Vikram-32: India’s First Semiconductor Chip Developed by ISRO for Space Applications

India’s first semiconductor chip developed by ISRO for space applications is Vikram-32 (VIKRAM3201), a fully indigenous 32-bit space-grade microprocessor designed for use in launch vehicles and satellites.
The processor was developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and fabricated at the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Mohali, making it India’s first space-qualified microprocessor to be designed, manufactured, and validated entirely within the country.

Unlike commercial semiconductor chips used in consumer electronics, Vikram-32 is built for mission-critical reliability. It is engineered to function under extreme vibration, radiation exposure, and temperature variations encountered during rocket launches and space operations. Its successful validation on an ISRO launch mission confirms its readiness for real-world aerospace deployment.

Quick Facts: India’s First ISRO Space-Grade Semiconductor Chip

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Parameter	Details
Chip Name	Vikram-32 (VIKRAM3201)
Category	32-bit space-grade semiconductor chip
Developed By	ISRO – Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC)
Fabricated At	Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Mohali
Process Technology	180 nm CMOS
Primary Applications	Launch vehicles, satellites, aerospace systems
Validation	Successfully tested on PSLV mission

What makes Vikram-32 significant is not just its technical capability, but the fact that every critical stage — from architecture design to fabrication — was completed within India.

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Why Vikram-32 Is a Major Milestone in India’s Semiconductor Program

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India has worked on microprocessor design for years, but Vikram-32 marks a clear shift from partial capability to complete execution.

Fully Indigenous Space-Grade Chip

Earlier space electronics often depended on imported components or foreign fabrication. Vikram-32 breaks that dependency by demonstrating a full domestic semiconductor workflow — design, fabrication, assembly, and validation.

Transition from 16-Bit to 32-Bit Processing

ISRO previously relied on the Vikram-1601, a 16-bit processor used in launch vehicles since 2009. Moving to a 32-bit architecture allows:

• Better memory addressing
• Improved computational capability
• Support for modern onboard software

This upgrade is essential for increasingly complex space missions.

Technical Specifications of Vikram-32 Microprocessor

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Feature	Specification
Architecture	32-bit
Semiconductor Node	180 nm CMOS
Instruction Set	Indigenous ISA optimized for space systems
Lineage	Successor to Vikram-1601 (16-bit)
Toolchain	In-house Ada compiler, assembler, linker, simulator
Reliability	Radiation-tolerant, space-qualified
Use Cases	ISRO launch vehicles, satellites, strategic systems

Why ISRO Uses 180 nm Semiconductor Technology for Space Chips

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For space-grade semiconductor chips:

• Larger transistor sizes are more resistant to radiation-induced failures
• Mature nodes have decades of reliability data
• Verification and qualification cycles are faster and safer
• Predictable fabrication yields reduce mission risk

In space systems, reliability outweighs performance, making 180 nm an optimal choice rather than a limitation.

Software and Compiler Ecosystem Supporting Vikram-32

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A microprocessor is only useful if it is supported by a reliable software environment. ISRO developed a complete in-house toolchain for Vikram-32.

Ada-Based Development

Ada is widely used in aerospace and defense because of its strict safety and reliability features. ISRO has developed:

• Ada cross-compiler
• Assembler and linker
• Instruction-level simulator

A C compiler is under development to expand adoption among engineers and system integrators.

By controlling both hardware and software, ISRO avoids dependence on foreign compilers and closed-source toolchains.

Vikram-32 and Kalpana-3201: Two Complementary Space Processors

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ISRO is following a dual-processor strategy:

• Vikram-32 (VIKRAM3201) – Uses a fully indigenous instruction set for maximum strategic control.
• Kalpana-3201 -Based on SPARC v8 architecture, enabling compatibility with existing SPARC software and tools.

This approach provides flexibility while maintaining technological independence.

Strategic Importance of India’s First Space-Grade Semiconductor Chip

The impact of Vikram-32 extends beyond space missions.

• Space Autonomy – Reduced reliance on imported radiation-hardened chips
• National Security – Secure electronics for defense and strategic systems
• Semiconductor Ecosystem Growth – Proof of India’s end-to-end chip capability
• Technology Spillover – Applications in nuclear systems, automotive safety, and energy infrastructure

Vikram-32 places India among a limited group of nations capable of producing indigenous space-qualified processors.

How India Compares Globally in Space Semiconductor Technology

Countries with indigenous space-grade processors include:

• United States (RAD750 series)
• Europe (LEON processors)
• Japan (custom space CPUs)
• China (indigenous rad-hard processors)

With Vikram-32, India joins this group with its own domestically developed solution.

What Lies Ahead for Vikram-32

Future steps include:

• Detailed radiation performance benchmarking
• Expanded compiler and RTOS support
• Scaled production at SCL and upcoming fabs
• Wider adoption across aerospace and strategic sectors

If successfully expanded, Vikram-32 could form the foundation of India’s high-reliability electronics ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions