Source: TH
Context: A Bengaluru-based space technology company, Elena Geo Systems, has developed a chip (named NavIC processor) that can form the core of Navigation, Positioning and Timing applications using India’s indigenous satellite-based navigation system, NavIC.
- Previously, IIT-Bombay had developed a homegrown receiver chip – Dhruva
Indian NavIC GPS system has faced issues in integration with mobile phones as the mobiles require an extra chip (unlike USA’s GPS). This has been one of the major obstacles to the widespread use of NavIC.
About NavIC:
| Topic | Information |
| About NavIC | NavIC is a stand-alone navigation satellite system developed by ISRO. It consists of 7 satellites (3 Geo stationary and 4 Geosynchronous) covering India’s landmass and up to 1,500 km beyond its boundaries. |
| Operational | Approved in 2006, NavIC became operational in 2018 |
| L1 band | India is trying to shift to L1 frequency (from current L5 and S bands) as it will increase the use of NavIC in wearable devices and personal trackers. |
| Applications | NavIC is being used in public vehicle tracking, emergency warning alerts for fishermen, and tracking and providing information related to natural disasters. |
| Other global navigation systems | Global Positioning System (GPS) of the U.S.A; Galileo from the European Union;
Russia’s GLONASS; China’s Beidou; QZSS covers the Asia-Oceania region, with a focus on Japan. |
