For the past couple of years, the government of India has been undertaking strenuous efforts to magnetize investments from global tycoons such as Tesla to establish their operations in the country. Taking opportunities of the slowdown in the EV market in key regions like EU and USA, and the geopolitics scuffles with China is expected to make India a key global manufacturing hub in this sector.
If you're after a reliable timing option for your next electronics project, the CD4047 multivibrator IC can provide the solution you need. Whether you need a CD4047 inverter circuit for power conversion or the more accurate CD4047 astable multivibrator circuit used in timing applications, this guide covers it all from the basic CD4047 pin diagram to more sophisticated CD4047 circuit diagrams!
In this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of the CD4047, exploring its functionality and practical applications in an easy-to-understand manner. We'll cover both hardware implementation and Proteus simulation to illustrate its effective use.
Duration: 2-3 hours | Type: Circuit Theory | Difficulty: Beginner-Intermediate
Technical Scope:
Multivibrator circuits, timing calculations
Use Cases:
Inverters, timers, signal generation
The CD4047 is a CMOS-based multivibrator IC that generates precise timing signals in both astable and monostable modes. Key features include:
Before diving into practical CD4047 circuit diagrams, let's understand the CD4047 pin diagram and specifications that make this IC so versatile for both beginners and professionals.
The image above shows the pinout of the CD4047, providing a clear explanation of each pin. Further, the pin description of CD4047 is explained in the table below
Pin No | Pin Name | Description |
1 | C | Used to connect External Capacitor |
2 | R | Used to connect External Resistor |
3 | R-C COMMON | Common Pin for the externally connected Resistor and Capacitor |
4 | A͞S͞T͞A͞B͞L͞E͞ | Used as a Trigger Input, only for the Complement Gating Function, OtherWise kept HIGH |
5 | ASTABLE | Used as a Trigger Input for Astable Modes, otherwise kept LOW |
6 | -TRIGGER | Used as a Trigger Input, Only for Negative Edge Trigger Mode, Otherwise kept LOW in the case of Monostable Functions or HIGH in the case of Astable Functions |
7 | VSS | Negative Supply Voltage |
8 | TRIGGER | Used as a Trigger Input for Monostable Modes, Otherwise Kept LOW |
9 | EXTERNAL RESET | A Positive Pulse Resets the Q and Q̅ State to LOW and HIGH Respectively |
10 | Q | Output |
11 | Q̅ | Inverted Output |
12 | RETRIGGER | Used as a Trigger Input For Retriggerable Function, else kept LOW. |
13 | OSC OUT | Oscillator Output |
14 | VDD | Positive Supply Voltage |
The table below presents some quick specifications that you should be aware of. Let's discuss them briefly! These specifications are essential to designing dependable CD4047 circuits. Keep in mind the voltage limits and range of component values when designing your CD4047 inverter circuit or any timing applications.
|
| Limits | Limits | Limits |
|
Parameter | Symbol | Min | Typ | Max | Unit |
DC Supply Voltage Range | VDD | 3 | 15 | 20 | v |
Operating Current | IDD | - | 2 | 200 | µA |
Input Voltage High (VDD = 5V, VOH > 4.5V, VOL < 0.5V) | VIH | 3.5 | - | - | v |
Input Voltage Low (VDD = 5V, VOH > 4.5V, VOL < 0.5V) | VIL | - | - | 1.5 | v |
Input Voltage High (VDD = 15V, VOH > 13.5V, VOL < 1.5V) | VIH | 11 | - | - | v |
Input Voltage Low (VDD = 15V, VOH > 13.5V, VOL < 1.5V) | VIL | - | - | 4 | v |
DC Input Current, All Inputs | - | - | ± 10 | - | mA |
Operating Temperature | TA | -55 | - | 125 | °C |
Storage Temperature | TSTG | -65 |
| 150 | °C |
Lead Temperature During Soldering | - | - | - | 265 | °C |
Firstly, take note of the Operating Voltage. This IC can operate with a minimum voltage of 3V and a maximum of 20V. However, for optimal stability in terms of power dissipation and oscillating frequencies, recommended operating voltages are 5V, 10V, and 15V. Regarding Current Consumption, since this IC is designed for low-power operation, it typically ranges from 2µA to a maximum of 200µA.
Next, let's consider Input and Output Voltages, which depend on VDD and VCC. For instance, with a supply voltage of 5V, a voltage below 0.5V is considered LOGIC LOW, while a voltage between 0.5V and 4.5V (or up to VDD) is considered LOGIC HIGH.
Unlike some other ICs, this IC is available in various variants with different Operating Temperatures to suit specific needs. Choose the variant that best fits your requirements. The top variant operates at a temperature of around 125°C. When soldering, be cautious not to overheat the IC's leads beyond 265°C to prevent internal damage. For more detailed information, refer to the official datasheets available online.
Now that you understand the CD4047 pin diagram, let's explore how different pin configurations create various operating modes. These CD4047 circuit diagram variations enable astable, monostable, and specialised timing functions.
The CD4047 primarily offers two main functions: Astable Multivibrator and Monostable Multivibrator. Within these functions, there are 3 modes for Astable operation and 4 modes for Monostable operation, as shown in the image below:
You might be wondering about how to switch between these modes. Don’t panic—switching between these modes is made simple using the table below
| TERMINAL CONNECTIONS | TERMINAL CONNECTIONS | TERMINAL CONNECTIONS |
|
FUNCTION | TO VDD (+ve) | TO VSS (-ve) | INPUT | PULSE OUTPUT |
ASTABLE MULTIVIBRATOR |
|
|
|
|
Free Running | 4, 5, 6, 14 | 7, 8, 9, 12 | - | 10, 11, 13 |
True Gating | 4, 6, 14 | 7, 8, 9, 12 | 5 | 10, 11, 13 |
Complement Gating | 6, 14 | 5, 7, 8, 9, 12 | 4 | 10, 11, 13 |
MONOSTABLE MULTIVIBRATOR |
|
|
|
|
Positive Edge Trigger | 4, 14 | 5, 6,7, 9, 12 | 8 | 10, 11 |
Negative Edge Trigger | 4, 8, 14 | 5,7, 9, 12 | 6 | 10, 11 |
Retriggerable | 4, 14 | 5, 6, 7, 9 | 8, 12 | 10, 11 |
External Countdown | 14 | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12 | - | 10, 11 |
By following the terminal connection table provided above, you can easily set the respective modes. The external capacitor and resistor pins remain the same for every mode; only their values might change according to specific needs.
Regarding the outputs, there are three pins: Q, Q̅ (Q-bar), and Oscillator Out. Q is the main output, Q̅ is the complement output of Q, and Oscillator Out is a direct output from the Astable Multivibrator block of the IC. The Q and Q̅ outputs come from the frequency divider block, which divides the frequency by two.
Let's delve into the modes of operation of the CD4047, starting with the Astable Multivibrator mode. Among the available three modes (Astable, Monostable, and Bistable), we will begin with a detailed explanation of the Astable Multivibrator mode. We'll cover Free Running mode briefly and discuss its stimulation.
Following that, we'll explore the Monostable Multivibrator mode, which offers four distinct modes. In particular, we will focus more on the Positive Edge Trigger mode within the Monostable Multivibrator configuration, providing a deeper understanding of its operation and applications.
The CD4047 astable multivibrator circuit is perfect for continuous square wave generation. Regardless of assembling a CD4047 inverter circuit or requiring accurate timing signals, these circuits ensure astable oscillation.
