Key Takeaways
- ISRO has developed two new 32-bit microprocessors, Vikram 3201 and Kalpana 3201, for space applications.
- Vikram 3201 is the first fully Indian-made 32-bit microprocessor qualified for use in launch vehicles.
- Both microprocessors support high-level languages and are part of ISRO’s initiative for self-reliant technology in aerospace.
New Indian-Made Microprocessors for Space Applications
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced the joint development of two 32-bit microprocessors, Vikram 3201 and Kalpana 3201, in collaboration with the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) in Chandigarh. Designed specifically for the challenging conditions of space applications, Vikram 3201 represents a significant milestone as India’s first fully indigenous 32-bit microprocessor suited for use in launch vehicle environments. This processor is built on the 180nm CMOS technology developed at SCL.
The initiative builds on the foundation laid by ISRO’s earlier Vikram 1601, a 16-bit microprocessor that has been integrated into its launch vehicle avionics since 2009. A “Make-in-India” version of Vikram 1601 was introduced in 2016 following the establishment of the 180nm fab at SCL. The newly developed Kalpana 3201 is a 32-bit SPARC V8 microprocessor based on the IEEE 1754 Instruction Set Architecture, designed with compatibility for open-source software tools in mind. It has successfully undergone testing with flight software and incorporates various in-house developed tools, including simulators and an Integrated Development Environment (IDE).
Both microprocessors are engineered to support custom instruction set architectures along with floating-point computation capabilities. They feature high-level language compatibility, particularly for Ada, and a C language compiler is currently under development to enhance versatility for users outside traditional aerospace applications. This advancement is pivotal for achieving ‘Atmanirbharata’ (self-reliance) in high-reliability microprocessor technology meant for navigation, guidance, and control of launch vehicles.
The initial batch of Vikram 3201 microprocessors has already been validated in real space conditions, having been used in the Mission Management Computer for the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM-4) during the PSLV-C60 mission. Recently, the production lots of Vikram 3201 and Kalpana 3201 were handed over to V Narayanan, Secretary of the Department of Space, by S Krishnan from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
Additionally, four other devices developed in collaboration with SCL were presented, aimed at optimizing and miniaturizing launch vehicle avionics systems. These include two versions of a Reconfigurable Data Acquisition System integrating 24-bit Sigma-Delta Analog to Digital Converters and a Multi-Channel Low Drop-out Regulator for high-reliability applications. Furthermore, an MoU was signed for the development of miniaturized unsteady pressure sensors aimed at measuring dynamic pressure in wind tunnels, highlighting ongoing advancements in India’s aerospace technology sector.
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