The Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IITH), along with WiSig Networks has developed ‘Koala’, an NB-IoT SoC (Narrowband Internet-of-Things System-on-Chip).
NB-IoT is a 5G massive machine-type-communication technology that enables low-bit rate IoT applications with long-range and device battery life up to 10 years. Funded by the department of telecommunications, Koala is said to be useful in wide range of applications.
The SoC supports NB-IoT modem with integrated baseband and radio, an application processor, and GPS functionality for location tracking.
IITH and WiSig networks (WiSig), a 5G startup incubated in iTIC (IITH Technology Incubator) and FabCI (Fabless Chip Design Incubator), a MEITY funded incubator at IITH collaborated in the successful development of Koala, India’s first 5G cellular chipset. Cyient backed it with the semiconductor design.
Prof. B.S. Murty, Director, IITH, said, “I am delighted that Koala SoC, which has been jointly developed by IITH and WiSig. I applaud Prof. Kiran Kuchi and thank DoT for the 5G Testbed project and MEITY for the FabCI incubator. Koala fulfils the objective of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and has wide-ranging 5G applications.”
