InDIAn sPACe ReseARCH oRGAnIsAtIon

Technology Tranfer & Industry Cooperation

Contents
1. Chemical 05 HTV EP 411 Vulcanizing Epoxy Adhesive 53
Film Adhesive EFA 4330 07 Shape Memory Polymers for Smart Actuators 54
High Emissivity Coating Hesc 29 08 Glass Filled Nylon Nozzle Closure 55
Light Weight Ablative Thermal Protection System 09 Non Conductive White Paint and
Flame Retardant Coating Sesco 125 10 Grey Antistatic Coating-GCC50 56

Adhesive Adbond Epg 2601 11 Polyimide Films 57

Adbond Epp 3521 and Adbond Pn 2901 13 Polyimide Pipeline 58
Silcem R9 14 2. Electronics 59
Adhesive Csnm 0102 15 V Band Low Noise Amplifier 61
Benzoxazine Polymer 17 L Band True Time Delay Phase Shifter 62
Epifil 9661 Resin 18 C Band DC BIAS I/Q Mixer 63
PMC 30 19 OBC ASIC 8 bit Micro Controller 64
Waterproofing Compound Rwpc 03 20 Power Conditioning and Processing Unit 65
Gold Plating Process 21 Space Qualified C-Band MMIC’S 66
Micro Arc Oxidation Process for Magnesium Alloys 23 Transmit Receive Module for Radar Applications 68
Pulse Hard Anodization Process 25
Amplitude Tilt Active Equaliser 69
Room Temperature Low Voltage Hard AnodizationProcess 27
ALC Driver Amplifier 70
Silver Plating Process on Aluminum Alloy 29
64 Channel Analog Multiplexer 71
30
Microwave Linearizer 72
31
C/Ku Ortho Mode Transducer 73
32
Light Emitting Diodes 74

34 C-Band Active Radar Calibrator 75

36 15 watt SSPA 76

38 Control Circuit for Diode based RF Circuit 78

39 Two Channel Monopulse Tracking Receiver 79

43 Miniaturized High Frequency DC-DC Converter 80
44 Intrinsic Safe Module 81
FPGA based Digital Demodulator 82
46 Programmable IF Matrix 84
47 Microwave Passive Devices 86
48 D.C. Field Coils for 16T Force Capacity Water Cooled
Electro Dynamic Shaker 88
49
MMIC True Time Delay Phase Shifter Circuit 90
50
Safety Ohm Meter 91
51
52 Solid State Recorder 92
3. Mechanical and 5. Antenna 153
Materials 95 Dual Polarized, S&X Band Monopulse-
Method of Welding Thin Wire 97 Feed for Tracking LEO Satellites 155
Precision Tapping Attachment 98 Multi-Layer Printed Antenna Technology 157
DK 18 Ceramic 99 Near Field Test Range Facility (NFTR) 159
BMT Ceramic 100 High Power Compatible Passive Inter-Modulation
Free Focal Plane Helix Feed Array Antenna 160
Silica Fibre 101
Unified Hybrid Horn Antenna 161
Silica Granule 102
Pressure Regulator with Double Controls 103 6. Application Technology 163
Vertical Turning Mill Upgradation Tech. 104 Ground Penetration Radar 165
Pressurisation Valve for GH2 Application 106 Photosynthesis Irradiance Incubator 166
Telescopic Chatter Free Poppet Check Valve 108 Elastic Raman LIDAR (ERL) 167
Compact Pilot Operated Command Valve with Lower Atmospheric Wind Profiling (LAWP) Radar 170
Self Aligning Poppets 110 Pico Satellite Orbital Deployer (POD) 173
In-Line Disc Fabrication Tech. 112 Detection of Landslides from
CAN type Kerosene-Air based Gas Generator 113 High Resolution Optical Satellite Data 174
Thick Walled Pneumatic Vibration Isolators 114 Distress Alert Transmitter 177
Sit On Umbilicals for Remote Fluid Servicing 116 Cloud and Aerosol LIDAR (CAL) 179
Method of Producing NiTi base Shape Memory Alloys 118
7. software 181
Elasto Magnetic Abrasive Spheres for Super Fine Finishing 120 Phantom Connectivity 183
High Density Carbon Foams 122 Satellite Photogrammetry Software SAPHIRE C 184
Innovative Mass Measurement Mechanism 124 LDPCC Code for GNSS Application 186
Vibration Management Solution 125 Virtualisation of Software for Expert Display 189
High Pressure Seeder for Flow Dignostics of Centralised Data Monitoring System 190
High Speed Gaseous Flows 127
e-SMART 192
Axially Grooved Aluminium Ammonia Heat Pipes 129
A Message Driven System for
Hydrogen Peroxide based Gas Generator System 131 Business Process Workflow Automation 194

4. Sensors 133 FEAST 196

Thermocouple Probe (HLP 85) Temp. Sensor 135 MIL-STD-1553 Remote Terminal IP 197
Fibre Optic Liquid Level Detector 137
contact(s) 199
Ultrasonic Liquid Level Sensor 140
PTS 84 Temperature Sensor 142
Differential Pressure Transducer 144
Absolute Pressure Sensing (21 NA) Transducer 146
Integral Diaphragm (IDLV) Pressure Transducer 148
Slurry Temperature Sensing System 150
Fine Temperature Control through
Thyristor Control System 151
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note

Chemical

5
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

FILM ADHESIVE EFA 4330

(STRUCTURAL ADHESIVE FOR HONEYCOMB
SANDWICH FABRICATION)
EFA 4330 is a adhesive developed by Indian Space Research Organisation at its Vikram
Sarabhai Space Centre. Film adhesives are widely used for fabrication of honeycomb
sub-structures both metallic and composite type. They find extensive application in
aerospace due to light weight and the high strength offered to the joint. They can
also be used in shipping and boat manufacturing industry for fabrication of sandwich
structures and other composite assemblies.

salient featUres
• Accommodate vehicle sway of ±1mm
• One-component, heat curable,
toughened, high strength polymer
film adhesive
• Heat curable (175°C & 125°C type)
• Ensures filleting (pore filling) during
Schematic of Film adhesive bonding
curing, leading to very high bond in Honeycomb fabrication
strength in honeycomb sandwich.
• Space qualified

properties Values
Thickness,µ 100 ±10
Areal density(gsm) 180 ±10 & 100±10
Lap shear strength at 25°C (Al/Al), MPa 32 – 34
LSS at 100°C (Al/Al), MPa 26 – 28
LSS at-196°C(Al/Al), MPa 26 – 28
LSS after Humidity Exposure (Al/Al, MPa) 28 – 30
Honeycomb Flat wise tensile strength at 25°C , MPa 4.5 – 5
TML 0.642
CVCM 0.026

7
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

High Emissivity
Coating-HESC-29
Indian Space Research Organisation at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC)
has developed a number of specialty coatings to meet the specific requirements
in Launch Vehicles and Satellites. These coatings may also find various industrial
applications. One such coating system is HESC- 29.

HESC 29 is a special coating system developed as a high temperature resistant

enamel coating. This coating finds application as a high solar emissive topcoat on
polymer composite surfaces. It is also used as a high emissive and thermal insulative
coating on the PCB sensor cards for specific applications. This room temperature
curable, silicone based coating system contains special inorganic fillers, which
imparts high emissivity to the system. It can withstand temperatures in the range
of 80 to 280oC. ISRO requires about 30 to 50kg of this compound per annum. Other
applications of HESC-29 include anticorrosion and weather/ rain proof coating
on metallic/ composite substrates. The coating is weather and high temperature
resistant and lasts long. It is a two-part resin system. When the two parts are mixed
together and coated, curing takes place at ambient conditions. It can be easily
coated/brushed on any substrates.

typical properties / Characteristics:

Part A White, viscous
Part B Transparent liquid
Ford cup viscosity (Ford cup No. B 4) 20-40 sec. after diluting with toluene
Adhesion tape test No peeling from substrate.