In simple terms, an Astable Multivibrator is a circuit that generates a continuous output oscillating between two states, typically producing a square wave (Q) as shown in the figure below.
This square wave finds numerous applications in digital electronics. The below gifs show the CD4047 working in Astable mode. We have used an LED to provide a visible Output of the generated continuous square wave. You can notice that the LED turns on when the square wave is high and turns off when the wave is low. Here, the Q was the Square wave generated by the 10th Pin, and that's where the LED is connected. OSC is the Oscillator Output, which was not used in the above setup.
As previously mentioned, the CD4047 offers 3 modes within astable operation. Let's discuss each mode separately in detail
In Free Running Mode, a series of square waves is continuously generated whenever the system is powered up. In this mode, we can adjust the frequency of the oscillated output while the circuit operates autonomously.
The above circuit diagram depicts the Free Running mode configuration of the CD4047 IC. Here's a breakdown of the connections:
For simulation purposes, an oscilloscope is connected to Pins 10 (Q output), 11 (Q̅ output), and 13 (OSC output) to observe the waveform outputs and timing characteristics of the CD4047 in Free Running Mode. This setup allows for visualising the oscillation behaviour and waveform generation of the circuit.
CD4047 Frequency Calculator: Getting Timing Formulas Right. Correct timing calculation is important for effective CD4047 circuit design. You can use these formulas with our recommended component values to get accurate frequencies in your projects.
This part of the calculation remains the same for all the Modes in the Astable Multivibrator
The timing (tA) is calculated using the formula:
tA = 4.40 x R x C
For example, using a chosen capacitor of 10µF and a resistor of 22KΩ:
tA = 4.40 x 22K x 10µF
= 0.968 sec
So, approximately, it can be considered as 1 second. Remember, tA represents the timing of the full cycle. To determine the half-cycle time, simply divide tA by two.
The ideal waveform was provided above for your reference. There is no Trigger Signal, as powering up the circuit itself starts the oscillator. Here, Q was the actual output, and Q̅ was the Inverted Output. OSC was the internal Astable oscillator’s direct output. So, technically, the Q and Q̅ were the output from the internal frequency divider, which divides the frequency by two. These square waves are generated continuously at the predefined frequency with the help of R and C.
As per the circuit diagram of Free Running mode explained above, the circuit was replicated in Proteus for stimulating the CD4047 in Free Running Astable Multivibrator Mode.
The above was the simulation result of a free-running astable multivibrator. Here, the expected pulse interval was calculated as tA = 4.40 × 10 µF × 22 kΩ = 0.968 seconds. However, in the simulation above, we obtained a result closer to 1.1 seconds, which was quite acceptable. We also created a prototype on a breadboard and achieved the expected result.
However, it's important to note that in the real world, there are many factors that can affect timing. Therefore, fine-tuning your circuit to achieve a precise frequency can be quite challenging!
As in the free running mode, a series of square waves are generated, but with the condition that it requires a trigger signal.
The above circuit diagram of the True Gating Mode configuration of the CD4047 IC. Here's a breakdown of the connections:
The square waves are produced only when the Trigger pin is kept HIGH. If the Trigger pin is LOW, the oscillator remains turned OFF. You can see this in the above Ideal Graph. Here, if the pulse width of the Trigger input was lower than tA, the Output will be held ON for the first cycle of Oscillations as shown above.
Complement Gating is similar to True Gating, as the name implies. In Complement Gating, the oscillator is turned on by an active LOW signal and turned off by an active HIGH signal. To achieve this operation, a slight change in the circuit connection is required.
The circuit was the same as the true astable gating, but with only one difference. Here, the 4th pin ( A͞S͞T͞A͞B͞L͞E͞ ) served as the trigger input. This pin was connected to ground via a push button and pulled up via a 10 kΩ resistor. So, the 5th Pin, along with Pins 8, 9, 12, was Connected to the Negative Power Supply (GND or Ground)
Like the circuit, the above ideal graph was very similar, with only one difference: the trigger signal appears inverted.
So with this, we are completing the Astable Multivibrator modes. Next, let's explore the Monostable Multivibrator and its modes.
While astable circuits continuously oscillate, CD4047 monostable circuits offer single-shot timing with high precision. These timer arrangements are perfect for delay circuits, pulse stretching, and time-controlled circuits.
As the name implies, the Monostable function has only one stable state, which changes to an unstable state when an external trigger is applied. After a fixed period, it returns to the original stable state. This functionality is commonly used as a timer in various applications. While modern microcontrollers are more capable than this simple IC, the CD4047 excels in speed, efficiency, reliability, and cost for specific tasks.
The following GIF demonstrates the CD4047 operating in Monostable Multivibrator Mode. In this setup, a push button is used to trigger the timer, and an LED is used to indicate the output visually.
Below is a graph representing the basic output waveforms of the Monostable Multivibrator. The TRIG waveform is generated when pressing the push button, and the Q waveform represents the output from the 10th Pin (Q), where the LED is connected.
Next, let's begin with an introduction to the calculation part of the Monostable Multivibrator.
This part of the calculation remains the same for all modes in the Monostable Multivibrator.
The timing (tM) is calculated using the formula:
tM = 2.48 x R x C
For example, using a chosen capacitor of 1000µF and a resistor of 400Ω:
tM = 2.48 x 400 x 1000µF
= 0.992 sec
So, approximately, it can be considered as 1 second.
Now, let's delve into the operating modes of the Monostable Multivibrator, starting from the Positive Edge Trigger Mode.
The Positive Edge Trigger is simpler to understand in its basic operation as a timer. When the trigger push button is pressed, the output is held high for a specific amount of time and then pulled low. This is the primary application of this configuration.
The above circuit diagram depicts the Positive Edge Trigger Mode configuration of the CD4047 IC. Here's a breakdown of the connections:
For simulation purposes, an oscilloscope is connected to Pins 8 (+TRIGGER), 10 (Q output), 11 (Q̅ output), and 13 (OSC output) to observe the waveform outputs and timing characteristics of the CD4047 in Positive Edge Trigger Mode.
While the resulting waveform may resemble that of a true gating astable multivibrator, the key distinction lies in the trigger mechanism. In a monostable multivibrator, if the trigger is pressed continuously for an extended interval, the output is driven high for a fixed duration and then automatically turned off. Conversely, in true gating mode, the output remains continuously high as long as the trigger input is maintained in a high state.
Here, the Trigger pulse is responsible for Switching ON and OFF the Internal Oscillator.
The circuit diagram for the Positive Edge Trigger mode was replicated in Proteus for simulation. As you know, a push button connected to the 8th pin of the CD4047 served as the trigger input, and an LED connected to the 10th pin (Q) of the CD4047 was used as the output indicator. One important thing to remember is that if you want to visually observe the output via the LED, ensure that the calculated pulse width is at least greater than 300 ms; otherwise, it will be too fast to notice.
The above was the simulation of a Positive Edge Trigger Monostable Multivibrator. We also created a prototype on a breadboard and achieved the expected result.
Please note that there will be slight differences between simulation and real-world prototypes due to factors such as component tolerances. Therefore, you may need an oscilloscope or frequency measuring device to fine-tune the output pulse width. Use potentiometers instead of fixed resistors for easier tuning. Once tuning is completed, you can replace the potentiometer with a static resistor by measuring the actual resistance in the potentiometer.
