: Saxony aims to host Germany’s national chip design center (Oct 28, 2025; only in German)