The NaVIC chip, also known as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), is a satellite-based navigation system developed by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). It provides positioning, navigation, and timing services over the Indian subcontinent and adjoining regions.
The Bengaluru-based space technology company has unveiled an indigenously designed NavIC chip which can use India’s home grown navigation satellite system to provide positioning services that have applications in civilian and defence sectors. It has India’s first fully designed and developed processor that will give a huge edge as it will be nation’s own version of American Global Positioning System (GPS).
The chip, designed by the IIT-Kharagpur incubated Elena Geo Systems was presented to Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan in the presence of Samir V Kamat, Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari at the Defence Space Symposium that was held from 11-13 April 2023.
The NaVIC chip has a number of potential applications, including in transportation, disaster management, agriculture, and defence. It is expected to enhance India’s strategic autonomy, reduce its reliance on foreign navigation systems, and contribute to economic growth.
”The chip has many cores that service the requirements of signal acquisition, regeneration, processing and the output interface and hence it has been named the NavIC processor. This will enable high precision and accuracy for all the three types of application applications such as navigation, positioning and timing, providing India much-needed Atma Nirbharata in this domain,” said Lt Col VS Velan, founder and Chief Technology Officer of Elena Geo Systems.
NavIC vs. GPS
While GPS can get you within 20 metres of your target, NaVIC can get you closer within 5 metres. This is created specifically for military purposes. Unlike GPS, which can be used anywhere globally, NaVIC is regional and can only be used within India and up to 1,500 km from its borders.
Design and Function
NavIC is designed with a constellation of 7 satellites and a network of ground stations operating 24 x 7. Three satellites of the constellation are placed in geostationary orbit, at 32.5°E, 83°E and 129.5°E respectively, and four satellites are placed in inclined geosynchronous orbit with equatorial crossing of55°E and 111.75°E respectively.
NavIC offers two services:
1. Standard Position Service (SPS) for civilian users
2. Restricted Service (RS) for strategic users
NavIC coverage area includes India and a region up to 1500 km beyond Indian boundary. Its SPS signals are interoperable with the other global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals namely GPS, Glonass, Galileo, and BeiDou.
India’s Semiconductor Mission
Earlier in the SemiconIndia Future Design Roadshow held in Gujarat, MoS for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrashekhar launched ISRO-tested and qualified NaVIC Receiver Chipsets. Addressing the event, the Minister said, “Total exports for electronics items & mobile phones will cross 75,000 Cr in 2022. In 2014, our total electronics production was worth 1 Lakh Cr. By 2025, it’ll be 25 Lakh Cr i.e. In a decade, it will be 25 times Cr.”
Semiconductor Mission was launched by India in December 2021, with an incentive outlet of Rs 76,000 crore. The mission has been set up as a dedicated institution for Semicon India Programme. The primary aim of this mission is to attract investment in the strategic Semiconductor sector and to facilitate in building digital infrastructure.
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