In a big step towards self-reliance in technology, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have developed a semiconductor chip named IRIS (Indigenous RISC-V Controller for Space Applications). This chip will support India's space and defense missions, marking an important milestone in India's Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
Fully Made in India
The IRIS chip is based on the SHAKTI microprocessor, which was developed at IIT Madras using RISC-V, an open-source processor technology. It was designed at IIT Madras, manufactured at Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) Chandigarh, and packaged by Tata Advanced Systems in Karnataka. The motherboard was made in Gujarat and assembled in Chennai. The software for the processor was also developed at IIT Madras.
Key Features of IRIS Chip
- Designed to support ISRO’s space and strategic missions
- Built for fault tolerance and reliability, making it suitable for space applications
- Includes custom features like WATCHDOG timers and advanced serial buses
- Can be expanded for future missions with multiple boot modes and hybrid memory extensions
- Fully designed and manufactured in India
A Major Step for India's Semiconductor Industry
This is the third SHAKTI-based chip developed in India after RIMO (2018) and MOUSHIK (2020). The Director of IIT Madras, Professor V Kamakoti, highlighted that this development showcases India's growing expertise in semiconductor technology.
ISRO Chairman Dr. V Narayanan called this achievement a major milestone, while Kamaljeet Singh, Director General of SCL Chandigarh, emphasized that the IRIS chip was built using 180 nm technology, proving India's capability in chip manufacturing.
With this achievement, India is making steady progress in the global semiconductor industry, strengthening its position as a leader in space and defense technologies.
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