It is similar to the positive edge trigger, but in this case, the system is activated by an active LOW signal, which initiates a delay in the circuit.
To enable Negative Edge Trigger Mode, connect the trigger input to the 6th Pin (-Trigger) with a pull-up configuration, and connect the 8th Pin (+TRIGGER) to the positive supply voltage (5V). The rest of the circuit remains the same as in the Positive Edge Trigger Mode.
This graph was similar to Positive Edge Trigger mode, as the functions are essentially the same except for the inverted trigger input. You may notice that there was only one rising edge in the oscillator output because after one cycle, the internal astable oscillator was turned off.
This mode is particularly special because it can be utilised to extend the duration of the output pulse. Additionally, it can be employed to compare the frequency of an input signal with that of the internal oscillator.
In this setup, the connection is similar to a positive edge trigger with one modification: the 12th Pin (RETRIGGER) is combined with the 8th Pin (+TRIGGER), meaning both pins receive the same input pulse simultaneously. Therefore, there is no need for individual pull-down resistors. A common pull-down and a common push-button input are sufficient.
The above graph depicts the ideal behaviour for the Retriggerable Mode. In this mode, there is a feature that allows increasing the pulse width by using multiple trigger pulses. From the graph, it's evident that if the push button is pressed once, the pulse interval is 1tRE. If pressed twice, it's 2tRE, and so on. With continuous pressing, the output pulse will remain on indefinitely.
Unlike others, the Retriggerable Mode has a separate calculation, which will be discussed below.
It is the same as the main formula tM = 2.48 x R x C, with slight modifications due to the introduction of a new variable n representing the number of input pulses.
So, the time delay of a retriggerable monostable multivibrator (tRE) can be defined as follows:
tRE = (2.48 x R x C) x n
For example, using a chosen capacitor of 1000µF and a resistor of 400Ω and considering a two-pulse input,
tRE = (2.48 x 400 x 1000µF) x 2
= 1.984 sec
So, approximately, it can be considered as 2 seconds.
This mode is considered to be an additional feature that requires an external IC to serve as the trigger input signal. It is somewhat similar to the Retriggerable mode, but instead of using a simple push button, an external digital signal is utilised.
The External Counter option enables extending the time duration of the output pulse beyond the intrinsic limits of the CD4047. By utilising an additional counter IC in combination with the CD4047, precise digital control over the output pulse duration can be achieved. This method enhances flexibility and accuracy in pulse timing applications.
Due to its unique ability, it has a distinct calculation method, which will be discussed below.
Here, the formula for calculating the pulse duration (tEC) looks like this,
tEC= (N - 1) (tA) + (tM + tA/2)
Where,
tEC - Pulse width of External Counter Mode
N - Number of Counts Set by the External Counter Circuitry
tA - period of the Internal Oscillator
tM– Desired period
(N-1) x tA -> Represent the total time taken for N cycles of the internal oscillator.
(tM + tA /2) -> Represents the additional time extended by the external circuitry
Finally, let's move on to our last topic, which covers limitations of timing components, including the range of values for R (resistors) and C (capacitors) that can be utilised, and more.
Capacitance (C):
Resistance (R):
Below are some of the Projects that you can try with CD4047:
1) Square Wave Generator Circuit using 4047 IC
Know how to generate a square wave using the CD4047's Astable Mode of operation, and as a bonus, learn how to convert the produced square wave to a sine wave.
2) 12v DC to 220v AC Inverter Circuit
Learn to create a simple inverter that converts 12V DC to 220V AC using CD4047 and a couple of MOSFETs.
⇥ What is the CD4047 IC used for?
CD4047 is a CMOS-based multivibrator IC used for generating precise timing signals, square wave generation, inverter circuits, electronic ballasts, and timer applications in both astable and monostable configurations.
⇥ How do you find the frequency for a CD4047?
For Astable Mode, f = 1/(4.40 × R × C). For Monostable Mode, t = 2.48 × R × C. Using recommended values, R should be 10kΩ-1MΩ, and C can be 100pF (astable) or 1000pF (monostable).
⇥ What is the pin configuration of CD4047?
The CD4047 has 14 pins, VDD(14), VSS(7), C(1), R(2), R-C Common(3), Q(10), Q̅(11), OSC OUT(13), TRIGGER(8), -TRIGGER(6), ASTABLE(5), ASTABLE̅(4), RETRIGGER(12), EXTERNAL RESET(9).
⇥ Will a CD4047 work as an inverter?
Yes, the CD4047 is capable of producing square waves at the inverter circuit inputs. CD4047 in astable mode generates continuous oscillation, and the square waves can be utilised to drive transformers or MOSFETs to convert the DC voltage to AC voltage.
⇥ What is the distinction between astable mode and monostable mode in CD4047?
When in astable mode, the circuit goes on oscillating between two states, like high voltage and low voltage, producing square waves. Monostable mode, however, possesses one stable state and is switched to an unstable state for a predetermined time duration, and then comes back to the stable state.
⇥ What are the restrictions on the operating voltage of CD4047?
CD4047 works from a minimum of 3V to a maximum of 20V. CD4047 works mostly at voltages of 5V, 10V, and 15V for the best stable output. The amount of current drawn goes from a minimum of 2uA (microamp) to a maximum of 200uA (microamp).
Advance your skills with a deeper dive into analog signal generation and waveform control. These related projects walk you through designing classic multivibrators and waveform generator circuits using op-amps.
Astable Multivibrator Circuit Using Op-amp
In this project, we are going to build a simple Astable Multivibrator using Op-amp, and we will look at all the necessary calculations to find out the period hence we can calculate the frequency and duty cycle of the circuit.
Sawtooth Waveform Generator Circuit
In this tutorial we will show you, how to design a sawtooth wave generator circuit with adjustable gain and DC offset of the wave, using Op-amp and 555 timer IC.
Simple Sine Wave Generator Circuit using Transistor
In this circuit we will also build that alternating waveform, we can adjust the frequency or reduce the noise of the sine wave just by varying the value of capacitors and resistors.
Over the past few years, the world has witnessed a surge in demand for video surveillance and smart security cameras. Although USA and China still grab the top spot of market share in this industry, experts opine that India has the potential to become the second largest market by 2030. CCTV cameras have become an important part of our lives revolutionizing the way we monitor and secure our surroundings. According to a report by Sparsh CCTV, the roots of CCTV cameras can be traced back to the 1940s when German engineer Walter Bruch developed a rudimentary system for monitoring V-2 rockets. However, it was during the 1960s that CCTV technology truly began to flourish. Early systems utilized analog signals, transmitting footage over coaxial cables to limited monitors in control rooms.
Now, with the advancement of technology and rapid increase of crimes, these devices have gained a huge traction all over the world. India's Electronic Security Market was valued at USD 1.32 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 4.90 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 24.37 percent over the forecast period. The security products industry is growing rapidly and is estimated to escalate by 22 percent per annum, which will sustain by 2025 and beyond. India is emerging as a global power and security is emerging as a priority. We need to ensure India must grow by itself and must be a source of prosperity for the rest of the world. The size of the global security electronics market is intense and valued at US $41 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach US $68 billion by 2026 at a CAGR of 9 percent from 2021-2026.