8
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

LIGHT WEIGHT ABLATIVE

THERMAL PROTECTION SYSTEM
Medium Density Ablative (MDA)
MDA is a low density ablative composite developed for providing effective thermal
protection to a re-entering space capsule, under moderate heat flux conditions
(10-40 W/cm2). MDA, bonded to the Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastics (CFRP) and
aluminium substrates has been successfully used as thermal protection system
(TPS) for the base region of the first Space Capsule Recovery Experiment. This
proprietary TPS is based on an ablative polymer, reinforcing fibre and micro-
balloon fillers, mixed in a specified composition and cured under controlled
compaction to achieve the required density (Final cure temperature: 180°C). This
composite will be machined to the design requirements and bonded to the aero
thermo structure (ATS) using

typical properties
Property Typical Results
Density (g/cc) 0.5
Compressive strength (MPa) 8 to 12 MPa
Thermal conductivity (W/mK) 0.12
Specific heat (j/g/°K) 1.2
Coefficient of thermal expansion 25 x10-6
(50-1500 C) / 0 C
Shelf life: 3 years at ambient temperature in an environment free from moisture and dust.

appliCation
• Lightweight thermo-structural material for thermal protection & insulation

9
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

Flame Retardant Coating

SESCO 125
Indian Space Research Organization at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre has
developed SESCO 125, a flame retardant coating for launch pedestal and related
applications. SESCO 125 is a flame resistant coating based on polysiloxane. It is a
two part system. Resin hardens on mixing both parts at room temperature.

salient featUres
• Two part siloxane based system containing suitable fillers
• Imparts excellent flame retardancy Heat curable (175°C & 125°C type)
• Flame retardant coating for launch pedestals. It is weather resistant and water
repellent. It can be used for general purpose too.

Properties Results
Colour and appearance Grey,
(procured resin) viscous
Viscosity at 30° CPs 4000 Ps
Cure schedule at RT (25° ± 5° C)
Gelation Time, minutes 20
Cure Time, hours 24
Properties of cured system
Density, g/cc 1.55-1.65
Tensile strength at 25°C, ksc 9-13
Elongation at 25°C, % 100-180
Lap shear strength at 25°C,ksc: 5-10
Limiting oxygen index, % 33-43

10
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

Adhesive Adbond EPG 2601

(High viscous adhesive paste for
structural bonding)
Adbond EPG 2601 is a adhesive developed by Indian Space Research Organisation
at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. Adbond EPG 2601 is a high strength ambient
curing toughened epoxy adhesive with good elevated temperature properties.
They can find application for structural bonding of metallic, composite and ceramic
structures.

salient featUres
• Two part Room Temperature Setting adhesive system containing urethane-
epoxy with special fillers
• Cure achieved by mixing resin with the curative at ambient temperature
• Excellent strength adhesive for metal/ceramics/composite bonding
• Very low out-gassing; Excellent thermal conductivity and electrical insulation
properties
• Adhesively bonded joint capable of withstanding thermal shock and thermal
cycling.
• Space qualified

11
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

properties results
Adbond EPG-2601; Part-A:
Colour and appearance Black paste
Viscosity at 30° C, ps 3000
Adbond EPG-2601; Part-B:
Colour and appearance Brown viscous liquid
Viscosity at 30° C, (Sp. No. S21, RPM-0.5), Ps 400
Pot life at 30° C, minutes 45
Cure schedule at RT (25° ± 5° C)
Handling strength, hrs 48
Full strength, day 4
Properties of cured adhesive
Specific gravity at 25° C 1.45
Hardness (Shore-D) 73
Thermal conductivity at 80° C, cal/cm.s.°C 1 x 10-3
Coefficient of thermal expansion [below Tg], /° C, 5 x10-5
Out-gassing properties:
a) TML-WVR, % ≤ 1.0
b) CVCM, % ≤ 0.1
Lap shear strength [LSS] [on Al –Al at 25°C], MPa 22 – 24
LSS at 125°C on Al/Al, MPa 16 – 18
LSS [ksc] on Al-Al at 25°C after humidity exposure, MPa 22 – 24
LSS [ksc] on Al-Al at 25°C after thermo-vacuum exposure 22 – 24

12
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

ADBOND EPP-3521
and ADBOND PN 2901
Indian Space Research Organization at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre has
developed adhesives ADBOND EPP 3521 and ADBOND PN 2901.

ADBOND EPP 3521 is a rubber based adhesive system developed for mounting
various electronic systems to the structural elements. It is having very good thermal
conductivity with good electrical insulation property and also posses very low out
gassing characteristics.This is an elastomer modified epoxy system consisting of
insulative oxide filler in high concentration with silane coupling agent to provide
electrical insulation and thermal conductivity.ADBOND EPP 3521 will find usage
in electric/ electronic gadgets manufacturing areas where potting/ bonding with
good thermal dissipation and electrical insulation are warranted.

Adbond PN 2901 adhesive has been developed to serve bonding of Velcro to

metal surfaces. The adhesive formulation is based on a reactive blend of rubbers,
phenolic resins, epoxy resins and tackifiers in a suitable solvent mixture and is
attained after the cure under ambient conditions. The adhesive joint withstands
the space environmental conditions.

13
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

SILCEM R9
RTV SILICONE SINGLE COMPONENT ADHESIVE
Indian Space Research Organisation at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre has
developed SILCEM R9 , a room temperature curable single component adhesive
based on polysiloxane for multipurpose bonding applications. This system contains
polysiloxane, fillers and curing components mixed under dehumidified conditions
and filled inside squeeze tubes for ready to use on exposure to humid air, it hardens
by itself to a solid rubbery mass.

salient featUres
• Single component siloxane based system containing fillers and special curing
components.
• Room temperature curable on exposure to humid air. Safe inside the tube
• Easy to apply. Simply squeeze and apply
• Supplied in ready-to -use squeeze tubes of 100-150 g capacity
• Meets the aerospace quality standards

Properties Unit Value

Density ( Hardened Mass) g/cc 1.25 - 1.35
Tensile strength @ RT ksc 22 - 42
Tensile strength @120°C ksc 518 - 35
Elongation @RT % 225 - 350
Elongation@120°C % 110-300
Lap shear strength @ RT Ksc 13-30
Lap shear strength @ 120°C Ksc 13-28
Thermal conductivity at W/ m.K 0.25-0.5
100°C
Hardness Shore A 45 - 60

14
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

Adhesive CSNM 0102

(Structural Adhesive
for Cryogenic Applications)
CSNM 0102 is a adhesive developed by Indian Space Research Organisation at
its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. Adhesive CSNM 0102 is a special type of epoxy
resin for cryogenic structural/thermocouple bonding. It is a two part epoxy- amine
system and hardens on mixing Part A and Part B at room temperature.

salient featUres
• Two part Toughened Epoxy adhesive containing speciality fillers
• Cure achieved by mixing two parts in the given ratio at ambient temperatures
• Imparts excellent thermal conductivity
• High strength adhesive for metal/ceramics/composite bonding
• Suitable for bonding of thermocouples of room temperature and cryogenic
applications
• Space qualified

15
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

Properties Results
CSNM 0102 Part-A:
Colour and appearance Grey viscous liquid
Viscosity at 30° C, ps 340
CSNM 0102 Part-B:
Colour and appearance Brown liquid
Viscosity at 30° C, ps 60
Pot life at 25° C, minutes 60
Cure schedule at RT (25° ± 5° C)
Handling strength, hrs 24
Full strength, day 3
Properties of cured adhesive
Specific gravity at 25° C 1.11
Hardness (Shore-D) 72-74
Thermal conductivity at 80° C, cal/cm.s.°C 6.7 x 10-4
Coefficient of thermal expansion, /° C, (25- 7.5 x10-5
60° C range)
Lap shear strength on Al –Al, ksc
i) At RT 220-230
ii) At 473 K ( 200°C) 20-30
iii) At 77 K (LN2) 140-160
iv) At 20 K (-253°C) 130-150
v) At RT, [after thermal shock 17-190
(77 K to 300 K,)]

16
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

Benzoxazine Polymer
Indian Space Research Organisation at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre has
developed Benzoxazine Polymer, a matrix resin suitable for thermal insulations,
adhesive formulations and encapsulant in PCB industry.

