TUMCREATE to Develop Open-Source RISC-V Processor with Integrated Post-Quantum Security
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TUMCREATE to Develop Open-Source RISC-V Processor with Integrated Post-Quantum Security TUMCREATE, the research arm of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) Singapore, has announced its leadership role in the QUASAR-CREATE program. This three-and-a-half-year initiative, “Quantum Security and Resilience for Emerging Technologies,” involves an international consortium including Nanyang Technological University (NTU), the National University of Singapore (NUS), and Fraunhofer@NTU. The program is designed to develop technologies that embed security and resilience into digital systems to address potential quantum-enabled threats. Within the QUASAR-CREATE framework, TUMCREATE leads Thrust 1: Secure Hardware Platform. This project focuses on the development of an open-source, 64-bit RISC-V processor featuring hardware-level protection and integrated quantum-resistant cryptography. The technical objective is to anchor post-quantum security (PQC) directly into the hardware architecture, addressing vulnerabilities in resource-constrained devices that may not be sufficiently protected by software-only solutions. The project plans to fabricate the processor utilizing GlobalFoundries’ 180-nanometer process technology at manufacturing facilities in Singapore. By utilizing a fully open-source chip design and open-source technology, the initiative seeks to establish a transparent and verifiable foundation for digital infrastructure. The hardware foundation includes dedicated post-quantum cryptographic accelerators and trusted execution environments designed to protect system integrity across the entire computing stack. The research integrates hardware and software-level mechanisms to defend against side-channel and physical attacks. Technical components include a secure operating system and PQC accelerators intended to mitigate threats as quantum computing technologies mature. The platform’s utility will be validated through practical use cases, such as FIDO2 authentication tokens, with future research extending to compatibility with quantum key distribution (QKD) technologies. This program aligns with Singapore’s Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2030 (RIE2030) plan, which prioritizes the advancement of semiconductor and quantum-enabled technologies. The collaboration strengthens microelectronics research ties between TUMCREATE and NTU’s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. The initiative is intended to translate scientific research into deployable, future-ready solutions to support trusted digital infrastructures in the quantum era. For technical details regarding the QUASAR-CREATE thrusts and the RISC-V processor implementation, consult the official announcement here. March 21, 2026 Mohamed Abdel-Kareem2026-03-21T17:54:16-07:00 Leave A Comment Cancel replyComment Type in the text displayed above Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.