Vikram 3201: India’s First Indigenous Space Processor Unveiled
At the Semicon India 2025 conference, Electronics & IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, unveiled the Vikram 3201—India’s first indigenous space-grade microprocessor. Developed by ISRO in collaboration with the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Chandigarh, Vikram 3201 marks a historic leap for India’s semiconductor self-reliance and the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission.
Why is Vikram 3201 Special?
- 32-bit Microprocessor designed specifically for the extreme conditions of space.
- Efficiently operates between –55°C and +125°C.
- Manages critical navigation, control, and mission management functions for rockets and launch vehicles.
- Military-grade build for resistance to radiation and vibration.
- Upgraded with 64-bit floating-point operations and Ada programming language support.
- On-chip 1553B bus interface for advanced communication with other spacecraft systems.
- Manufactured at SCL Chandigarh using proven 180nm CMOS technology.
Advancements Over Previous Space Chips
ISRO previously used Vikram 1601, a 16-bit processor, since 2009. Vikram 3201 offers a substantial upgrade in speed, capability, and reliability. It was successfully tested during the PSLV-C60 mission by powering the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM-4). ISRO now plans to widely integrate this chip in upcoming launch vehicles.
Indigenous Ecosystem: Kalpana 3201 and More
- ISRO also introduced Kalpana 3201 in March 2025—another 32-bit processor based on SPARC V8 RISC with open-source toolchain support.
- Additional indigenous ICs include two Reconfigurable Data Acquisition Systems, a Relay Driver IC, and a Multi-Channel Low Drop-out Regulator IC.
- All these advances reduce dependency on imports for critical aerospace electronics.
Complete Made-in-India Space Tech Ecosystem
- ISRO and SCL developed a comprehensive software suite: Ada compiler, assembler, linker, simulator, and development environment for Vikram 3201. A C compiler is in the works to further expand developer support.
Impact on India’s Semiconductor Mission
The launch of Vikram 3201 at Semicon India 2025 also coincides with the government’s announcement of five new semiconductor units under the Design-Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme, propelling India as an emerging leader in the global semiconductor supply chain.
Conclusion
With the introduction of Vikram 3201, India steps boldly into a new era of indigenous space technology, ensuring robust and secure rocket and satellite missions for years to come.
