The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT Madras) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have successfully developed and booted the IRIS (Indigenous RISC-V Controller for Space Applications) chip, marking a significant leap in India’s semiconductor and space technology capabilities. Built on the SHAKTI processor, this aerospace-grade semiconductor enhances India’s self-reliance in mission-critical computing, offering advanced fault tolerance and reliability for future ISRO missions.
The successful development of the IRIS chip aligns with India’s broader push for technological self-sufficiency, particularly in semiconductor design and fabrication. Manufactured at the Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL) in Chandigarh, the chip was packaged by TATA Advanced Systems Limited in Karnataka and assembled by Syrma SGS Technology Limited in Chennai, reflecting India’s growing semiconductor ecosystem. The collaboration among leading research institutions, government agencies, and private sector companies underscores the nation’s capability to build cutting-edge, indigenous technology for strategic applications.
Highlighting the significance of this achievement, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan ISR stated, “This marks truly a milestone in ‘Make in India’ efforts in semiconductor design and fabrication.” The IRIS chip represents a critical step toward reducing India’s dependence on foreign-made semiconductors for space exploration and satellite systems. With increasing global demand for secure and high-performance processors in aerospace applications, India’s advancements in RISC-V architecture provide a competitive edge in the field.
Prof. Kamakoti Veezhinathan, Director of IIT Madras, emphasized the institute’s continued commitment to semiconductor research, stating, “After RIMO in 2018 and MOUSHIK in 2020, this is the third SHAKTI chip we have fabricated at SCL Chandigarh and successfully booted at IIT Madras.” The SHAKTI initiative, a long-term effort to develop indigenous processor architectures, has laid the foundation for high-performance, energy-efficient chips tailored for space, defense, and industrial automation.
The IRIS chip is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing ISRO’s capabilities, particularly in real-time data processing for navigation, communication, and satellite control. Given the harsh conditions of space, semiconductor components require extreme reliability, radiation resistance, and low-power operation. The IRIS chip is designed with these requirements in mind, ensuring stable performance in space missions.
India’s growing expertise in semiconductor design is not just a technological milestone but also a strategic advantage in the global semiconductor race. With major economies investing heavily in chip manufacturing and AI-driven computing, India’s ability to produce high-performance processors domestically strengthens its position in the evolving geopolitical and technological landscape. The success of the IRIS chip further reinforces India’s ambitions in developing a self-reliant semiconductor ecosystem, which is critical for national security, economic growth, and technological sovereignty.
As the world moves toward next-generation computing and AI-powered systems, the role of semiconductor technology will become even more central. IIT Madras and ISRO’s collaboration on the IRIS chip showcases the power of academia-industry partnerships in driving innovation. By continuing to invest in semiconductor R&D, India is poised to emerge as a key player in global chip design and fabrication, reinforcing its status as a technology leader on the world stage.
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