Powering India’s leap towards self-reliance in semiconductors for space and IoT systems under the RISC-V initiative, ISRO and IIT Madras have jointly launched IRIS chip.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and IIT Madras have recently developed an indigenous semiconductor chip, marking a major milestone in India’s pursuit of self-reliance. The chip, named ‘IRIS’ (Indigenous RISCV Controller for Space Applications), is based on the SHAKTI processor architecture and is designed for use in IoT and computing systems.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology supported the project under the ‘Digital India RISC-V’ initiative, which aims to promote the indigenous development of microprocessor-based products with strong security and transparency centred around RISC-V technology.
The development was a collaborative effort between ISRO’s Inertial Systems Unit (IISU) in Thiruvananthapuram and IIT Madras, which defined the specifications and designed the chip.
Tailored to meet the functional and computational needs of sensors and systems used in ISRO’s space missions, this chip integrates fault-tolerant internal memories with the SHAKTI core to ensure high reliability. Additionally, custom modules such as CORDIC, WATCHDOG timers, and advanced serial buses have been incorporated, with provisions for future expansion.
Moreover, the manufacturing took place at the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) in Chandigarh, with packaging handled by TATA Advanced Systems Limited in Karnataka. The motherboard fabrication was managed by PCB Power India in Gujarat and Syrma SGS Technology Limited in Chennai, while software development was also led by IIT Madras. The chip underwent extensive testing, both in terms of software and hardware, to ensure its performance.
According to a report by India Today, this achievement is part of ISRO’s broader initiative to indigenise semiconductors for space missions, command systems, and other critical functions.
Professor V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, highlighted the significance of this accomplishment, noting that the entire process—from chip design to fabrication, software development, and booting—was completed within India.
“This system has successfully booted yet another demonstration of Aatmanirbharata in the complete design process of a semiconductor chip as complex as a microprocessor,” he said.
ISRO Chairman Dr V. Narayanan expressed his pride in the successful development of the IRIS Controller, achieved entirely with Indian resources. Kamaljeet Singh, Director General of SCL Chandigarh, reiterated the importance of collaboration between academia and startups in fostering self-reliance in cutting-edge technologies.