Polybenzoxazine is a suitable candidate matrix resin for high density ablative

composites and also for light weight foam composites in aerospace applications due
to excellent thermal and thermo-oxidative stability, high char yield, good chemical
inertness, abrasion resistance and flame retardancy. It also finds application as an
encapsulant in electronic industry.

salient featUres
• Excellent flame retardancy
• Easily processable (solventless process, moderate temperature)
• Good thermal stability

Product appearance Yellowish orange powder

Raw materials Bisphenol A, aniline and paraformaldehyde
Method Solventless process
Reaction temperature 120 °C
Solubility Acetone, chloroform etc.
Curing 210 °C/3 hrs
Catalyst Not needed
Thermal stability >250 °C
Shelf life 1 year
Storage Ambient temperature, moisture-free
environment
Production cost (approx.) Rs.1000/kg

17
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

EPIFIL 9661 Resin

Indian Space Research Organisation at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre has
developed Cryo adhesive, EPIFIL 9661 for polyimide pipe fabrication by helical
winding of polyimide film on a mandrel. Pipe lines fabricated using the adhesive
withstood various qualification tests for pressure, cryo propellant exposure, leak,
deflection, vibration, burst pressure etc. at room temperature and also at cryo
temperature conditions. The adhesive is presently used to bond the metallic
(SS321) end fittings in the polyimide pipes for transporting liquid hydrogen and
liquid oxygen.

This adhesive system has low viscosity, long pot life, ambient cure and flexibility
and is capable of bonding polyimide film/ steel/ fibre-glass, required for the
fabrication of polyimide pipes. EPIFIL 9661 also finds application as the matrix
resin for making filament-winding application on the liquid oxygen side polyimide
pipeline using Kevlar as the fabric.

18
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

PMC-30
Indian Space Research Organisation at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre has
developed PMC 30, a room temperature curable silicone based coating system,
containing micro-balloons and other fillers, which imparts low thermal diffusivity
to the system. It is used as Thermal Protection System in Heat shield of PSLV, GSLV
and cryo tank insulation.

proCessing of pmC-30
(LOT SIZE: 500 KG)
• Preparation of premix in dual speed mixer
• Blending of micro balloons and premix in sigma mixer

typical properties / characteristics:

Color and consistency
Part A Red colored, dough material
Part B transparent
Density 0.6 g/ cc

19
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

Waterproofing Compound
RWPC-03
RWPC-03 is a waterproofing compound developed by Indian Space Research
Organisation at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre for the waterproofing of silica
foam tiles and for silica felt/fabric based flexible insulation.

It is an alkoxy silane based system, processed by controlled hydrolysis of siloxanes

and is environment friendly. The treatment involves applying an aqueous solution
of the organo-polysiloxane waterproofing agent on the substrate (preferably
glass and silica based) and heating them to form a waterproofed article. In the
case of silica tiles and silica felt/fabrics, water absorption could be brought down
from 350% to <1.5% using this compound. It can potentially be used as general
purpose water proofing compound for silica based components including
composites.

typical properties / characteristics:

Color and consistency of RWPC-03 Transparent liquid
Water absorption of water proofed silica tile <1.5 % by weight
Water absorption of water proofed flexible <2% by weight
insulation

20
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
ISAC

GOLD PLATING PROCESS

Indian Space Research Organisation at its ISRO Satellite Centre(ISAC) has developed
a novel gold plating process which will find wide commercial and industrial
applications.

Gold is a relatively scarce noble metal. The metal does not form a coherent oxide
film on its surface even at very high temperature and therefore, it has a very low
contact resistant. Gold electroplating process offers a means to obtain long lasting
decorative finishes, improved electric contact and conductivity , stable thermo-
optical properties etc. Gold electroplating process offers a means to obtain long
lasting surface finishes, improved electric contact and conductivity etc.

salient featUres
• Cyanide based, pulse plating technology
• Undercoat of electroless nickel and withstands temperature cycling of -196oC
to +150oC
• Stable thermo-optical properties (Infra-red emissivity of 0.03)

appliCation
• Decorative (Jewellery, cutlery, fancy goods etc.)
• Engineering / Industrial
• In electronics, to provide a corrosion-resistant electrically conductive
layer on copper, typically in electrical connectors and printed circuit
boards (copper laminated fiber board substrates).
• Pure gold plating is used in semiconductor industry (over copper
interconnects, HMCc, silicon etc).
• Gold plating offers good corrosion resistance, good solderability and has
a very good wear resistance. Hence it is used in electrical switch contacts,
connector pins and barrels, and other applications where intermittent
electrical contact occurs .
• Gold plating is practiced in aerospace application mainly for
• Passive thermal control application. Thermal control is achieved by using
thermo optical properties of gold.

21
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
ISAC

• To enhance the electrical conductivity of the surface

• Microwave integrated circuits (MICs) fabrication
• Corrosion resistance (during storage time prior to launch)

appliCaBle international standard

plating process standards
Gold Plating Process MIL-DTL-45204D, TYPE III,
GRADe A
Electroless Nickel ASTM – B656 -91
Process ASTM – B 733 -86

sUitaBle sUBstrates
• Aluminum and its alloys
• Kovar
• Stainless Steel
• Copper and its alloys
• Be-Cu
• PCBs

Coating speCifiCation
5± 1 μ (Gold)
THICKNESS
5 to 10 1 μ (Ni-P)
MICROHARDNESS ≅ 80 – 100 HV
IR EMITTANCE ( ε IR ) < 0.05
SOLAR ABSORPTANCE ( α
≈ 0.20
S)

22
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
ISAC

MICRO ARC OXIDATION PROCESS

FOR MAGNESIUM ALLOYS
Indian Space Research Organisation at its ISRO Satellite Centre(ISAC) has developed
a micro arc oxidation process for magnesium alloys which will find wide commercial
and industrial applications.

Magnesium and its alloys are rapidly becoming the material of choice across
a wide cross section of industries such as aerospace, automotive, consumer
electronics, defence and biomaterials. The traditional problems of magnesium
are its susceptibility to corrosion and poor wear/scratch resistance. Micro Arc
Oxidation (MAO), also known as Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) or Spark
anodization is relatively a new surface treatment technique, which uses a high
voltage, high current process to obtain a hard, corrosion resistant oxide coating
on the surface of metal surface. This produces a hard, dense ceramic like coating
formed on magnesium alloy surface have a superior corrosion control properties
comparable to stainless steel. In addition, the coating offers better thermo-optical
properties, abrasion/ wear resistant properties.

salient featUres
• High voltage, high current process, which is carried out at +25oC with an AC
power supply
• Hard ceramic like coating with superior corrosion resistant and abrasion /
wear resistant properties
• Green Process and no pre-cleaning of component needed
• Tailor-able coating thickness and hardness

23
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
ISAC

appliCation(s)
MAO coatings find application in the various engineering industry for components,
which require corrosion resistant and very high wear resistant surface such as pistons,
cylinders, and hydraulic gear and for variety of components in aerospace industry.
These coatings also improve the tribological properties of the components. These
coating are also used in various components of automobile industries to improve
their durability, corrosion resistance and heat radiation characteristics. It also
offers high heat resistance. Components coated with thick MAO film can withstand
unusually high temperature for a short duration. Also, the high insulation value of
coating makes it useful in developing a dielectric layer with a breakdown strength
of about 25 -30 V/micron thick coating. This coating is also used in Mobile phones
and laptop casing.

appliCaBle international standard

• MIL-M-3171 C (Magnesium alloys, Processes for pretreatment and prevention
of corrosion)
• MIL-M-45202C (Magnesium alloys, Anodic treatment)

sUitaBle alUminUm alloys

• AZ31B

Coating speCifiCation
ASTM-B-244 Eddy Current
Thickness (micron ) 25±5 micron
method
ASTM-E 384, Diamond
Microhardness (HV) ≥ 300
Indenter
Insulation value
At 700 V range, DC ≥ 3 GΩ
(Electrical)
(Rp (corrosion resistance) 5.95 X 105 Ω
Corrosion properties value measured by Electro-
chemical workstation) .cm2

24
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
ISAC

PULSE HARD ANODIZATION

PROCESS
Indian Space Research Organisation at its ISRO Satellite Centre(ISAC) has developed
a pulse hard anodization process which will find commercial and industrial
applications.

