NUST Develops Pakistan’s First Self Developed Embedded Microprocessor

Semiconductor chips are the heart of all electronic devices and consumer appliances these days. Global semiconductor sales reached $556 billion in 2021, but Pakistan has not been able to benefit from this lucrative market.

The National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), in line with its vision of undertaking applied research and innovation, embarked upon the journey to make Pakistan self-reliant on this critical technology.

In-House Design

Researchers at NUST have successfully completed full functional testing of the country’s first truly indigenously designed microprocessor called NTiny-E. The embedded microprocessor chip was designed by the research team of the NUST School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (SEECS).

The event marks an important milestone in the national semiconductor landscape and puts Pakistan another step ahead on the path toward the realization of Quaid’s vision of self-reliance.

The unique aspect of the project is its completely in-house design as opposed to the common practice of using open-source cores from other sources or foreign collaborations. This makes NTiny-E a truly homegrown product that provides the design team with complete leverage and control over all aspects of the chip.

TSMC Fabrication

NUST selected the world’s largest and leading commercial foundry, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for chip fabrication utilizing the 65nm process node. This demonstrates researchers’ ability to design chips that are compliant with international industrial design and fabrication standards.

NUST team has not limited itself to the design of the chip itself but also developed a complete ecosystem required for chip testing and its incorporation into end products. The printed circuit board for chip testing and prototyping of end systems has also been indigenously developed along with associated software and development tools.

Target Market

This will facilitate researchers and industrial product developers to design and manufacture products based on NTiny-E. The target market for NTiny is embedded systems, IoT devices, consumer electronic products, etc. The domestic nature of the product alleviates concerns related to cyber security and technology denial.

NUST is also developing competent and market-ready human resources for the semiconductor market to address critical shortages through its undergraduate and post-graduate programs. In the backdrop of the global shortage of semiconductor chips and export restrictions, the contributions of NUST researchers will help reduce dependence on foreign imports in the long run.

Design Team

NTiny design and development team was led by Dr. Rehan Ahmed and other team members including Mr. Shaheer Sajid, Mr. Qazi Shahid Ullah, Mr. Abdul Moeed, and Mr. Syed Talha Imam.

Dr. Rehan has over 14 years of design experience in this area and worked at international companies including SIEMENS, Microsoft Research, and Keysight (IXIA). Remarkable contributions of researchers were duly supported and facilitated by top leadership including Rector NUST Engr Javed Mahmood Bukhari, Pro-Rector (Academics) Dr. Osman Hasan, and Pro-Rector (Research, Innovation & Commercialization) Dr. Rizwan Riaz.


  • We need more inclusive culture. No female members are on panel in 2022. This outrageous and down right patriarchy. Qualified or not a woman deserve to be on panel. Also some LGBTQ members too.

    • No body deserves to be on panel unless they contribute to the project. Your observation is crass and promotes undue favorable treatment based on gender alone.

      Less snowflake social activist talk, more practical work and results, please.

    • So women should be a display piece on the panel of she is not qualified. Honestly this kind stupidity makes me think how people like you have survived so far in life. This is life not some stupid hollywood movie where the add a black person just to let black people know that the have representation without any chances of the person to have an impact. Just go and get. a life. please…..

  • Well that is a start
    But why 65nm node that is 20 years old now
    Would have been good if it was a <22nm

    • The cost of this was in the millions of Rupees, and it was a proof of concept. A smaller node would not have taken any more work from the side of the design team, just more cost from the side of the FAB.

    • This is a microprocessor. You don’t need to build high end nodes for most part. This is a start and there will be very small user-base at the start and with later version they can opto for better nodes.

  • Utterly miserable.
    When the world is at 5nm fabrication, we’re getting started with 65nm. I mean seriously.
    Could’ve used a better node that wouldn’t be this much ridiculous. Something like a 14nm or even 22nm would be great.
    It would take us another 100 years to compete with chip giants like Intel or AMD.

    • Those 5nm chips are made by the world’s top companies whose revenue is more than Pakistan’s whole GDP.
      Secondly, those are designed for mobile phones, not other consumer appliances like smart watches etc.
      Lastly, producing on the 65nm framework saves a lot of money, our SMCs have to be cost-competitive if we want to enter this market.

    • Uhh.. you do know that the fabrication happens in Taiwan, and the only thing that would have been needed for smaller process nodes was more cash (which if you have ever worked in a government body, you would know how hard it is to attain). Instead of being a nay-sayer, you are welcome to invest into the cause of making the next iteration better!

    • . Why not contribute either financially or technically and if none is possible for u then pls do not make disheartening comments .

  • NUST design 65nm is pretty terrible, world is already on 5nm chip.. it’s better to import 5nm chip rather then 65nm chip..
    TMC foundry Taiwan is used to create 65nm chip even they produce 65nm chip…

    • bruh. Those 5nm chips are made by the world’s top companies whose revenue is more than Pakistan’s whole GDP.
      Secondly, those are designed for mobile phones, not other consumer appliances like smart watches etc.
      Lastly, producing on the 65nm framework saves a lot of money, our SMCs have to be cost-competitive if we want to enter this market.

  • Another smuggled out drawing in parallel to the so called Dr.Abdul Qadir Khan on Nuke.
    Great pakistani scientists.

    • Mr Shiller Wilson,
      Exactly the way allied countries back in last century have stolen German’s technology after WWII ,lol 😂, grow up man!!! We all are humans we all have similar and equal rights to live a better life and try to give an effort make their own race a better future!!!!!

  • To all those brothers who are crying that they used 65nm process when the world is on 5nm ….. This chip is for small workload and lower systems …. IT IS NOT FOR SMARTPHONES OR COMPUTERS YOU DUMB PEOPLE OF MY COUNTRY!!!

  • NUST is only good in marketing little things as big achievements, not actual research. This chip will likely have no future and is a waste of research grant as hundreds of similar past, present amd future projects.

    • Yes you are right.They try to make people of pakistan fool and do marketing only.Thee take so much fund and do nothing productive work

    • “NUST” is not a person, it is an organisation. The chip was designed by people; students and teachers who worked hard on top of their already stressful routine to do something new and innovative. Your comment gives of the air of someone completely unfamiliar with the academic environment. I pity your urge to ruin other people’s well deserved celebrations; must be a sign that you have never achieved anything worth being proud of!

  • I have watched so many news regarding SC shortages in the past 2-3 years as many car manufacturers weren’t able to produce many cars due to IC shortages. Its Great to see Pakistani engineers also working their way into the huge SC market. ‘Ntiny-E’ For embedded systems and low power system its an achievement.

  • Indeed, a good initiative, they should closely collaborate with Chinese firms who are also struggling to make their own Semiconductors chips to evade US dominance and ill practices caused by US Govt. A good initiative, but needs a lot of young talent.

  • If PK. army 7985 billion budget , only 1/3 move to Education & health of civilians. PK. nation economy build fastly

  • Lol for real if it’s not menufactured in Pakistan then how it’s in house further TSMC 65 nm duh dude world moved to 5 nm why still stuck at older nodes


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