India’s first aerospace-grade semiconductor chip, IRIS, was created by ISRO and IIT Madras to increase space self-reliance.
IRIS, India’s first aerospace-grade semiconductor chip, was unveiled by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-Madras). In India’s quest for independence in semiconductor technology, especially for space applications, this development marks an important turning point.
Native RISC-V Controller for Space Applications, or IRIS
based on the open-source RISC-V Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) used by the SHAKTI processor.
intended for use in critical space applications, such as ISRO’s command and control systems, computing tasks, and Internet of Things (IoT) systems.
IIT-Madras and ISRO’s Inertial Systems Unit (IISU), situated in Thiruvananthapuram, worked together to develop the IRIS chip. From design to booting, the entire process was carried out in India, demonstrating the nation’s expanding semiconductor technology capabilities. Among the crucial phases of development were:
led by Professor V Kamakoti and his group at IIT Madras.
carried out in Chandigarh at the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL).
In Karnataka, it is run by Tata Advanced Systems.
completed in Gujarat by PCB Power.
managed in Chennai by Syrma SGS.To guarantee dependability during space missions, the IRIS chip integrates a number of cutting-edge features:
Internal memories that are fault-tolerant improve dependability in trying circumstances.
Advanced serial buses, WATCHDOG timers, and CORDIC (Coordinate Rotation Digital Computer) are examples of components found in custom functional modules.
Its performance for space applications was validated through extensive hardware and software evaluations.
The creation of the IRIS chip, specifically in the semiconductor industry, is in line with India’s larger goal of creating a “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India). In addition to lowering reliance on foreign technology, this project seeks to strengthen domestic capabilities in high-tech domains crucial to strategic requirements and national security.
This accomplishment, according to Professor V Kamakoti, validates India’s entire semiconductor ecosystem and strengthens the nation’s capacity to develop and produce high-performance chips in-house.