Hard anodizing process produces a thick ceramic like coatings on Aluminum and its
alloys. The micro hardness of the coating is more than 250 HV. These dense anodic
coatings are usually thick by normal anodizing standards, and they are produced
using special anodizing conditions. The thickness range is usually between 25
and 250 µm. The hard anodic oxide coatings produced under special conditions
have high hardness values and very good abrasion resistance compared to normal
anodic coating.

salient featUres
• Pulse hard anodizing process is carried out at +10oC compared to
conventional hard anodizing process, which is carried out at -5oC, thus saving
a considerable cooling load
• The burning and powdering problems associated with conventional hard
anodizing process are eliminated

appliCation(s)
• Hard anodic oxide coatings find application in the engineering industry for
components where abrasion resistance is the required primary characteristic
of the coating
• Automobile Industry (Pistons, Cylinders, Hydraulic gears)
• Aerospace Industries (Variety of components like sliding / rotating
mechanisms with solid lubricants, Thermal barrier coating, Thermal control
coating etc.)
• Chemical and flame resistant surfaces
• Cooking utensils
• Highly insulating (electrical) dielectric coating

25
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
ISAC

appliCaBle sUitaBle
international alUminUm alloys
standard • AA-6061
• MIL-A-8625F , dated 10.09.1993 (Anodic • AA-7075
Coatings for Aluminum and Aluminum • AA 1100
Alloys) – Type III
• AA2024
• AA 2219

Coating speCifiCation
Thickness (micron ) ASTM-B-244 Eddy Current method 60±10 micron
Microhardness (HV) ASTM-E 384, Diamond Indenter 250 - 500
Insulation value (Electrical) 10-100 V range, DC 30-1.5 GΩ

Comparison with conventional hard anodizing process

Conventional Pulse Hard
Processing Parameters Advantages
Hard Anodizing Anodizing
Considerable saving in cooling load
and cost.
Temperature (°C) -5 ±2 10 ±2 Solution conductivity is better
and permits higher current density
processing.
Current Density(A.ft-2) 35 ±5 45 ±5 Faster, better and harder coating
Heating at the interface of
Component & electrolyte is
Voltage (V) 24 -90 16 - 32 eliminated.
Burning problem is eliminated
The time taken to build up a
thickness of 50-70 microns is halved.
Time (min) 80 -120 40-60
Results in harder coating without
powdering.
Properties of the Coating
Thickness (micron ) 60±10
Microhardness (HV) 250-350 250 - 500 Better and harder coating
Insulation value 30-2.5 GΩ 30-1.5 GΩ Comparable
Coff. Of friction 0.3 to 0.5 0.3 to 0.4 Comparable
Corrosion resistance
18.7 X 106 11.1 X 106 Comparable
(R p in Ω .cm2)

26
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
ISAC

ROOM TEMPERATURE
LOW VOLTAGE HARD
ANODIZATION PROCESS
Indian Space Research Organisation at its ISRO Satellite Centre(ISAC) has
developed a room temperature low voltage hard anodization process which will
find commercial and industrial applications.

Hard anodizing process produces a thick ceramic like coatings on Aluminum

and its alloys. The micro hardness of the coating is more than 250 HV. These
dense anodic coatings are usually thick by normal anodizing standards, and
they are produced using special anodizing conditions. The thickness range is
usually between 25 and 250 µm. The hard anodic oxide coatings produced under
special conditions have high hardness values and very good abrasion resistance
compared to normal anodic coating.

salient featUres appliCation(s)

• Room Temperature, low Hard anodic oxide coatings find application
voltage hard anodizing in the engineering industry for components
is a novel and innovative where abrasion resistance is the required
process, which is carried primary characteristic of the coating.
out at +25oC compared
to conventional hard • Automobile Industry (Pistons, Cylinders,
anodizing process carried Hydraulic gears)
out at -5oC, thus saving a • Aerospace Industries (Variety of
huge cooling load. components like sliding / rotating
• The burning and mechanisms with solid lubricants,
powdering problems Thermal barrier coating, Thermal control
associated with coating etc.)
conventional hard • Chemical and flame resistant surfaces
anodizing process are • Cooking utensils
eliminated • Highly insulating (electrical) dielectric
coating

27
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
ISAC

appliCaBle international sUitaBle alUminUm

standard alloys
• MIL-A-8625F , dated 10th September • AA-6061
1993 (Anodic Coatings for Aluminum • AA-7075
and Aluminum Alloys) – Type III • AA 1100
Coating speCifiCation
Thickness (micron ) ASTM-B-244 Eddy Current method 60±10 micron
Microhardness (HV) ASTM-E 384, Diamond Indenter 250 - 500
Insulation value (Electrical) 10-100 V range, DC 30-1.5 GΩ

Comparison with conventional hard anodizing process

Conventional Pulse Hard
Processing Parameters Advantages
Hard Anodizing Anodizing
Considerable saving in cooling
load and cost.
Temperature (°C) -5 ±2 25 ±2 Soluttion conductivity is
better and permits higher
current density processing.
Faster, better and harder
Current Density(A.ft-2) 35 ±5 60 ±5 coating
Heating at the interface of
Component & electrolyte is
Voltage (V) 24 -90 14 - 20 eliminated.
Burning problem is
eliminated
Considerable saving in
production time and hence
Time (min) 80 -120 30-40 more throughput.
Results in harder coating
without powdering.
Properties of the Coating
Thickness (micron ) 60±10
Microhardness (HV) 250-350 250 - 500 Better and harder coating
Insulation value 30-2.5 GΩ 30-1.5 GΩ Comparable
Coff. Of friction 0.3 to 0.5 0.2 to 0.3 better lubricating properties
Corrosion resistance
18.7 X 106 6.7 X 106 Comparable
(Rp in Ω .cm2)

28
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
ISAC

SILVER PLATING PROCESS ON

ALUMINUM ALLOY
Indian Space Research Organisation at its ISRO Satellite Centre(ISAC) has developed
a silver plating process which will find commercial and industrial applications.

Aluminum and its alloys are used extensively in aerospace industries due to its low
density and good mechanical properties. Silver has highest electrical conductivity.
The silver plating on aluminium alloy components such as RF filters improves surface
conductivity and hence reduces the insertion losses. As the silver is prone to tarnish
due to oxidation and reaction with sulphur containing media, gold plating of about
1 micron thick is plated over silver to prevent tarnishing.
salient featUres appliCation
• Cyanide based, pulse plating technology • Decorative (Jewellery, cutlery,
• Undercoat of electroless nickel or copper fancy goods etc.)
depending on the application • Engineering / Industrial
• A superficial overcoat of gold to prevent To enhance the electrical
silver from tarnishing conductivity of the surface

appliCaBle international standard

plating process standards
ASTM-B-700
Silver Plating Process
QQ-S-365D (fed)
ASTM – B656 -91
Electroless Nickel Process ASTM – B 733 -86

sUitaBle sUBstrates
• Aluminum and its alloys  

Coating speCifiCation
5 ± 2 μ (silver)
THICKNESS
5 to 10 1 μ (Ni-P)
MICROHARDNESS ≅ HVQQ-S-365D (fed)

29
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

SILVER PLATING ON
WAVEGUIDES
Indian Space Research Organisation at its Space Applications Centre (SAC),
Ahmedabad, has developed a process to carry out silver plating in aluminium
waveguide. It is an intricate process considering the complexity and shape of the
component. Uniform deposition (inside & outside) throughout the component is
achieved using this process. Silver plated waveguides are used in communication
payloads of satellites. Silver plating on Aluminium is required to obtain good
RF performance. Silver provides the best known electrical conductivity and is
solderable.

pre reQUisites
• Industry must possess basic
electroplating know how.
• Industry must possess electroplating set
up including baths, anodes, power
supply etc.

speCifiCations
• Electroless Nickel Plating Thickness :
6 to 8 microns
• Silver Plating Thickness : 5 to 8 microns

30
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

Thermal Control Coating

Indian Space Research Organisation at its Space Applications Centre (SAC),
Ahmedabad, has qualified the process of thermal control coating for spacecraft
subsystem component made of materials such as Anodized Aluminium, Chromated
Aluminium, Bare Aluminium, Electroless Nickel Plated Invar, Bare Invar, Silver
Plated Aluminium, Chromated Magnesium, Black Anodic Coated Magnesium etc
for use in space industry. Black paint is utilized on the interior of spacecraft to
facilitate radiant heat transfer among internal components. The process will find
wide commercial and special applications.