In an effort to bolster the growth of CCTV and surveillance market in India, the government of India in a recently issued advisory has highlighted the danger of data leakage through CCTVs. Various ministries and associated departments were urged through this advisory that security and added products will not be purchased from brands that are having a long history of security breaches and data leakage. The advisory has been issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), which has requested all its departments to strictly abide by the guidelines of Public Procurement Order (PPO), which was unleashed on March 6, 2024.
Recently, in the “4th Electronics Supply Chain Summit” organized by industry body ELCINA, key CCTV manufacturers, government officials and defense personnel discussed the key strategies to boost the surveillance industry and also the emerging opportunities for security products industry in heightened risk scenarios. In the detailed discussion, let’s find out country’ surveillance electronics industry has grown over the years and how its growth will be boosted in the global value chain.
Atul Lal, CEO, Dixon Technologies and President at ELCINA
The global CCTV surveillance industry is going through a significant transformation, which is like a renaissance. The positive impact in this industry is happening because of a huge technological change and there is a vast security challenge globally as well as in India. There is a significant intervention by the government mostly in the policy framework and also huge initiatives have been undertaken to grow Make-in-India. The global CCTV market is around 2 lakh crores, growing at a rate of 17 percent and is expected to reach more than 100 billion dollars.
The domestic market is growing but it’s most dependent on other countries for crucial electronic components, but it is expected to touch almost 10 billion dollars in the coming years at a CAGR of around 20 percent. This kind of wide adoption of CCTVs has happened because of rapid urbanization, smart city projects, development of various transportation sectors as well as roadways. Crime rates have been increasing. For instance, in Delhi in the month of February, around 4 lakh cases have been registered. The honorable supreme court intervened and strictly instructed all the police stations to have top-notch video surveillance systems. More than 10,000 CCTVs have been installed in the police stations in Bihar alone. The industry is in a very high growth phase. What is extremely important is that MeitY has seriously unleashed the policies like the PPO of 6th of March clearly, which clearly states that preference will be given to the Indian solutions. The initial shift might be tightly slow, but the penetration rate will be high and there will be more Indian solutions involved. In the PPO order it is stated that the CCTV cameras and the related products and equipment will be certified by MeitY.
Sanjeev Sehgal, managing director, Sparsh (Samriddhi Automations Pvt. Ltd.)
The Indian government has come up very intelligently with all the policies and frameworks to boost the CCTV security industry in the country. The policy has been created in such a manner that we are able to restrict data leakage and security breach. The government has truly taken a giant leap in this sector. The PPO, which was announced on 6th of March, is going to secure and grow every security equipment, not only CCTVs. You have to manufacture and produce products domestically or else you cannot get any benefits out of this policy. It covers cybersecurity sector as well. Whether it’s a private or government agency, everyone is worried about data security. The video surveillance equipments are now part and parcel of our lives. If the Indian domestic industry benefits from this policy and aligns themselves with the vision of the government and MeitY, there is definitely a big way forward for the industry not only for India but also for the world. India has the opportunity to become a CCTV factory for the world. The industry is fully committed to design products in India and fulfill the vision of the government.
Aditya Khemka, managing director of CP PLUS
First of all I must say that associations like ELCINA is doing a great job in bringing the manufacturers and the government together because unless all the stakeholders work together there is no possibility to grow the industry. Now speaking of the industry, the volume of CCTV units which gets sold in the world is about 600 million devices. There are about 16 Crores of CCTV cameras, which get deployed globally. India has just about five percent of the market share, which is 25 percent less than China and USA. I personally believe that India has the potential to become the second largest market in the world by 2030.
As population and prosperity metric grow, the demand for the security devices increases vice versa. The sector has tremendous potential for job creation both indirectly and directly. We have to take opportunities from the geopolitical changes. We must understand that our goal is not just to cater to India but to increase exports as well. India has the potential to become a trusted and reliable partner in this ecosystem. The policies have incentivized domestic production and local manufacturing and also boosted R&D and innovation. The government has given Indian entrepreneurs the confidence to move beyond the comfort zones and the fulfill the dream of Aatmanirbhar bharat.
Asif Jalal, IPS, IG, (Communication & IT) BSF
In India, every state has a different geography and a different terrain, and it becomes a huge challenge for the security personnel to protect the border. People across the borders are constantly improving new technologies to breach our security modules and soldiers who are guarding the fence. They send explosive devices, illegal guns, and other narcotic devices. Another challenge we face seriously with electronic devices such as drones, which comes to our areas and captures all secretive information. It becomes very difficult to detect due to lack of technology. During the fog, it becomes more difficult to identify it and this is where CCTV cameras play an important role in the entire area. We require more modern surveillance and cameras that can detect the flaws easily.
Dr. Anand Prakash Maheshwari, Fmr. IPS, Spl Secretary (Internal Security) MHA
Speaking of national development and security, companies in India are working closely to provide solutions at best. Security and development go hand in hand. The whole security scenario is changing all over the world. Speaking of the technology front, threats are increasing, and power metrics are changing. In the last five years, search engines, crucial components like semiconductors, IoT and AI are also risking cybersecurity and breaches along with development. These technological advancements bring more concerns about the security aspects. Every development comes at some costs. Social networking controls our behavior patterns. Technologies these days are not isolated but rather integrated and electronics is now an important part of whatever we are doing in life. Even in the security sector, electronic components are the crucial element and we will definitely find out ways to grow the components manufacturing sector.
Nowadays, many people are turning towards green solutions to lead healthier lives. Efforts are being made to grow plants, which contribute to maintaining the stability of nature. The key challenge in growing plants is maintenance, particularly ensuring they receive adequate watering. Despite our best intentions, we may forget to water our plants at times. To address this, we have developed a very simple automatic plant watering system without Arduino. The idea is to use minimal components and reduce complexity so that everyone can easily build it. It's an ideal option for anyone who is trying to automatically water their potted plants during a vacation
Let’s see, how we can do that!
Based on commonly used BC547.
Easy to build.
No need for coding.
Low-cost design.
Easy availability of components.
Has a built-in adjustable delay function.
Required Components are listed below to build the simple Automatic plant watering system,
Soil Moisture Sensor - x1
BC547 - x3
Electrolytic Capacitor - 680uf - x1
Resistor -
○ 10k-x1
○ 1k-x1
○ 500E-x1
100k Ohm Potentiometer - x1
Bread Board - x1
Mini Water Pump (3-6v) - x1
Mini Water Tube suitable for pump- Required Length.
5V Power Source - Any
Below is the circuit diagram of the Automatic plant watering system, as you can see this circuit diagram was so simple and beginner-friendly. If you are not comfortable using components like transistors and resistors you can try check out our alternate project which uses Arduino for Automatic Plan watering system.
Here, the soil moisture sensor is the main component to detect the presence of water in the soil. You can visit our Well written article to learn how the soil moisture sensor works. You may think that with the addition of a single transistor to switch the motor, our circuit can be completed, but yeh here are still two transistors used. It looks simple at the beginning but if you think carefully there is the problem that if the motor is turned on for a very short duration it might trigger the motor more often and there will be a need for proper watering of the plant.
So, to solve this issue we are utilizing the simplest timer circuit known as RC Timer Which can be seen below. Depending on the value of the resistor and capacitor we can make the time delay of up to a few seconds. As an advantage, we added a potentiometer to make this time delay adjustable.
Next, you can understand that the Transistor Q1 is used to discharge the capacitor whenever the HIGH signal is received from the Soil Moisture sensor. The output from the RC Timer is Connected to the Q2, which here works as an inverter. So therefore, I am using Q3 to drive the motor.
