Natcast finalizes first NSTC R&D contracts to accelerate AI-driven RFIC design innovation

Natcast, the purpose-built, non-profit entity designated by the Department of Commerce to operate the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) established by the CHIPS and Science Act, announced it has finalized contracts through the first NSTC R&D Jump Start program, Artificial Intelligence Driven Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit Design Enablement (AIDRFIC). 

The three awarded projects will cumulatively receive nearly $30 million in total funding and promise to transform RFIC design by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies. The projects will help address one of the U.S. semiconductor industry’s most pressing design productivity challenges and strengthen U.S. leadership in next-generation communication systems critical to our economic and national security.

“Embracing AI for radio frequency design is paramount for maintaining the United States’ leadership in technological innovation,” said Deirdre Hanford, Natcast CEO. “As global competition intensifies, particularly with China’s advancements in RF technology, leveraging AI not only accelerates our research capabilities but also ensures the U.S. remains at the cutting edge of communication infrastructure. By investing in AI-driven RF solutions, we secure our competitive edge, bolster national security, and drive economic growth, affirming the U.S. as the leader in the global tech landscape.”

The awarded teams are led by Keysight Technologies, Princeton University, and the University of Texas at Austin, respectively, and comprise top experts from academia and industry. The awards range from $9-10 million each, with projects expected to commence by June 2025 and last 30 months.

“RFIC design is a complex, time-intensive process requiring expertise in electromagnetics and circuit optimization,” said Dr. Marcus Pan, AIDRFIC Program Manager at Natcast. “By exploring and investing in projects like these that leverage AI and ML technologies to revolutionize the RFIC design landscape, the U.S. can significantly accelerate development and improve design quality of leading-edge technologies that are essential for the evolving power and efficiency needs of broadband, beyond 5G and 6G, and next-gen RF hardware.”

Keysight Technologies
Project: AI for Accelerating RFIC Design Efficiency, Innovation, and Optimization for U.S. Competitiveness

Keysight Technologies is spearheading an EDA industrial initiative to transform RFIC design through AI-driven automation. This project brings together a coalition of industry leaders, academic institutions, and emerging startups to develop and productize intelligent tools that streamline and elevate the RFIC design process.

By making cutting-edge AI workflows accessible across experience levels, the project aims to unlock unprecedented productivity, accelerate innovation and commercialization, and establish a scalable framework that positions U.S. semiconductor design at the forefront of global competitiveness.

Princeton University

Project: IMAGINE – Inverse Methods and Generative AI for Algorithmic and Non-intuitive Design Explorations in RFICs

Princeton's IMAGINE project is rethinking the RFIC design process from the ground up. Leveraging AI and inverse design methodologies, the project aims to build an end-to-end design pipeline that can rapidly move from specs to layout — while uncovering performance-boosting design possibilities that traditional methods might fail to achieve. With a cross-disciplinary team of academic and industry experts, this work promises to reduce design cycles and unleash new paradigms for intelligent RFIC innovation.

University of Texas at Austin
Project: GENIE-RFIC – Generative ENgine for Intelligent and Expedited RFIC Design

UT Austin’s GENIE-RFIC project is advancing a next-generation design engine powered by AI to tackle both SiGe and GaN RFIC challenges. By focusing on AI-enabled modeling and inverse design approaches, the project aims to generate high-performance, along with non-intuitive solutions that push the limits of what is currently possible. Backed by academic-industry partnerships and a clear commercialization pathway, GENIE-RFIC aims to redefine the speed and sophistication of RFIC design.

In addition to advancing RFIC design capabilities, the awarded AIDRFIC projects will contribute to workforce development by incorporating program learnings into academic curricula and training initiatives. This will ensure that new engineers are equipped with cutting-edge skills and knowledge, fostering a robust ecosystem of talent to support the U.S. industry’s future needs.

“AI is transforming every aspect of technology, and integrated circuit design is no exception,” said Dr. Robert Chau, Senior VP of Research at Natcast. “We’re proud to support these three innovative teams and projects to help enable new RFIC design methodologies that not only accelerate development and improve performance, but also enhance productivity and support a robust, future-ready workforce. This work is essential to extending U.S. leadership in mission-critical, next-generation telecommunications and RF technologies.”

In alignment with its mission to enhance technological innovation, the NSTC is funding the development of enabling tools and core technologies that will be leveraged by application developers across commercial, critical infrastructure, and national security sectors. The work advanced through AIDRFIC additionally extend to other areas of the semiconductor design and product space. By supporting these foundational advancements, the NSTC aims to foster a versatile and robust ecosystem capable of meeting varied technological needs.