Elena Geo Pvt. Ltd., incubated at IIT Kharagpur in 2012, has been honoured with the prestigious Pandit Deendayal Upadhaya Telecom Excellence Award by the Government of India. The award, instituted by the Department of Telecommunications, recognizes outstanding contributions to the telecom ecosystem, specifically in telecom skilling, services, and manufacturing applications. Elena Geo was selected for this award for their exceptional work in developing NavIC-based devices and applications.
The core of Elena’s achievement lies in the indigenous development of NavIC chips through sustained research and development efforts. Despite India currently lacking a semiconductor fabrication facility, the government has initiated several measures to establish a semiconductor industry, expected to materialize in the next 2-3 years.
The initial facility is projected to offer 28nm technology, but its quality certification and commercial success may take an additional year. In contrast, Elena has already developed a 12nm chip, significantly ahead of the anticipated timeline.
What is the company’s contribution?
Elena Geo’s contribution is a milestone in the development of NavIC chips, reducing the overall development time by three to four years. Their continuous R&D efforts are focused on advancing to 7nm chips in the coming years. This progress will enhance the capabilities of NavIC-based applications and expedite the effective utilization of the NavIC constellation by 3-4 years.
Importance of NavIC Chips
The importance of NavIC chips cannot be overstated. NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) is an autonomous satellite navigation system developed by India, providing accurate positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) information. NavIC chips are crucial for India’s strategic independence in satellite navigation, reducing reliance on foreign systems like GPS. These chips enable a wide range of applications, from transportation and logistics to defence and disaster management.
Elena Geo’s 12nm NavIC chip, launched on April 13, 2023, at an Indian Space Association event, is capable of processing all three facets of GNSS: Positioning, Navigation, and Timing. The launch was graced by General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff, Dr SV Kamat, Chairman DRDO, Chief of Air Staff VR Chaudhary, and MD Bharat Shakti, Nitin Gokhale.
With an eye on future advancements, Elena Geo is poised to further enhance India’s capabilities in satellite navigation, contributing significantly to the country’s technological and strategic prowess.