You may confuse that Q2 itself can drive the motor instead of being an inverter. Yeah, of course, it can be used to drive a motor if your sensor provides Low for Dryness. But Most of the sensors out there will provide High for Dryness and Low for Wetness. You can refer to the table provided below for a brief understanding.
| Sensor Input | Sensor Output | Inverter Requirement | Expected Water Pump State |
| Wetness | HIGH | YES | OFF |
| Wetness | LOW | NO | OFF |
| Dryness | LOW | YES | ON |
| Dryness | HIGH | NO | ON |
To make this simple our preference is to make use of breadboard. If you think to make it more stable you can also solder it to a Dotted PCB and keep it in any small enclosure. You can see the assembled image of the components, made in the breadboard below. We Increased the length of the Wire given in the water Pump and talking about the pump I appreciate you checking the perfectness of the waterproofing of the motor, if not make a proper seal by yourself using some sort of gum or even hot glue works well.
And the main thing we need to discuss here is Power supply. This circuit was made in a way to accept 5V DC input. There are numerous ways to power this circuit like using DC Power Adapters, Mobile chargers, Power banks, etc. I am using a Micro USB Breakout Module to power up the circuit using a USB Cable Connected with the power bank, which can be seen below.
Ensure that the Proper Connections are made between the components and then we can start the installation.
I selected a small indoor plant pot and installed the humidity sensor along with the tube from the water pump, and the water pump itself was placed in the bottle with the big mouth so that the motor could be installed straightaway. The remaining circuit was placed near the pot and powered by the power bank. This Setup can be seen below.
Let's simulate the Automatic Plant Watering System using TinkerCad before moving on to a real-time working demonstration. Below, you can access the TinkerCad simulation for the Automatic Plant Watering System:
In the simulation, you'll notice that the working logic appears inverted. This is due to the sensor available in TinkerCad providing an inverted output. However, apart from this inversion, the overall logic and components remain the same.
As already discussed, this project works by detecting dryness in the soil using a soil moisture sensor and switching ON the mini water pump by now the water starts flowing from the water storage to the Flowerpot and will be turned OFF after a certain amount of delay set via potentiometer once it detects wetness inside the pot. The below video shows how this automatic watering system for potted plants works.
That’s all, we completed our Project.
Here are some hacks you can do in this automatic plant waterer project.
You can change the Q3-BC547_General Purpose NPN Transistor to some other NPN transistor to increase the current capacity to drive the higher power motors.
C1 can be changed as per your need. Using the trial-and-error method, you can find the most suitable one.
You can use a battery system consisting of a Single Li-ion cell, a DC-DC Boost Converter, Battery Charging, and a Protection Circuit to make this project portable.
Apart from this concept of an Automatic Plant Watering system, this circuit has many scopes.
If you are interested in building more such projects check out our collection of Arduino Projects. We have more than 500 projects with Code and Circuit Diagram that you can use to build your projects today.
1. How Does a Soil Moisture Sensor Work and How to use it with Arduino?: Curious about soil moisture sensors? This article explains how they work and shows you how to use them with Arduino.
2. Simple Soil Moisture Detector Circuit: Build your own soil moisture sensor with an easy-to-follow circuit.
3. Arduino-based Automatic Plant Irrigation System with Message Alert: Learn to create an automatic plant watering system using Arduino and get text message alerts using the Sim800l module. You'll also set up a 16x2 LCD display for feedback.
4. Low Power IoT Based Compact Soil Moisture Monitoring Device: Make your own battery-powered smart soil moisture sensor using IoT technology, focusing on the ESP8266 module as the main controller.
5. Arduino Smart Irrigation System Using ESP32 and Blynk App: Explore a smart irrigation setup with Arduino and ESP32. This project goes beyond soil moisture sensing, incorporating water level, humidity, and temperature sensors. Discover how to use IoT features with Blynk.
Arduino projects have gained immense popularity among both seasoned makers and beginners due to their ability to blend innovation and fun. Whether you have years of experience or are just starting out, Arduino offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to get started. Additionally, the vast community support surrounding Arduino ensures that you will never be alone in your journey. From online forums to tutorial videos, there are plenty of resources available to help you along the way.
One of the most exciting aspects of Arduino projects is the endless possibilities they offer. Whether you are interested in robotics, home automation systems, or interactive art installations, Arduino provides the tools and resources you need to bring your ideas to life. The flexibility of Arduino allows for customization and creativity, enabling you to tailor your projects to suit your specific needs and interests.
In this article, we will take you on a journey through captivating Arduino projects in robotics. These projects are not only designed to inspire and educate, but they also showcase the incredible potential of Arduino in the field of robotics. From simple obstacle avoidance robots to more complex autonomous drones, these projects demonstrate the power of Arduino in creating intelligent and interactive machines.
Whether you are a student looking to expand your knowledge, an engineer seeking to enhance your skills, or simply someone who enjoys tinkering with technology, Arduino projects offer a world of opportunities. With its user-friendly interface and vast community support, Arduino is the perfect platform for turning your imagination into reality. So why wait? Start exploring Arduino projects today and embark on a journey of innovation and fun.
The Obstacle Avoiding Car project is an exciting entry into the world of robotics. By utilizing ultrasonic sensors, this project allows beginners to learn how to build a car that can detect obstacles and maneuver around them independently. It serves as an excellent introduction to Arduino and robotics, making it the perfect choice for individuals who are interested in exploring sensor integration and autonomous navigation.
With step-by-step instructions and a complete video tutorial, this project provides all the guidance needed to successfully create an obstacle avoiding car using Arduino.
On the other hand, the Smart Vacuum Cleaning Robot project offers a convenient solution to manual floor cleaning. Powered by Arduino, this robotic vacuum cleaner eliminates the need for human intervention by intelligently navigating through the space and cleaning efficiently. Equipped with sensors and smart algorithms, it can detect obstacles and adjust its path, accordingly, ensuring a thorough cleaning experience.
This project showcases the potential of Arduino in creating advanced home automation devices and provides a hands-on opportunity to learn about programming, electronics, and robotics.
Upgrade your home security with the Web-Controlled Raspberry Pi Surveillance Robot. This project is a combination of Raspberry Pi and Arduino, which allows you to monitor your home remotely through a user-friendly web interface. With this sophisticated yet accessible DIY solution, you can enhance your home surveillance and have peace of mind knowing that your home is secure no matter where you are.
The Raspberry Pi Surveillance Robot offers advanced features such as live video streaming, motion detection, and even the ability to control the robot's movements from your smartphone or computer. This innovative technology provides a convenient and effective way to protect your home and loved ones.
In the kitchen, automation is becoming increasingly popular, and the Automelette cooking robot is a perfect example of this. By utilizing the Arduino platform, this robot chef is designed to prepare omelets with precision and efficiency. With the Automelette cooking robot, you can say goodbye to the hassle of flipping omelets and worrying about overcooking or undercooking them.
This innovative device takes care of all the cooking steps, from cracking the eggs to whisking them to perfection, and even flipping the omelet at just the right moment. With its articulated arm and precise controls, the Automelette ensures consistent results every time. Whether you're a professional chef or just someone who enjoys cooking at home, this automated cooking robot can revolutionize your culinary experience by saving time and effort while delivering delicious omelets on demand.
The PCA9685 Multiple Servo Control project is an excellent opportunity to elevate your robotics skills and take them to new heights. By learning how to simultaneously control multiple servos, you'll open up a world of possibilities in robotics design and implementation.
