C-DOT and IIT Bombay Collaborate on Developing Indigenous 6G Optical Chipset

India is making significant progress in next-generation telecommunications with the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT Bombay) entering into an agreement to develop an "Optical Transceiver Chipset for High-Bandwidth 6G Wireless Links." This initiative, under the Department of Telecommunications' (DoT) Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) 6G Call for Proposals, aims to establish India as a leader in 6G innovation and deployment by 2030, with a focus on affordability, sustainability, and accessibility.

Key Highlights of the Agreement

• Objective: To create a high-bandwidth optical transceiver chipset for 6G wireless communication, facilitating high-speed connections in rural and difficult-to-reach areas.
• Significance: The project supports last-mile connectivity in regions where laying optical fiber is challenging and ensures reliable high-bandwidth communication to remote locations through satellite technology. It aligns with India's "Atmanirbhar Bharat" and "Bharat 6G" initiatives.
• Funding: The project is being funded under the TTDF 6G Call for Proposals from DoT, which aims to expedite the development of a 6G ecosystem.
• Applications: The chipset will enable free-space coherent optical links for 6G technology, facilitate high-speed internet in underserved regions, and provide reliable connectivity in difficult terrains using satellite support.

Stakeholders and Contributions

• C-DOT: A premier R&D center under the Department of Telecommunications, C-DOT focuses on developing indigenous telecom hardware for 6G applications.
• IIT Bombay: Collaborating to enhance research and development capabilities in the telecom sector, led by Prof. Shalabh Gupta, the principal investigator for the project.

Leadership Comments

• Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay (CEO, C-DOT): Highlighted the importance of indigenously developed technologies to meet India's diverse communication needs and reaffirmed the commitment to the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" and "Bharat 6G" vision.
• Prof. Shalabh Gupta: Expressed appreciation for the opportunity to contribute to advancing cutting-edge telecommunications research and infrastructure.

Broader Vision and Goals

• Research Objectives: To develop advanced chipsets that will enable seamless high-bandwidth 6G connectivity and enhance India's capabilities in the global 6G race.
• National Development: The project aims to improve digital inclusion by addressing connectivity gaps in underserved areas and advance India’s self-reliance in telecommunications technology.