Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL) at Chandigarh, an Autonomous Body under the Department of Space, is engaged in Research & Development in the area of Microelectronics. Activities at SCL are focused on design, development, manufacturing, testing & assembly, packaging of Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) devices, Imaging and Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) devices, including the development of process technology for various applications. SCL is also involved in High Reliability (Hi-Rel) board fabrication and component screening for ISRO, indigenisation of electronic boards for Air Force and production of Dr. Pisharoty Radio Sonde Systems for atmospheric studies.

SCL is continuing its efforts to create a strong microelectronics base in the country and enhance capabilities in Very Large Scale Integrated Circuits (VLSIs) domain. While the design, assembly, testing, quality / reliability assurance facilities are already in place, the manufacturing facility has been upgraded from 0.8 μm CMOS 6” Wafer Fabrication to 0.18 μm CMOS 8” Wafer Fabrication.

Production Lots (Wafer Lots) are being processed with Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) / Test Chips designed in-house. Second Lot, out of four Production Lots under processing, has been fabed-out in August 2015. Vikram Processor, one of the key components for Launch Vehicle application, has been successfully realised as part of this Lot. Main application of Vikram Processor is in the realisation of on-board computers for navigation, guidance and control processing in flight applications as well as for general purpose processing applications.

Vikram Processor devices being handed over by Secretary, DOS/Chairman, ISRO to Director, VSSC during September 2015

There is ever-increasing requirement of incorporating more features and reducing size, weight and volume of on-board systems coupled with improved reliability through higher level of integration. Technologies available at SCL in microelectronics domain are focused towards supporting ISRO/DOS and other sectors in realising these objectives indigenously and at the same time providing required flexibilities for their specific applications.

Wafer Fabrication Facility

Wafer Fabrication Facility –Inside Views