This project allows you to explore complex robotic movements and master precise control mechanisms, giving you a comprehensive understanding of servo motor control. Whether you're a beginner looking to expand your knowledge or an experienced hobbyist seeking a new challenge, this project offers a deep dive into the exciting world of robotics.
The Mars Rover Robot project offers an exciting opportunity to embark on a simulated Martian exploration mission. Inspired by NASA's exploration rovers, this DIY rover showcases the potential of Arduino in space exploration. By building and programming your own Mars rover, you'll gain hands-on experience in designing and operating robotic vehicles for extraterrestrial missions.
This project is not only engaging but also highly educational, allowing you to learn about the challenges and complexities of exploring other planets. As you navigate the simulated Martian terrain, you'll develop important skills in robotics, programming, and problem-solving.
The Arduino Color Sorter Machine project showcases the immense power of industrial automation. With the integration of TCS3200 color sensor technology, this machine is able to accurately sort objects based on their color, making it a valuable tool for a variety of industrial applications. By automating the sorting process, businesses can significantly increase their efficiency and productivity.
The Arduino Color Sorter Machine is a practical solution that highlights the capabilities of Arduino in streamlining processes and improving overall operational efficiency. Whether it's in manufacturing, logistics, or quality control, this project demonstrates the potential of industrial automation to revolutionize various industries.
Another exciting project that allows users to interact with robotics in a fun and engaging way is the Bluetooth Biped Bob Robot. This friendly biped robot is designed to respond to commands from a smartphone via Bluetooth communication. With its interactive features, the Bluetooth Biped Bob Robot offers an immersive experience that combines technology and entertainment. Users can control the robot's movements, engage in simple tasks, and even play games with it. This project not only showcases the capabilities of Bluetooth technology but also emphasizes the potential of robotics in enhancing our daily lives.
Whether you're a seasoned maker or just starting out, there's something truly exciting about taking a collection of simple components and turning them into something amazing. And that's exactly what Arduino projects allow you to do. You'll learn new skills, gain a deeper understanding of electronics and programming, and have a lot of fun along the way.
So, gather your components, fire up your creativity, and let's embark on this journey together. Get ready to be amazed at what you can create with Arduino. The only limit is your own imagination!
It was in January 2024, when Neuralink Corp. a company by Elon musk implanted its first brain chip called “Telepathy” in a 29-year-old accident victim to help him regain control of his paralyzed limbs. While this technology could actually help humans achieve a cyborg status it is far away from being available as of today
But the same cannot be said for RFID chip implants. The procedure of inserting a tiny RFID chip capsule in-between your thumb and index finger is getting to increase popular among tech enthusiasts. There are nearly more than 6000 people in Sweden who have had a chip insert already and is also catching up into other courtiers like Germany which also has more than 2000 chip implants done already
We decided to cover an article on RFID chip implants when we noticed that RFID chip implants are also catching up in India, and there are people who have already received an implant in India. The article aims to answer the most basic questions like how does this tech work? How does it affect daily life? Is it legal? Is it medically safe? Etc.
RFID technology is not new; in fact, most of us have experienced it in one way or another. RFID access cards are very popular in corporate offices to provide access to employees, RFID tags are popular in dress shops to prevent shoplifting, and there are even RFID key fobs that can lock or unlock your vehicle. So yes, we all have been using RFID in one form or another.
The idea of RFID chip implants is to extend the same technology as a biological chip implant. Instead of you having to carry different cards for digital access, you can implant an RFID tag, and this tag carrying your personal identification can be used to unlock doors, turn on your car, or even make payments. Sounds like a tech from the future, right? Except it's not, RFID chip implants are currently being used in pets and cattle to track them, but in recent days, there is a huge community of people who are using the same. What is even more scary? Most of this procedure is done as a DIY. Yes, let's talk more about it.
Meet Mithun Devaiah, an engineer from Bangalore who has gotten RFID chips implanted in both of his hands. As shown in the video above, with this implant and a little bit of hardware tinkering, he is able to turn on his bike, open office doors, and even share his Instagram all with a single swipe of his hand.
As a hardware enthusiast Mithun, was exploring around Arduino and RFID technology when he stumbled across RFID chip implant and how it is used in animals. After learning that it can be used for humans, he purchased it online and tried approaching doctors to have it implanted. But since there was not much awareness about it, he implanted these chips by himself by watching online tutorials and has been using his implanted chip for almost two years now. When Circuit Digest asked him about any disadvantages of using the chip, he replied:
Getting an RFID chip implant is easier that it should be. I am writing this article from India, and it took five minutes of google search to find an RFID implant chip that I can use myself, that’s it no medical prescription needed, its available just like that. As you can see in the below picture the RFID implant chip gets shipped with a syringe and is ready to use out of the box.
I in no means want to encourage people to use these, so the vendors name will be hidden. But the points are it can be purchased by anyone with an internet and few bucks to spare.
This is where things got scary at least for me. These RFID chips are not implanted by doctors but is it done as a DIY procedure. Yes, there are tons of videos out there which shows how a person can inject these RFID tags by themselves.
People who are enthusiastic about it claim that the procedure is relatively safe, and the capsule is being inserted under the skin between your thumb and index finger. This place supposedly has no bones nearby and the chip itself can stay there without restricting any normal activities. While this is not comfortable for a person like me, there are people who have taken this daring step to get an RFID chip implanted.
Despite seeing a lot of people successfully self admistering RFID chips and reading through a lot of assuring answers from the online community, we wanted to get a professional Opinion. Luckily, we were able to find Dr. Vishal Mishra, who was kind enough to answer few questions about what might go wrong with an RFID implant India.
Q1. Can this RFID chip Implant be self-administered? As a doctor what is your advice?
The mere fact that you showed me this syringe and that its widely accessible and people are already using it as self-admiration is scary. I see cases in wards, and emergency departments every day and sometimes even trained people can get things wrong during a medical procedure. So yes, if you ask me, I would say self-administration for an RFID Chip Implant is scary.
Q2. Will people with RFID chip Implants be able to take MRI scans?
There are no particular guidelines for an RFID chip Implant and MRI scanning. So, the first reaction would be from the grounds of rejection. MRI machines are expensive and sensitive, so even if someone wants to help you, they will have their doubt. What if the RFID chip gets magnetized or heated, or in worst case pulled out of your skin and into the machine. I am not sure what materials is used in these devices, but considering safety and lack of awareness a person with Chip Implant might very well be rejected for an MRI scan.
Q3. Assume someone with RFID chip Implant, wants to get it removed. Would you attend it? Is there any legal complication?
I have been practicing medicine in new Delhi for quite some time, and if someone comes to me with such complication, there is no legal complication or law that will stop me as a doctor from helping the patient to reverse that situation. We see lot of cases with foreign body insertion, especially in elementary canal or in accidents. So, there is no law stopping us from helping them. When someone needs it to be remove, we will help them with most septic and precautionary method possible.
It will be a simple procedure, unless something is already broken inside, and the parts are scattered. In that case we have to salvage the tissue and sometimes it can even lead to amputation.
Q4. If someone who is very interested in this technology walks into a clinic and asks help to get the RFID Tag safety injected will you help them?
As a doctor I would have to ask WHY? Are the benefits surpassing the risks associated with it? Even if I am convinced, I will not do it. I would send the person to a therapy or counseling. So yes, absolutely not.
