ISRO & IIT Madras Unveil Indigenous Chip for Space

In a significant stride towards self-reliance in space technology, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) have collaboratively developed and successfully booted an indigenous semiconductor chip named ‘IRIS’ (Indigenous RISC-V Microprocessor for Space Applications). This development aligns with the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, aiming to reduce dependence on foreign technology in critical sectors.

What is the ‘IRIS’ Chip and Its Significance?

The ‘IRIS’ chip is derived from the ‘SHAKTI’ microprocessor project, which is based on the open-source RISC-V Instruction Set Architecture (ISA). The SHAKTI project, led by Prof. V. Kamakoti at IIT Madras, focuses on creating customizable processors for various applications. The ‘IRIS’ chip is tailored for space applications, including command and control systems, and can also be utilized in domains such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and computing systems for strategic needs.

How Was the ‘IRIS’ Chip Developed?

The ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU) in Thiruvananthapuram proposed the concept of a 64-bit RISC-V-based controller and collaborated with IIT Madras to define the specifications and design of the semiconductor chip. The design addressed common functional and computing requirements of existing sensors and systems used in ISRO missions. Fault-tolerant internal memories were integrated to enhance reliability, and custom functional and peripheral interface modules were included to meet specific space system needs.

What Makes This Development a Milestone in ‘Make in India’ Efforts?

The ‘IRIS’ chip’s development is noteworthy because it was entirely conceived, designed, and manufactured within India. The chip design and implementation were carried out by IIT Madras, fabrication was done by the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) in Chandigarh, packaging by Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. in Karnataka, and the motherboard was manufactured by PCB Power in Gujarat. This end-to-end indigenous development exemplifies India’s capabilities in semiconductor design and fabrication, marking a significant milestone in the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

What Are the Future Prospects of the ‘IRIS’ Chip?

ISRO plans to conduct flight tests using products based on the ‘IRIS’ controller shortly to confirm its performance in real-world space mission scenarios. The successful deployment of this high-performance controller is expected to contribute significantly to future embedded controllers for space mission-related applications, reinforcing India’s self-reliance in space technology.

This collaboration between ISRO and IIT Madras not only showcases the nation’s growing expertise in advanced technology development but also sets a precedent for future industry-academia partnerships aimed at achieving technological self-sufficiency.

Summaary of the news