The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), in collaboration with the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), has unveiled Vikram 3201 — India’s first fully indigenous 32-bit microprocessor, perfectly qualified for the harsh environments of launch vehicles. This milestone was marked on March 5, 2025, when the first production batch was officially handed over to Dr. V. Narayanan, Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, ISRO, by S. Krishnan of MeitY during a ceremony in New Delhi Indian Space Research Organisation
Vikram 3201 represents a leap in domestic space-grade electronics. Fabricated at SCL’s 180 nm CMOS fab, it advances the legacy of the 16-bit Vikram 1601, which powered ISRO’s avionics since 2009. It features a custom instruction set, floating-point computation capabilities, and high-level language support—especially Ada—with accompanying in-house tools like compilers, simulators, and an IDE. Development of a C compiler is also underway to broaden usability
Vikram 3201’s space worthiness has already been proven—the processor was validated in space aboard the Mission Management Computer of the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM-4) during the PSLV-C60 mission
Alongside Vikram 3201, ISRO and SCL also revealed Kalpana 3201, a 32-bit SPARC V8 RISC microprocessor based on the IEEE 1754 ISA. It supports open-source software toolsets and has been flight-software tested for mission use
The unveiling also involved delivery of four additional modules aimed at avionics miniaturization: two versions of a Reconfigurable Data Acquisition System (RDAS) with embedded 24-bit Sigma-Delta ADCs, a Relay Driver IC, and a Multi-Channel Low Drop-Out (LDO) Regulator IC
This achievement is more than a technological milestone—it’s a milestone in India’s journey toward Atmanirbharata (self-reliance) in critical space electronics and microprocessor design
Why This Matters
- Strategic Sovereignty: Developing and deploying domestically designed microprocessors enhances India’s independence in critical space technologies.
- Space Readiness: Built to endure the rigors of rocket launches, these microprocessors elevate ISRO’s technological robustness.
- Tech Ecosystem Growth: The inclusion of in-house development tools and architecture supports future innovation by Indian engineers and academia.
- Legacy and Innovation: Progressing from the trusted 16-bit Vikram 1601 to the advanced 32-bit Vikram 3201 showcases India’s evolution in avionics design.
