Silicon Labs has opened a new research and development center in Austin, expanding its chip-design and testing capabilities as Texas pushes to strengthen its position as a U.S. semiconductor powerhouse.
The new Austin Innovation Center, unveiled Sept. 4, was made possible in part by a $23 million grant from the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund (TSIF), established under the Texas CHIPS Act. The facility is designed to accelerate development and testing of next-generation wireless semiconductor technologies.
The opening was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Silicon Labs’ Austin headquarters, attended by company executives, employees and representatives from the State of Texas.
"Our new Austin Innovation Center represents an important milestone in the partnership between the State of Texas and Silicon Labs to advance semiconductor innovation and reinforce Texas as the most attractive destination for semiconductor research, design, and development," said Matt Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Silicon Labs.
"This new space expands our ability to develop the next generation of wireless technologies that will further extend our leadership and the great impact this technology brings to the way we live and work."
The expanded facility gives Silicon Labs additional engineering space and advanced equipment for chip research, testing and validation. The company said the investment will allow engineers to work with more advanced wafer process technology nodes and shorten development cycles.
The center will support work across Silicon Labs’ wireless portfolio, including its Series 3 platform, which combines wireless connectivity, security and AI capabilities for applications ranging from smart homes and industrial systems to healthcare, commercial buildings and smart cities.
Silicon Labs said the upgraded testing infrastructure will help engineers validate new technologies more efficiently and collaborate across disciplines, with the goal of bringing products to market faster.
The investment comes as demand for intelligent, connected devices continues to rise and semiconductor companies race to deliver more capable, secure and energy-efficient technologies.
The project also underscores Texas’ broader push to build a stronger semiconductor ecosystem.
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