Indian startup Aheesa Digital Innovations has unveiled Vihaan-I, a system-on-chip (SoC) designed for broadband networking hardware. The chip utilizes a 64-bit VEGA processor core based on the RISC-V architecture, developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC). The platform is intended to replace imported components in routers, GPON, and EPON optical terminals.
The chip supports Gigabit Ethernet, DDR4 memory, SPI-NOR Flash, and eMMC storage. It includes a programmable pipeline for L2–L7 protocol processing, alongside security features such as a hardware root of trust, cryptographic accelerators, and secure boot. Aheesa successfully achieved a first-pass silicon milestone on August 15, confirming the initial prototype is fully functional without design revisions.
To facilitate market entry, Aheesa is developing the Seshnag reference platform and the AROS software environment based on OpenWrt. The company is collaborating with Optilink Networks on hardware integration and prototyping, while Zigma Technologies India will manage distribution. Commercial availability of the Vihaan-I chip is scheduled for early 2027, though specific performance metrics remain undisclosed.
