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Students and researchers now have easy access to quality IP and MPW services through Muse
SAN JOSE, California, July 27, 2026 – Muse Semiconductor, a subsidiary
of GS Microelectronics US, Inc. (GSME) and a leading provider of multi-project
wafer (MPW) services, and True Circuits, Inc. (TCI), a leading provider of analog
and mixed-signal intellectual property (IP) announced today the formation of a
University IP Access Program offering TCI Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) hard macros
in select TSMC processes to students and researchers using Muse MPW services.
The goal of the program is for students and faculty to achieve better research,
by using silicon-proven commercial IP, so they can focus their attention on
innovating the next generation of semiconductor technologies.
Both Muse and TCI have long histories of working closely with universities
to promote and enable advanced research. We recognize that students and faculty
face the challenge of sourcing commercial IP and managing tight budgets. This
program seeks to make the process both easier and more cost effective. By
leveraging the existing MPW service and support infrastructure of Muse with
highly discounted commercial IP from True Circuits, the next generation of
engineers can both improve the quality of their designs and learn how to work
in a commercial environment.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for universities to have easy access to
world-class PLL IP”, said Bill Isaacson, General Manager of Muse Semiconductor.
“We are excited about this timely enhancement to our MPW tapeout service and
to see universities benefit from working with real-world, proven IP.
“We are excited to support the growing number of students, even undergraduates,
who are taking semiconductor courses and building chips”, remarked Brian Gardner,
V.P. of Business Development at True Circuits. “Providing PLLs through the Muse
University IP Access Program goes hand-in-hand with our other initiative of open
sourcing our own AMS development software, JDE™.”
The Process
The University IP Access Program is designed to closely mirror commercial
semiconductor IP deployment while maintaining appropriate intellectual property
protection and foundry compliance. Universities will engage with Muse and sign
appropriate NDAs and MPW service agreements directly with Muse. When a TCI PLL
is requested, an amendment designating the PLL part number and research project
will be provided by Muse and signed by the authorizing party. The PLL design kit
will then be delivered to the designated university contact for the specific
research project. Future PLL uses are encouraged, so simple amendments would
be signed to add new PLLs for new projects.
TCI PLLs Offered
Students and faculty doing advanced research are always in the process of
invention and need a PLL with the flexibility to clock their designs, as
their thinking evolves. They need a PLL with a breadth of features and
programmability, so it is adaptable. TCI’s General Purpose PLL is a wide
range clock multiplier with deskew capability. It contains a 1-16 divider
at the reference clock input, a 1-64 divider in the internal feedback path,
and a 1-16 divider at the output. The outputs are 50% duty cycle for all
output divider values. It delivers optimal jitter performance over all
multiplication settings and is suitable for system clock, interface and
general purpose applications where small size and low power are also
important. Consistent with the TSMC processes offered for the Muse MPW
program, TCI will offer the General Purpose PLL in TSMC 180nm, 65nm,
28nm and 16nm process nodes.
Self Service Support Portal
Students and faculty will be able to access PLL user guidelines, application
notes and training videos via a self-service portal on the Muse website. Over
time, additional resources will be available such as general PLL education
material and an AI-assisted knowledge base for PLL and IP related questions.
Additional support and assistance will be available to users, with first-level
from Muse and second-level directly from TCI.
Getting Started
Arrangements are being made to finalize the University IP Access Program and
update the Muse website so students and faculty will have easy access to this
new PLL offering. We will keep you posted when this program goes live, and we
encourage interested parties to reach out to us with questions or comments.
Please feel free to contact:
Bill Isaacson, General Manager of Muse Semiconductor at bill@musesemi.com
Brian Gardner, V.P. of Business Development at True Circuits at bgardner@truecircuits.com
About GSME
Muse Semiconductor is a leading provider of multi-project wafer (MPW)
services, dedicated to supporting university researchers, startups, and
commercial companies in bringing their chip designs to life across North
America, Europe and Asia. With deep expertise in the TSMC ecosystem, Muse
Semiconductor has played a critical role in enabling innovation and
accelerating the prototyping phase for countless semiconductor projects.
About Muse Semiconductor
GS Microelectronics US, Inc. (GSME) is a leading full-service semiconductor
company offering comprehensive ASIC design, manufacturing, packaging, and test
solutions. Leveraging advanced process technologies, GSME collaborates with
customers across high-growth sectors such as high-performance computing,
artificial intelligence, automotive, and IoT. From concept to silicon, GSME
delivers the expertise and infrastructure needed to accelerate innovation
and bring complex semiconductor products to market with speed and precision.
About True Circuits
True Circuits, Inc. develops and markets a broad range of industry leading PLLs,
DLLs and DDR PHY hard macros for ICs for the semiconductor, systems and electronics
industries. TCI's robust state-of-the-art circuits, methodical and proven design
strategy, and close association with the world's leading foundries, IDMs, and
design services companies allow the company to quickly and reliably create new
and innovative designs in a variety of advanced process technologies. Over the
last 28 years, True Circuits has distinguished itself as the technology leader
in the timing IP space, and its PLLs and DLLs are used extensively around the
world in its customers' products with production volumes well into the billions.
Press Contacts
GSME Press Relations:
pressrelations@gsme.com
www.GSME.com
TCI Press Relations:
kim@truecircuits.com
www.truecircuits.com
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