Apart from the Medical and Legal complications. Another common question is, can this RFID chip be hacked?
The RFID implant tags are a type of passive RFID tag, meaning they do not have a battery or any power source of their own. They have to come in contact with a frequency from an RFID reader to be able to send out the data stored in it.
The frequency rage of the RFID chip implant tags is very low, around the 125KHz and 13.5Mhz. Low frequency means low range, this is why you have to place your tag very close to the reader for it work. While there are high frequency RFID tags which can operate in long range (like Fastag), almost every RFID chip implants operate on the low frequency. This means that for your tag to be hacked or even read, it has to come in very close proximity to the reader. Also, each RFID has a unique hardware ID which cannot be dublicated.
As confirmed by Rupesh Surve, a hardware security researcher. RFID tags operating on 125KHz and 13.6MHz are for small range (upto 10cm) applications and it cannot be read even by hackers without getting into close proximity. But RFID technology by itself is very vulnerable. The are several tools and methods available using which one can simply clone the RFID Tags.
Long story short, RFID chips are reliable for applications which does not require high security, but it is not the safest technology to store sensitive data.
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is outside the scope of this article. We wrote the article with an intention to educate people who are curious about RFID implants.
That being said, we hope you enjoyed reading this. If you have any questions leave them in comment section and we will discuss your thoughts.
India’s electric vehicle industry is growing at a rapid scale. In an effort to further bolster the industry, the central Ministry of Heavy Industries a couple of months back has increased the allocation of funds under Faster Adoption & Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India (FAME-II) scheme to Rs 11,500 crore, up from Rs 10,000 crore. Apart from that, the union government has also unleashed an additional Rs 500 crore subsidy scheme, dubbed Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme 2024 (EMPS 2024).
Nowadays, robotics are extremely popular in mining, packaging, manufacturing, and assembly sectors. Basically, robotics is the branch of technology that is related to the design, construction, operation, structural depositions, manufacture, and application of robots. Industrial robots are gaining a huge traction all over the world, mostly in the automotive industry due to their reliability, speed, intelligence, and accuracy.
Times have gone by since electronic products manufactured by Chinese companies were treated contemptuously for their cheaper and inferior quality. But over the past fifteen to twenty years, China flipped the entire situation and earned the status of the “World’s Factory.” The country with 1.409 billion people turned out to be the world’s biggest electronics exporter, holding a 33 percent share of global exports with a value addition of $1,368 billion. The entire world was baffled by China’s quick dominance in the global electronics supply chain. Have you ever imagined, what’s the ‘Secret Weapon’ or the ‘Brahmashtra’ that helped China to spearhead the entire electronics ecosystem?
Many are still under the impression that it is China’s business monopoly scheme supported by the “Communist-Autocratic” rule, which follows no international regulatory or environmental compliance. Now, if you only abide by this thinking, then there is a misconception. In an effort to bolster the electronics manufacturing ecosystem, China offered a delectable strategic platter to the manufacturers, served with billions of dollars of subsidies in key infrastructures, cheap labor, and incentive schemes.
Highlighting the strategies of electronics manufacturing in China, Yogesh Suryavanshi, Executive Director and COO at NMTronics India, said, “All of us know how China was fifteen years ago. We used to crack jokes about Chinese products, but for the past few years, the situation has changed. They have educated themselves and kept on improving the quality of the products. The local customers and the government gave huge support to the manufacturing companies. For India, we are still learning to improve the products. Our comparison with Chinese suppliers is unjustified because they make production in high volumes and the cost of manufacturing is very low.”
When we speak about China’s dominance in this ecosystem, India is now turning out to be the biggest competitor in this industry. Interestingly, India had the potential to lead international electronics manufacturing starting from the early 80s. Today, it could have the lion’s share in this industry, much more or similar to that of China. But there is a ‘bolt from the blue’ due to which she outsources 80 percent of raw materials and components from China. Before we delve deep into that aspect, we need to understand the strategies implemented and deployed by China’s government.
Why is China able to board the global electronics growth bus while India is not?
Amid all the geopolitical scuffles, ‘Chip 4 Alliance’, and ‘China Plus One Strategy’, China still managed to establish itself as a global powerhouse for electronics manufacturing. The country already started investing in the electronics segment way back in the 1950s and commenced numerous research institutes and factories. In fact, students were given scholarships by the government to study electronics engineering abroad. Industry started growing at a staggering rate during the 80s and that’s when she was opened-up to the global economy. The global electronics company began investing in China to set-up its bases, and the nations started exporting its products.
Although various initiatives have been undertaken by the Chinese government in a span of 40-50 years, the nation has not been able to gain a reputation for producing quality electronic products in-house. This is when the government, policymakers, and manufacturers analyzed the situation conscientiously and started taking advantage of its own resources. They understood the mindset and demand ratio of their exporting nations and started making products as per the situation.
Since the late 90s, the Chinese government has provided billions of dollars in tax exemptions and subsidies to the companies and has strongly developed power plants, roads, rails, and ports. Most importantly, the biggest advantage is having 37 rare earth elements such as germanium, gallium, lithium, etc., which are extremely useful in the manufacturing of electronic items like electronic displays, hard drives, flat-screen monitors, and many more. On the other hand, the nation is furnished with huge volumes of cheap labor, which magnetizes global companies to set-up their units, backed by decreased production costs. The free-trade agreements also proved to be a game-changer for foreign firms in exporting their products to other countries seamlessly. Even during the COVID-19 situation in 2021, China manufactured around $1.7 trillion worth of electronics, which contributed 28 percent of global production.
India, on the other hand, was backed by numerous electronics companies, who were willing to manufacture large-scale electronics, including components. The country suffered a massive setback when, in December 1997, India signed the horrendous Information Technology Agreement (ITA-1) in Singapore. This is the moment when the nation’s dream of leading the global electronics value chain was shattered into pieces. According to the agreement, the nation had to wipe out tariffs on a variety of electronic products, and the import duty was brought to zero on products such as computers, telecommunication equipment, semiconductors, semiconductor manufacturing and testing equipment, and many more.
Now, you all might be flabber-gasted by the fact that India surpassed China in this industry throughout the 80s and the 90s. Domestic IT firms such as Wipro and HCL exported a huge chunk of IT hardware products to several nations, including China. For instance, in 1995, the share of domestic value-added products was around 70.27 percent, which unfortunately decreased by 45 percent in 2011. Kudos to ITA-1. The then government instructed the industry to concentrate on software and let China manufacture electronic items. There was a lack of liaison between the industry and the government.
In a recent SourceIndia event in Chennai, N Ramachandran, Managing Director, Mel Systems and Services, said, "Around 30 years ago, numerous electronic companies were not able to manufacture any kind of component because of the high restrictions imposed by the government in the industry. After every three months, manufacturers had to go to New Delhi to procure a new license for raw materials. The authorities during the late 90s even argued that India must focus on building software. We need real support for infrastructure and existing industries. The negative situation has changed dramatically because the government is now very proactive in supporting the industry.”
“There are some unforgivable reasons due to which India missed the bus numerous times, such as bureaucratic lassitude, lack of leadership with a clear vision, lack of infrastructure, and corruption. Today, India is generations behind in this industry, mostly in semiconductor manufacturing.”
