The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has commissioned a Bengaluru-based firm to develop an indigenous receiver chip for acquiring and disseminating Indian time for navigation via the Indian Constellation (NavIC). Developed by ISRO, NavIC aims to provide directional mapping support to land, rail, and air users, enhancing route-finding capabilities. Currently, this service primarily relies on the US-based Global Positioning System (GPS).
ISRO has already launched the IRNSS satellites and is working towards making NavIC accessible to the public. Meanwhile, DRDO is focused on creating a domestic receiver chip to provide IRNSS Network Timing (IRNWT). Accord Software and Systems Pvt Ltd (ASSPL) in Bengaluru has been tasked with developing this customized and flexible timing system for NavIC.
"We are developing a completely Indian-made receiver for both defence and commercial applications", said an ASSPL source. The need for this development was highlighted during the Kargil war when the US denied India's request to use GPS technology. Currently, India relies on GPS for various applications, including mobile phones.
This new initiative is expected to significantly benefit the defence sector by providing India with complete control over its navigation systems. The project, which began on July 1, is scheduled for completion in 24 months. ASSPL is among the seven private firms partnered with DRDO under the Technology Development Fund scheme.
Additionally, DRDO has partnered with Craftlogic Labs Private Limited in Bengaluru to develop a mechanism for detecting in-flight icing conditions. This involves activating the aircraft's anti-icing mechanisms when super-cooled water droplets contact the aircraft's surfaces.
Further collaborations include Noida-based Oxygen-2 Innovation Private Limited for developing an Indigenous Scenario and Sensor Simulation Toolkit, Pune-based Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt Ltd for a launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, Kochi-based IROV Technologies Pvt Limited for Long-range Remotely Operated Vehicles for Detection and Neutralization, Chennai-based Data Pattern (India) Limited for a Radar Signal Processor with an Active Antenna Array Simulator, and Coimbatore-based Alohatech Private Limited for Graphene-Based Smart & E-textiles for Multifunctional Wearable Applications.