ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Chandigarh have jointly developed 32-bit Microprocessors — Vikram 3201 and Kalpana 3201– for space applications.
Key Highlights
- Vikram 3201: The first fully Indian-made 32-bit microprocessor for launch vehicles, designed to withstand extreme environmental conditions.
- Kalpana 3201: A SPARC V8 RISC-based processor, aligning with global aerospace standards (IEEE 1754 ISA).
- Fabrication at 180nm CMOS (SCL, Chandigarh): While 180nm might seem outdated for consumer electronics, it’s still highly reliable for aerospace applications due to its resilience in radiation-heavy environments.
- Successor to Vikram 1601 (16-bit, in use since 2009): ISRO has been progressively enhancing its avionics with indigenous microprocessors.
This development reduces reliance on foreign tech, boosts India’s semiconductor self-sufficiency, and enhances security in critical space missions