Independent Journalist-CHOODIE SHIVARAM
India’s Imperative Strategies to Counter China’s Growth in Electronics Manufacturing
After several months of heated discussions with industry bodies, the UPA government has finally unleashed the nation’s first National Policy on Electronics (NPE) 2021, and under its aegis, Electronics Manufacturing Cluster EMC 1.0 was formed. Although it’s termed as the most comprehensive policy formulation, the NPE 2012 failed to attract big-ticket investments, seed high value-added manufacturing in the India ESDM ecosystem, or create large-scale employment, according to an exclusive report by the Economic Times. During that time, the country suffered a huge setback when it witnessed the biggest scams of the generation: 2G, CWG, and coalgate. The focus again shifted away from the electronics industry, and by 2014, the NDA government had come to power. India's electronics industry endured the pain of its wounds with immense stoicism. Since 2014, the new government has prioritized the growth of the ESDM ecosystem in India. In the same year, PM Modi stressed the imperativeness of making products in India and launched the nation’s first “Make-in-India” initiative that elevated confidence among the manufacturers in India. In 2017, exports of electronic goods reached Rs 41220 crores, and production reached Rs 388306 crore as per a report by the government. By 2022, exports reached Rs 109797 crore and production had reached Rs 6,40,810 crore.
Source: Ministry of Information and Technology (MeitY) and DGCA
The nation witnessed a huge impact in this ecosystem, when the government revised the National Policy on Electronics in 2019 and, under its aegis, launched Production Linked Incentive (PLI) for fourteen sectors worth Rs 1.97 lakh crore. Under NPE 2019, Modified Special Incentives Scheme (M-SIPS), Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC), and Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS) have been announced to boost the industry. In fact, the Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign initiated during the pandemic in 2020 also played a key role in motivating manufacturers to make products in India and highlighted the imperativeness of self-reliance in electronics manufacturing. This is when Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron, now acquired by Tata, started producing Apple’s iPhones in the southern part of India.
The nation is now one of the largest mobile phone manufacturing countries and world’s second largest smartphone market. The PLI scheme on mobile handsets and the Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) escalated mobile phone manufacturing to 290 million units in 2020-21 from 60 million units in 2014-15. Mobile phone exports from India will grow more than fivefold to USD 50-60 billion in the coming time from about USD 11 billion last year, Union IT and Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said. He said that 10 years ago India imported 98 percent of mobile phones and at present 99 percent of the devices are made in India. Around 10 lakh people work in electronics manufacturing. In the coming days, 25 lakh people will work in electronics manufacturing. The government has now targeted $300-$400 billion worth of total electronics production and $125 billion in exports by 2026. Semiconductors are one of the crucial electronic components, which were largely ignored by the previous governments. Industry leaders have been calling for a separate incentive scheme for this industry for a long time. PM Modi, along with this cabinet, launched the much-awaited incentive scheme of Rs76,000 crore to boost the ecosystem. The scheme has targeted Micron to set-up its first ATMP unit in Gujarat. Now, TATA group and CG Power also announced a new fab and ATMP unit in Gujarat and in Assam.
Highlighting more about the growth of the industry, Shri S Krishnan, IAS, Secretary MeitY, said, “Previously, the department was not looking to develop the core electronics, and the focus was mostly centered upon developing software, e-governance, and other aspects. But, in the past 5-6 years, the core electronics mojo has been back on track. We now have a very successful PLI on IT hardware, and 27 companies have signed MoUs and many of them have already started operating. This PLI offers benefits to the existing companies and provides subsidies as well. It recognizes that we are dealing with an industry where India has traditional strength, and we must use it in such a way that it benefits the country. Currently, 70 percent of PCBs used in India are still imported. Therefore, I urge industry bodies to work more closely with the government to give more suggestions on how to grow the industry more,” added Mr. Krishnan.
The Indian ESDM market contributed around 2.2 percent of the international market in 2021, which is expected to increase by 7 percent in 2026, claims an analysis of Frost and Sullivan. Now, when we again speak of China dominating the international electronics industry, the situation is now topsy-turvy owing to the augmenting geopolitical situation, supply chain disruptions, and the sudden spike in labor costs. Moreover, the global companies are now looking to shift their operations away from China and set-up bases in India, Philippines, and Vietnam.
Source: Frost and Sullivan
The effect of COVID-19 has had a massive impact on China’s electronics production. In Q1 2023, there is a 15 percent decrease in semiconductor production and a 13.8 percent decline in smartphone production, which has affected domestic companies such as Vivo, Xiaomi, and Oppo. It has ultimately resulted in 4.5 percent GDP growth and 3.9 percent industrial output in March. According to the survey by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the EMS companies in China contributed 0.9 percent year-on-year escalation in value-added and saw a 5.8 percent escalation in value-added by the electronics information manufacturing industry. The production of mobile phones witnessed 935 million units, of which 679 million were contributed by smartphones.
Will India Become the “World’s Factory” in Electronics Manufacturing by Replacing China?
The government of India has undertaken strenuous efforts over the years to help the nation compete in the global electronics value chain. The nation is definitely growing in terms of exports and manufacturing backed by fruitful schemes, but there are a certain set of challenges that need solutions. Keeping aside mobile phones and other IT hardware products, India imports a huge chunk of components and raw materials from China. According to last year’s data, around 80 percent of PCBs and sensors were imported from China. As per Money Control report, shipments from China to India have augmented by $98.5 billion in Q1 2023. It is an increase of 4.16 percent in imports. Electronic equipment worth $30.63 billion were imported to India from China in 2022.
Then labor is another key challenge for India’s electronics manufacturing industry. According to Vinod Sharma, managing director of Deki electronics, labor is definitely available largely, but they do not have basic education on how to operate a machine. When they come to the factory, they are completely confused, and training needs to be given to them from scratch. Equipment price and design is also the key barrier. The equipment to produce electronics and semiconductor goods are highly expensive. India does not have a proper ecosystem to manufacture equipment and the designs are also mostly done for the foreign companies. Industry leaders are now calling for more real India made designs.
In an effort to reduce component imports from China, the finance ministry has recently unleashed 30 percent anti-dumping duty on bare PCBs up to six layers. Strategically, India is now in a better position to become the “World’s Factory” in the coming few years, but China’s unlimited subsidies, lack of regulatory compliance, and free trade agreement could be a challenging situation for India. Experts also opine that USA and Europe’s geopolitical scuffle with China could also prove to be a game-changing situation for India. India is now signing agreements with various nations to develop its semiconductor and electronics industry.
It must be noted that the global economy has been in turbulence ever since the breakout of Covid in 2019. While US and China tensions predated Covid, things have been getting increasingly difficult and unpredictable, with one crisis following the other. The Ukraine- Russia War added immense stress to the global economy, especially in the areas of energy and materials, notwithstanding the immense human suffering and loss of property it has caused. Even as this war continues, there are growing tensions in the Middle East with Israel vs. Hamas standoff.
Speaking of India standing out as a bright spot amid the global tensions, Rajoo Goel, Secretary-General of ELCINA said, "In this entire milieu, India definitely stands out as a bright spot and beacon of hope. With our focus on the ESDM sector, India has been pulling out all the stops to enable the electronics ecosystem and establish itself as a serious player in the global industry. While our economy and markets are growing, demand growth outpaced supply, and we remained dependent on growing imports. Concerted efforts in the last few years have salvaged the situation somewhat. However, much more needs to be done to create a sustainable ecosystem, especially with respect to value addition and manufacturing of components."
Your email is safe with us, we don’t spam.
Be a part of our ever growing community.
