ISRO rolls out indigenous 32-bit microprocessors for space applications
What's the story
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced the successful development of two advanced 32-bit microprocessors, Vikram 3201 and Kalpana 3201.
These cutting-edge processors have been specifically engineered for space applications, showcasing India's growing self-sufficiency in high-reliability space technology.
The Vikram 3201 is particularly notable as it is the first entirely Indian-made 32-bit microprocessor to be certified for use in launch vehicles.
Processor details
Vikram 3201: The 1st Indian-made microprocessor for launch vehicles
The Vikram 3201 microprocessor was developed by ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in collaboration with the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) in Chandigarh.
It was fabricated at SCL's state-of-the-art, 180nm CMOS semiconductor fab.
This advanced processor is an upgraded version of the indigenous 16-bit Vikram 1601 microprocessor, which has been operational in ISRO's launch vehicle avionics systems since 2009.
Specifications
Kalpana 3201: A versatile microprocessor for space applications
The second microprocessor, Kalpana 3201, is a versatile 32-bit SPARC V8 RISC microprocessor.
It is based on the IEEE 1754 Instruction Set Architecture and has been made to be compatible with open-source software toolsets.
The processor has also been tested with flight software and is compatible with ISRO's in-house developed simulators and Integrated Development Environment (IDE).
Technical features
Custom instruction set architecture for high-level language support
Both Vikram 3201 and Vikram 1601 come with a custom Instruction Set Architecture, floating-point computation prowess, and high-level language support for Ada language.
All the software tools needed for these chips, including Ada compiler, assembler, linker, simulator, as well as Integrated Development Environment (IDE), are developed in-house by ISRO.
A C language compiler is also in the works to provide more flexibility to users in other domains.
Validation and delivery
Vikram 3201 validated in space
The first batch of Vikram 3201 devices was successfully validated in space, in the Mission Management Computer of PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM-4) during PSLV-C60 mission.
The first production batches of these microprocessors have been handed over to ISRO's Chairman, V Narayanan.
Along with these microprocessors, four other devices jointly made with SCL were also delivered for significant miniaturization of the launch vehicle avionics system.