A strategic cost-benefit analysis for semiconductor executive leadership evaluating internal RTL development versus licensing validated third-party PQC IP.
Designing a high-performance, constant-time, side-channel-hardened lattice cryptographic accelerator requires specialized cryptographic mathematicians, seasoned RTL engineers, and verification specialists—a scarce and expensive engineering talent pool. Developing such a core in-house typically requires 18 to 24 months and millions in R&D expenditure.
With national governments mandating post-quantum compliance by 2028-2030, semiconductor vendors that integrate commercial silicon IP can tape-out quantum-ready chips 12 to 18 months ahead of competitors, capturing lucrative federal and enterprise tier-1 socket wins.
Evaluating semiconductor IP commercial licensing structures, multi-project tape-out rights, and ongoing maintenance support contracts.