Commonly used space qualified paints are available in two colours – Black & White.
The Thermo Optical properties of Thermal Control Coatings are given below:

Coating Type Emissivity (ε) Solar Absorptive (ά) ά/ε

Black 0.90 0.90 1.00
White 0.85 0.20 0.23

speCifiCations
Total Mass Loss (TML) : ≤1.0 %

Collected Volatile
Condensable Material
(CVCM) : ≤0.1 %

Colour : Black & White

Appearance : Flat / Matt Finish

Dry Film Thickness (DFT) : 50 to 70 micron

pre reQUisites
• Industry must possess painting know how
• Conditioned thermal painting booth(s) and painting guns

31
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

Heat Curable Epoxy Film

Adhesive Composition
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
(VSSC) has developed a large number of adhesives to meet specific requirements
in Launch Vehicles and Spacecraft applications. These adhesives may also find
industrial applications.

Heat curable epoxy film adhesive is one such adhesive which has the unique
characteristics for film formation and provides excellent bonding between diverse
adherents. The properties can be fine tuned to meet specific applications. The
filleting characteristics of the resin provide excellent bonding between corrugated,
uneven adherent surfaces and is especially suited for honeycomb faces. It provides
adhesive strength that is retained up to 120° C.

speCifiCations
Diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A,
Raw materials
Novolac epoxy, Dicyandiamide
Method Solvent based process
Reaction temperature 190° C for making modified resins
Product appearance Grey colored thin film
Solubility Soluble in ethyl methyl ketone
Curing Autocatalytic curing
Curing temperature 175° C for 2 hours
Thermal stability > 300
Shelf life 1 year
Storage -18° C
Approximate Production cost
6000 per m2
(Rs.)

32
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

Film Adhesive Roll Filleting Characteristic

appliCation(s)
Useful for fabrication of different honeycomb composite structures for aerospace,
wind energy, naval industries etc.

33
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

Silicone Polymer based Low

Density Syntactic Foam
TPS-SSF P70
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
(VSSC) has developed technologies for processing and application of different
types of silicone polymer based Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) with tailored
properties to meet various mission/application requirements.

SSF P70 is a low density Thermal Protection System (TPS) based on silicone polymer,
with microballoon and other fillers as compounding ingredients. This Thermal
Protection System is room temperature curable and can be applied by brushing and
spraying techniques. The remarkable features of this system includes low density
of 0.38 g/cc, lower thermal conductivity, high specific heat, good ageing resistance
and compatibility with wide variety of substrates.

The processing involves incorporation of selected quality fillers and ingredients

in specific type of silicone polymer resin and use of suitable curatives to achieve
desired thermo-physical properties.

salient featUres
• Simplified and cost effective technology for processing premium quality
Thermal Protection System
• Room temperature curable
• Flexibility with respect to application procedure such as spraying and brushing
• Compatibility with wide variety of substrates including metals, composites etc.
• Excellent ageing behaviour, making it suitable for long term application with
no deterioration of properties for more than two years
• The system can be applied to desired thickness depending upon the thermal
environment envisaged. Reasonable mechanical strength and adhesive
properties with large number of substrates has been demonstrated by the
system

34
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

• Ability to retain properties at temperatures up to 150 oC and low temperature

flexibility, owing to the low glass transition characteristics associated with
silicone polymers

appliCation(s)
• Useful for light weight, high quality Thermal Protection System for
temperatures up to 300 oC direct exposure with reasonable stability and
capability to retain properties.
• The product can be used for thermal protection application for protecting
launch vehicle and related hardware from aerodynamic heating where light
weight Thermal Protection System is required and also as moisture / water
impermeable coatings.
• The system can be tailored for use as coating on metal substrates for outdoor
use.

35
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

PEDCOAT Liner System

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
(VSSC) has developed a number of polymers and polymer based products for
meeting specific requirements in Launch Vehicles and spacecraft applications.
Some of these products may also find industrial applications. ‘PEDCOAT’, a solid
propellant motor liner system based on Hydroxyl Terminated Poly Butadiene (HTPB)
resin and carbon black filler is one such item. PEDCOAT liner composition used
for solid motor application is realised in two steps - the liner premix production
and final mixing of pre-mix with the curative. Mixing with curative is done as per
requirements prior to the application on to the solid motor insulator. Final product
being a urethane based system, necessary precautions are to be taken to control
the moisture content in the product during processing and storage.

speCifiCations
HTPB Resin, Tri Methylol Propane (TMP),
Raw materials Carbon Black, Vanadium Pentoxide, Di butyl
Tin Dilaurate (DBTDL)
TMP melting, mixing of appropriate
Method quantities of ingredients as per the approved
sequence, stirring under heating in a reactor
Reaction
70-90 oC.
temperature
Product appearance Black colored, slurry type
Curing temperature Room Temperature
Shelf life 1 year
Storage Ambient storage in sealed condition

36
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

maJor maChinery reQUired for premiX

A reactor for making the pre mix - a jacketed vessel provided with twin speed
agitators (one low speed and other high speed, ~ 25 rpm & 705 rpm), hot oil
circulation jacket and evacuation facility.

testing eQUipments
Standard equipments for analysis of raw materials and products- viscosity, specific
gravity, particle size, purity analysis etc. Moisture testing is carried out using Karl
Fisher method.

37
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

Polyimide Film
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
(VSSC) has developed a number of polyimide materials, catering to specific
applications in launch vehicles and satellites. Polyimide is a versatile and strategic
material finding many industrial applications. Polyimide remains stable over a
wide range of temperature, from -273 deg C to +400 deg C, making it suitable for
electrical insulation at low thermal gradient. Polyimide films also find application
in flexible printed circuits. The technology can be suitably customised for meeting
specific requirements such as adhesives, sealant, coating and potting compound.

ISRO offers the technology for the preparation of Polyamic Acid and production of
Polyimide Film of 2.50 m X 1.20 m size with thickness ranging from 25 microns to
150 microns.

typiCal properties / CharaCteristiCs

Color and Consistency Yellowish
Shelf Life > 7 years
Tensile Strength > 14,000 psi (>985 ksc)
Tear Strength > 7 N (50 micron)
> 4 N (25 micron)
Elongation > 20 % (50 micron)
> 15 % (25 micron)
Electrical Resistance 100 Mohm at 500 V DC
Dielectric Strength 5-6 KV/mil
Volume Resistivity 7.8 X 1014 ohm cm
Thermo Gravimetric Analysis Stable upto 500 deg C
Collected Volatile Condensable Matter < 0.1 %
Total Mass Loss <1%

38
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

Surface Treatment
Technology
(Silver plating, Gold plating, Electroless Nickel
plating, Anodizing and Chromating)

Indian Space Research Organisation at its Space Applications Centre (SAC) has
developed electroplating and electroless plating processes for space hardware
to achieve required surface engineering properties like EMI/EMC, electrical
conductivity , non-conductivity, corrosion protection, solderability ,emissivity and
making a good base for Thermal Control Coatings. These processes are qualified
for space use with very tight tolerances and subjected to various tests like visual
inspection, adhesion test, environmental tests, and engineering property specific
tests confirming to ASTM and MIL standards.

silVer plating on alUminUm 6061t6

• Silver Plating on Aluminum 6061-T6 alloy for
electrical conductivity & solderability, corrosion
protection and good base for thermal control
coatings
• Silver plating on Aluminum is used for
components like waveguides, adaptors, HRFs,
filters etc.

