As a part of UKTIN’s semiconductors-themed month, we spoke to Dr. Ebrahim Bushehri, CEO of Lime Microsystems.
Please tell us about your business.
Bushehri: Lime Microsystems is a UK-based company focusing on Software-Defined Radio (SDR) technology, particularly in developing field-programmable radio frequency (RF) transceiver chipsets and modules. These transceivers are building blocks for wireless communication and Radio Access Networks. They can be configured for various wireless standards, making them highly versatile. The target markets include the telecommunications industry, developing new network infrastructures such as 5G/6G and beyond; and IoT networks, enabling diverse wireless communication protocols for connected devices.
There is a lot of buzz around semiconductors at the moment. Why?
Bushehri: Semiconductors are the brains of modern electronics, and their demand has surged due to the rise of tech and more devices, such as mobile phones, laptops, cars and so on. The next-generation technologies, including AI and 5G/6G, rely heavily on advanced semiconductors. In addition, the pandemic disrupted production and created shortages, resulting in supply chain issues and both exacerbating and highlighting the need for semiconductors.
Where are the big opportunities for semiconductors? And for your research/ business?
Bushehri: The next five years present a wealth of opportunities for massive expansion in the semiconductor industry, driven by several key trends. For example, the advancements in AI and Machine Learning (ML) require specialised chips for efficient data processing and training complex algorithms. Advancements in emerging technologies such as autonomous vehicles, robotics, and virtual reality will rely heavily on high-performance semiconductors. The ever-growing demand for cloud computing requires powerful and efficient data centre processors.
As for Lime, the rollout of 5G and 6G networks will continue, demanding more sophisticated chips capable of handling high data rates and low latency. The development of 6G technology will also push the boundaries of chip performance even further, and the Internet of Things (IoT) will see billions of devices needing chips for processing and communication. Lime Microsystems is well-positioned to benefit from the need for such hyperconnectivity because our SDR technology will allow telecom companies to adapt their networks to new standards efficiently. In addition, Lime products can be used for the research and development of next-generation wireless technologies given the programmability of our radio technology.
The opportunities for us lie in developing more versatile and adaptable SDR solutions for complete software-based wireless network deployments; partnering with telecoms and tech companies such as Vodafone to create innovative wireless solutions; and contributing to developing next-generation wireless standards.
What are your predictions for the year ahead?
Bushehri: The year ahead will see some exciting progress in the development and implementation of Open RAN products for Private Networks:
- Increased deployments: Early adopters such as Lime Micro will showcase successful implementations, encouraging broader adoption.
- Technological advancements: Advancements in areas like virtualisation and interfacing will make Open RAN more viable. Programmable semiconductors are fundamental for achieving this objective.
- Cost benefits: As Open RAN adoption grows, cost reductions due to competition and interoperability will be more evident for which Software Defined Radio technology with higher levels of integration at the microchip level plays a key role.
- Government support: Governments looking to diversify their telecoms infrastructure might incentivise Open RAN adoption. The UK government has committed to supporting SMEs and larger organisations to develop and deploy such products, including semiconductors, to encourage supplier diversification.
- Focus on specific use cases: Open RAN might initially see success in targeted areas like enterprise networks.
- Collaboration: Increased collaboration between telecom operators, equipment vendors, and open source communities will be crucial.
What is the one thing you’d like people to know about your work?
Bushehri: We have broken the mould on how wireless networks are deployed. We have built a Software Defined Radio platform that has the performance and programmability required to execute the entire 5G wireless networks in software - including those that could previously only be done by custom hardware.
