India Makes Strides in Space Technology with Homegrown Chip

Designed for Space Exploration

Indian Institutes of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have done something pretty cool! They’ve created an aerospace-grade semiconductor chip, called ‘IRIS’ (Indigenous RISCV Controller for Space Applications). This is a big deal because it could help India become more self-reliant when it comes to space technology. The chip, built on the SHAKTI processor, is meant to be used in internet of things (IoT) and computing systems on spacecraft.

Stronger Together: Collaboration and Reliability

This project is all about reducing India’s dependence on foreign semiconductors. ISRO’s Inertial Systems Unit (IISU) in Thiruvananthapuram teamed up with IIT Madras to design the chip. They made sure it was reliable by including fault-tolerant memories. It also comes with special modules for things like calculations, safety checks, and communication.

Testing Time: Ensuring Quality for Space

Before launching into space, the chip had to undergo some serious testing. Scientists put it through its paces with both software and hardware evaluations. This ensured it could withstand the harsh environment of space.

Built with India in Mind

Professor V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, says that everything – from designing the chip to assembling it and even getting it to boot up – was done right here in India. This is all part of a bigger project called ‘Digital India RISC-V’ (DIRV), which aims to create secure, reliable microprocessor products within India.

Celebrating Success & Looking Ahead

The success of the IRIS chip has been met with praise. ISRO Chairman Dr. V Narayanan sees it as a win for India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. Kamaljeet Singh, Director General of the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) in Chandigarh, pledged continued support for collaborations with academic institutions and startups. This signifies a commitment to make India a leader in developing specialized semiconductor products.