39
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

silVer plating on inVar

• Silver Plating on Invar for good electrical
conductivity, solderability and good
base for thermal control coatings
• Silver Plating on Invar is used for
manifolds, cavities, iris and adaptors

silVer plating on Copper

Silver Plating on Copper helix conductors
for solderability to helix antenna and feed
network

gold plating on
alUminUm 6061t6
• Gold plating on Aluminum 6061T6 is
developed and qualified with electroless
nickel undercoat
• Gold plating is required on aluminum
boxes for avoiding EMI and improving
EMC properties and protects them from
corrosion

gold plating on KoVar

• Kovar is used for fabrication of carrier
plates. Gold plating on Kovar is used to
improve solderability of gold plated alumina
substrates onto carrier plates
• Gold plating on Kovar is optimized to
achieve required solderability and corrosion
protection with less gold plating thickness

40
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

gold plating on magnesiUm

• Magnesium AZ31B alloy is one of the space
qualified material which can give weight
reduction advantage over Aluminum 6061T6
• Gold plating on Magnesium AZ31B is
required for EMI/EMC and corrosion
protection
• Magnesium is one of the hard to plate
materials

other gold plating proCesses

• Gold plating SS-304- for electrical
conductivity and corrosion protection
• Gold plating on Invar – for solderability
• Gold plating on phosphorous bronze –
corrosions protection on reeds, shims

eleCtroless niCKel plating

on inVar
• Electroless Nickel Plating on Invar
Optical structures, mirror mounts etc, for
corrosion protection and good base for
thermal control coatings

eleCtroless niCKel plating on

alUminUm 6061t6
• Electroless Nickel Plating on Aluminum
boxes and covers for corrosion protection
and good base for thermal control coatings

41
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

BlaCK anodiZing & Chromating

on alUminUm 6061t6
• Black Anodizing & Chromating on
Aluminum 6061-T6 alloy packages
to achieve high emissivity and solar
absorptivity, nonconductive surface,
corrosion protection on selective area
of packages; chromating on remaining
area for electrical conductivity, corrosion
protection and good base for thermal
control coatings

anodiZing on alUminUm 6061t6

• Anodizing on Aluminum 6061-T6 Alloy for
getting nonconductive surface, corrosion
protection, and good base for Thermal
Control coatings.

42
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

TOUGHENED EPOXY
EPY-PEEKTOH
Indian Space Research Organisation at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) has
developed EPY PEEKTOH toughened epoxy having elevated temperature curing
and single component PEEK toughened epoxy matrix resin. The specialty of the
formulation is high glass transition temperature and low outgassing properties.
This is an ideal matrix resin for processing thick carbon fabric laminates (≥ 30 mm)
without de-lamination.

salient featUres
Elevated temperature curing, high glass transition temperature toughened epoxy
suitable for processing thick carbon fabric laminates.

typiCal properties
Volatile matter at 65°C for 5 hours (%) 0.04
Viscosity at 65°C (poise) 60-80
Shore-D hardness at 30°C > 85
Specific gravity at 30°C 1.1 – 1.4
Flexural strength at 25°C (MPa) 110 – 120
TML-WVR (%) ≤ 1.0
CVCM (%) ≤ 0.1
Glass transition temperature (°C) 210

appliCation(s)
EPY PEEKTOH resin is mainly used for fabrication of YOKE panel hinge insert for
satellites.

43
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

POLYMER BASED ANTI

CORROSION PASTE
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
(VSSC) has developed technologies for processing and application of different
types coatings with tailored properties to meet various mission/application
requirements.

The anti-corrosion paste is a mix of finely blended barium chromate powder

and a water repellent polymer. It is a thick composition with proven no-flow
characteristics in humidity and moderate temperature (100°C) conditions. It
exhibits anti-corrosion properties in salt solution (no signs of corrosion even after
30 days) and also in galvanic corrosion environment.

salient featUres
• High anti-corrosion properties
• Good paste consistency and composition
• Non-drying paste for prolonged use
• No-flow features in severe temperature and humidity exposures
• Inexpensive formulation

appliCation
The paste can be effectively applied in threads or joints and over metallic structures
to effectively prevent corrosion.

44
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

Superhydrophobic Water
Repellant Coatings
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
(VSSC) has developed superhydrophobic coatings. These are prepared from a
combination of polymers and nanoparticles. These coatings possess high water
contact angle (around 160 °) with excellent water roll-off properties. The coatings
can be applied by spraying over different substrates to form good water repellent
coatings.

salient featUres
• High water contact angle
• Extreme water repellency
• Excellent water roll-off properties
• Sprayable (wide area application)
• Economically viable

appliCation(s)
It can find myriad applications in preventing moisture induced corrosion in metals,
water repellent coatings in radomes and dishes, moisture barrier for polymers/
composite structures and to roll-off condensed water from metallic structures.

46
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

NRCM-204 Corrosion
Resistant Coating
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
(VSSC) has developed technologies for corrosion resistant coating material
to meet various mission/application requirements. NRCM-204 is a corrosion
resistant coating material for metals and composites to protect from various
environments like Nitric Oxide, DiNitrogen Tetroxide (N2O4), Mixed Oxides of
Nitrogen, concentrated Nitric Acid (Conc. HNO3) etc. The system is comprised of
inorganic-organic hybrid network consisting of Hydroxy Siloxane, Epoxy-Amine
based Alkoxy Silanes, Crystoballite Silica. Complete curing of the system is
achieved by simultaneous curing of Epoxy-Amine and Hydroxy Siloxane-Alkoxy
Silane in presence of tin based catalyst.

salient featUres
• Ambient temperature curing
• Corrosion resistant material to protect from harsh oxidizing environment

properties
LSS (Al/Al) at RT, ksc ≥ 10
Tensile Strength, ksc ≥ 5
Tensile Modulus, ksc 5 to 15
Elongation (%) 70 to 120

appliCation(s)
NRCM 204 offers a highly corrosive resistant coating which can be coated over
metals and composites for almost all type of corrosion which includes acids,
bases, etc. Conventional polymeric materials will not withstand the highly
corrosive environment.

47
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

Adhesive NREP-9505 and

Primer EATCI-9802
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
(VSSC) has developed adhesive system for bonding natural rubber to metal/
composite. Adheive NREP-9505 and Primer EATCI-9802 are the combination of
room temperature setting epoxy adhesive and primer for bonding natural rubber
to metal/composite. Adhesive NREP-9505 comprises of modified epoxy resin and
modified amine curative compatible to natural rubber. Primer is a solution of an
oxidizing agent to treat rubber surface to improve the adhesion characteristics.

salient featUres
• Ambient temperature curing
• Capable of bonding natural rubber
• High strength adhesive system curing at room temperature for natural rubber
bonding

appliCation(s)
NREP-9505 and EATCI-9802 will find application for bonding natural rubber to
metal/composite.

48
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

Foam Adhesive EFA-4330F

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
(VSSC) has developed EFA 4330F, a single component, foam adhesive for structural
bonding applications. It cures at elevated temperature (175° C for 2 hours) and
forms and fills the honeycomb on lateral bonding applications. The adhesive
comprises of modified epoxy, foaming agents, latent curative and reinforcing
fillers.

UnsUpported film adhesiVe, efa-4330

EFA-4330 Adhesive Roll Multi Satellite Adaptor for PSLV-C20

roperties
Film thickness 2 ± 0.2 mm
Foaming ratio 1:3
Double Lap shear strength (Al/Al) at 25° C (kgf/cm2) 50-70
TML-WVR (%) < 1.0
CVCM (%) < 0.1

appliCation(s)
EFA-4330F foam adhesive is used for fabrication of light-weight honeycomb
structures for satellites / launch vehicles and will find wide applications in other
industries involved in fabrication of honeycomb structures.

49
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

Pressure Sensitive Adhesive

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
(VSSC) has developed pressure sensitive adhesive, which finds wide application
in bonding of subsystem packages and equipment panels in space industry. The
adhesive is a Acrylate based two part system.

Part A: Butyl Acrylate, Acrylic acid and Methyl methacrylate co-polymer

Part B: Butyl acrylate and Glycidyl methacrylate co-polymer

salient featUres
• Peel Strength (Kapton to Kapton) > 5 N/cm
• TML < 1%.
• CVCM< 0.1%

appliCation(s)
The adhesive is extensively used for bonding of subsystem packages and equipment
panels of satellites, solar panel yokes and solar panel connectors of satellites, Multi
Layer Insulation (MLI) in satellite etc. The adhesive may also find wide applications
in other industries dealing with similar products.

50
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

EPNA-07 Epoxy Adhesive

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
(VSSC) has developed EPNA 07, a solventless, rubber toughened, two component
epoxy adhesive. EPNA 07 is a room temperature curing, inherently polarized
rubber toughened epoxy adhesive system enabling good bonding between the
rubber metal interfaces. The adhesive system consists of a cycloaliphatic epoxy
resin, a polarized natural rubber formulation as the toughening agent with suitable
reinforcing fillers and an amine based hardener system.

properties
Lap shear strength at RT, ksc, (SS/neoprene rubber) 25-30

900 Peel strength at RT, Kg/cm, (SS/neoprene rubber) 4-7

salient featUres
The synthesis of conventional adhesive systems includes many processing steps,
incorporation of reinforcing additives, and use of hazardous tackifying resins. The
conventional process also renders a non-eco friendly atmosphere during bonding
operations for rubber-metal bonding applications. EPNA 07 adhesive system
is a solventless, eco-friendly, simple and less complicated system with good
performance characteristics. The other features include ambient temperature
curing, high shear/peel strength room temperature curing and capability of
bonding natural rubber.

appliCation(s)
The adhesive will find application as solvent free adhesive for metal-vulcanized
rubber bonding

51
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

HST EP-700 High Strain

Tolerant Epoxy Adhesive
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
(VSSC) has developed HST EP 700, a high strain tolerant, low modulus, room
temperature curing two-part toughened epoxy formulation for bonding substrates
with low surface energy such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The specialty of
the system is that the material is highly compatible with polyethylene and thereby
imparts good adhesion. Part-A is modified epoxy and Part-B is mixture of modified
amines.

properties
Lap shear strength (Al/Al) at 25°C (kgf/cm2) 50-60
Lap shear strength (PE/PE) at 25°C (kgf/cm2) 20-25
Tensile strength at 25°C (kgf/cm2) 50-70
Tensile modulus at 25°C (kgf/cm2) 15-25
Tensile elongation at 25°C (%) 600-700

salient featUres
• Ambient temperature curing
• high strain and low modulus epoxy formulation
• Suitable for bonding polyethylene

appliCation(s)
HST EP-700 will find application for bonding polyethylene to polyethylene or
polyethylene to aluminum.

52
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

HTV EP-411 Vulcanizing

Epoxy Adhesive
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
(VSSC) has developed HTV EP 411, a high temperature vulcanizing epoxy
formulation suitable for bonding metal to EPDM rubber.

properties
Lap shear strength (Al/Al) at 25°C (kgf/cm2) 80-100
Lap shear strength (Al/Al) at 100°C (kgf/cm2) 10-15
Tensile strength at 25°C (kgf/cm2) 80-100
Tensile modulus at 25°C (kgf/cm2) 200-250
Tensile elongation at 25°C (%) 100-120
180° Peel strength (EPDM/15CDV6) at 25°C (kg/cm) 2.1-2.6

appliCation(s)
HTV EP-411 is useful for bonding EPDM in motor cases used in launch vehicles, as
thermal protection system.

53
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

Shape Memory Polymers

for Smart Actuators
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
(VSSC) has developed a wide range of shape memory polymers with transition
temperatures (shape recovery temperature) ranging from 50-180°C using casting/
compression moulding. The Shape Memory Polymers exhibit shape retention and
shape recovery capability above 95%. The recovery speed ranges from seconds
to minutes (tunable) according to application (both fast and slow recovery shape
memory polymers). Elastic memory composites also are developed in selected
cases with actuation temperatures in the range of 70-90°C.

salient featUres
• High shape recovery property
• High shape fixity features
• Tunable shape recovery temperature
• Tunable shape recovery time
• Easy processability

54
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

Glass Filled Nylon

Nozzle Closure
Glass filled nylon nozzle closure developed by Indian Space Research Organisation
(ISRO) at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) is fabricated using 30%
glass filled nylon-6 by injection molding. Glass fiber reduces the coefficient of
thermal expansion (CTE). It enhances the adhesion with copper using adhesive
ENC-3030 M.

salient featUres
Low thermal expansion co-efficient of glass filled nylon ensuring better margin
of safety.

properties
Material inspection using No defects
X-ray
Tensile strength, MPa 65-75
Tensile Elongation % 80 maximum
CTE in Axial direction /0C 90x10-6
CTE in Radial direction /0C 90x10-6
CTE in Hoop direction /0C 25x10-6

55
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

Non Conductive White Paint

and Grey Antistatic
Coating-GCC50
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
(VSSC) has developed technologies for processing and application of different
types of paint and coatings with tailored properties to meet various mission/
application requirements

Non conductive White Paint is an acrylic based paint developed for satellite
applications, as a thermal control coating with excellent out gassing resistance.
It has low solar absorptivity (<0.22) and high IR emissivity (>0.88) characteristics.
The paint has been used extensively in spacecraft components like reflectors,
antennae and passive coolers.

GCC 50 is an advanced anti static coating system .This coating has a comparatively
lower solar absorptivity and high emissivity, yet maintaining the anti static
properties.

This is suited for coating insulated surface of the cryogenic stage components in
launch vehicles to prevent static electricity build up.

56
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

Polyimide Films
(Copper Cladded/Aluminised)
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
(VSSC) has developed technology for processing of Polyimide Films.

These films are highly thermally stable, possess higher mechanical and
di-electrical properties.

salient featUres
• Processed in a batch process
• Sizes up to 1m X 2.5 m
• Excellent thermal, mechanical and di-electrical properties

appliCation
Polyimide films will find wide applications in:
• Solar panel
• Multi Layer Insulation (MLI) blankets
• Li-Ion cells
• Moisture barrier film layers in camera structures of satellites
• Photo etched Copper Cladded films can be used in reflectors of antenna

57
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

Polyimide Pipeline
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
(VSSC) has developed Polyimide pipelines. These find application in the pneumo
hydraulic feed system of cryo stages used in ISRO launch vehicles. Pipelines perform
critical stage functions such as tank chilling, propellant filling and draining, thermal
conditioning and propellant level correction. A helical tape winding technique to
realize the polyimide pipelines has also been developed.

salient featUres
• Polyimide is a unique material, which can be used both in cryogenic as well as
high temperatures
• Polyimide pipelines possesses many advantages over conventional metallic
pipelines such as low specific gravity (1.30), low stiffness, ability to retain
higher percentage elongation at cryogenic temperature, withstanding thermal
shock and inherently flexible
• 27 profiles of pipelines with 30mm to 80mm dia with straight, single bend and
double bend configurations and 35 different profiles of various sizes ranging
from 60 to 130 mm dia to withstand pressure rating of 3 to 36 kg/cm2

58
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note

Electronics

59
61
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

V band Low Noise

Amplifier
Space Applications Centre of ISRO has developed a low noise amplifier designed
at V band. It operates at 50-60 GHz and gives a gain of 7-10dB. The typical noise
figure is less than 5dB. It is also a medium power amplifier with 14dB output
power at 1dB gain compression. The amplifier has waveguide WR-15 interface at
the input and output.

typiCal appliCations
• EW Receivers
• Weather & Military ultra wideband radar
applications
• Ultra wideband communication
networks

salient featUres
• Frequency: 50-60 GHz
• Noise Figure 5dB
• Gain 8.5dB (Higher Gain option available)
• Output Power at (@P1dB) 14dBm
• DC power consumption: 80mA, 3V
• Input / Output : Waveguide WR15

frequency ghz gain (dB) noise figure (dB) p1dB (dBm) dC Bias
50-60 8.5dB ± 1.5dB 5 14 3V, 80mA

61
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

L band True Time

Delay Phase Shifter
Space Applications Centre of ISRO has developed an integrated 6-bit GaAs MMIC
digital phase shifter featuring two MMIC dies catering to 1024ps delay requirement.
It operates at 1.25 GHz with 250 MHz bandwidth, providing 1024ps of delay
coverage, with a resolution of 16 ps. It features very low RMS delay error of 8 ps.
This TTD Phase shifter requires an external driver circuit and works on negative
control logic of 0/-5V. It is internally matched to 50 ohms and is ideal for integration
into Multi chip Modules (MCMs) due to its small size.

Interface Diagram
Switch Control from external TTL – MESFET driver
5.5 mm X 2.3 mm

-5V = OFF state 0 V = ON state

LSB1-LSB5 bit

3 mm X 2.3 mm
LSB6 Bit

salient featUres
• 6 bit TTD-Phase Shifter
• Wide Dynamic range: 1024 ps
typiCal appliCations • Fine Resolution: 16ps
• EW Receivers • Novel Topology of self switched band
• Weather & Military ultra pass network for 256ps delay bitDC
wideband Radars power consumption: 80mA, 3V
• Beam Forming Modules • Novel topology of compensated
network for 512ps delay bit
max. i/o return
frequency delay max. rms Control
insertion loss max.
ghz range (ps) error (ps) input
loss (dB) (dB)
1.25 ± 0.125 15 16 to 1024 12 8 0/-5V

62
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

C band DC BIAS I/Q Mixer

Space Applications Centre of ISRO has developed a DC biased IQ mixer designed
to operate at C band. It is fabricated in size of 1inch x 1inch on 25 mil alumina.
Same circuit can be realized as is on TMM10i/RT6010 substrates. The novel use of
DC biasing provides reduction of local oscillator (LO) power to 4 dBm as compared
to 10 - 15 dBm of conventional I/Q Mixers. The circuit provides low conversion
loss and low amplitude and phase imbalance. It can be used as a single sideband
modulator and demodulator with very low LO power requirement.

typiCal appliCations
• EW Receiver / Transmitter
• Weather & Military Radars
• Single sideband modulator and
Image Rejection Mixers

salient featUres
• C Band IQ mixer with DC biasing
for low power requirement
• Low conversion loss
• Good amplitude and phase
balance
• Planar topography
• Realization amenable to
Conventional Photo lithographic
patterning on soft & hard
substrates

Conv. lo to rf typical dC Bias

frequency amp. phase
loss isolation lo power
(ghz) imbalance imbalance (V)
(dB) (dB) (dBm)
5.15 ± 0.3 dB
10 ± 0.5 > 25 5 deg (rms) 4 0.3 - 0.7
0.250 (rms)

63
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

OBC ASIC 8 bit Micro

Controller
SAC has developed an On Board Controller (OBC) Application Specific Integrated
Circuit (ASIC) for central and distributed controllers of various microwave remote
sensing payloads. OBC ASIC architecture is based on DW8051 microcontroller core.
It contains a rich set of serial interfaces. It also contains parallel ports with a unique
feature of event programmability, which makes I/O deterministic and reduces load
of software for I/O task.
salient featUres
• DW8051 (8 bit microcontroller) core
• 4 UARTs, 3 Timers and 5 Interrupts
• 3 synchronous serial Tx/ Rx
• 4 Ports(32 bits) for parallel I/O
• 6 Event Programmable ports (48 bits)
• 6 Programmable Timing Signals
• Auxiliary Data Interface (256 Bytes)
• Two 8 bit Delta Sigma ADCs (with
external R,C & comparator)
• Watchdog Time
• Programmable Combinational Logic
Module (similar to FPGA CLB)
• On chip monitor program for ICP
• JTAG boundary scan chain
• 0.6μ CMOS RadHard Digital Tech.
• Supply : 5 Volts for Core & I/O
• QML-V Qualified
• Package : CQFP 256 pins
• ESD sensitivity: 2KV
• I/O : 5V CMOS compatible with
• Radiation Performance
4ma/8ma drive (total 224 I/Os)
tID ≥ 100Krad (Si)
• Clock Frequency: 16 MHz (Max) LET (no latchup) ≥ 128 MeV - cm2/mg
• 300K NAND2 equivalent gates seU rate ≤ 1.6 x 10-10 errors/ bit day

64
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

Power Conditioning and

Processing Unit
SAC has developed a Power Conditioning and Processing Unit (PCPU) for use in
microwave remote sensing missions. PCPU is a very complex multi output dc - dc
converter that delivers around 100W of peak power and around 10W of average
power. Here, Planar magnetics is used for the first time which was realized using
18 and 16 layer PCBs.

teChnologiCal featUres
• Thick film technology
• SMT technology
• Planar Magnetics
• Magnesium alloy for weight reduction
• Hybrid Micro – Circuits

salient featUres of pCpU

• Powers a pair of V&H TR Modules and a
TRC unit
• 10 outputs: 8 pulsed + 2 continuous
• 59W pulse output power
• 9.1W average output power
• High BW pulse modulators for fast rise &
fall times on pulsed outputs
• In-built EMI filter isolates the satellite
bus from the pulsed load transients.

65
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

SPACE QUALIFIED
C-BAND MMIC’s
Space Applications Centre of ISRO has developed seven types of MMICs flown in
RISAT – 1. These MMICs are used for the development of Transmit Receive modules.
ISRO offers to license this technology of these MMICs to industries with adequate
experience and facilities. Enterprises interested in obtaining knowhow may write
giving details of their present activities, infrastructure and facilities to us.
6 -Bit digital attenUator
• 5350 ± 125 MHz
• 31.5dB dynamic range
• 6-bit, 0.5 dB step
• Insertion Loss: 4.5 dB

6 -Bit digital phase

shifter
• 5350 ± 125 MHz
• 360 deg dynamic range
• 6-bit, 5.625 deg step
• Insertion Loss: 7 dB

spdt switCh
• 5350 ± 125 MHz
• Insertion Loss: 2.5 dB
• Isolation : 30 dB

66
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

mediUm power small signal

amplifier-1 amplifier
• 5350 ± 125 MHz • 5350 ± 125 MHz
• 32 dB gain • 25 dB Gain
• 15 dBm • 13 dBm
• 4 dB NF
mediUm power
amplifier-2 low noise amplifier
• 5350 ± 125 MHz • 5350 ± 125 MHz
• 15 dB gain • 2.6 dB NF
• 25 dBm • 25 dB gain

67
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

Transmit Receive Module

for Radar Applications
Space Applications Centre of ISRO has developed a transmit receive (TR) module
which is very useful for radar applications. Here, both transmit and receive chains
are accommodated in a single small housing for achieving good noise figure in
receive path and power in transmit path. This MMIC based TR module is flown
in Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT–1). It is a building block for radars and finds its
applications in weather radar, ground based radar etc. Each TR Module consists of
a low power TR switch to select either of the transmit or receive paths. It has a
weight of 420 gms.

parameter specifications
Frequency 5350 GHz
Bandwidth 225 MHz
6 bits, 360 deg range/
Phase Control
5.625 deg step
Gain Control 6 bits, 31.5 dB range/
0.5 dB step
Coupling of 20 dB
Coupler

Transmit Path Characteristics

Input Power -10 dBm
Peak Output
10W
Power
Transmit Pulse
20µs, 10% duty
Duration
Receive Path Characteristics
Noise Figure (NF) 4 dB
Gain @ 0 dB 30 dB
Attenuation
sPst Isolation 35 dB

68
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

Amplitude Tilt Active

Equaliser
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Space Applications Centre (SAC)
has developed an Amplitude Tilt Active Equalizer for frequency and temperature
compensation of microwave systems. The equalizer is having octave bandwidth
performance and is used for the developed broadband ALC channel amplifiers
and linearizers at Ku-Band frequency for GEOSAT payload projects.

salient featUres
• Capable to generate positive, negative
or zero slope over frequency by varying
the control voltage
• Suitable to optimize gain flatness of
any microwave circuit/system over
frequency of operation
• Capable for temperature compensation
of microwave circuits/systems

Amplitude Tilt Active Equaliser

appliCation(s)
• Electronically controlled gain slope over frequency up to ± 8 dB
• Gain control of microwave system with adjustable slope over frequency.
• Gain control of microwave system with adjustable slope over temperature
• Development of broadband microwave subsystem such as receivers, channel
amplifiers, linearizers

69
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

ALC Driver Amplifier

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Space Applications Centre (SAC)
has designed , developed and qualified a Automatic Level Control (ALC) Driver
Amplifier. The system has been used in ISRO’s GEOSAT payload projects.

salient featUres
• Frequency : 11.45 GHz to 11.7 GHz
• 3rd order IMD: <-30 dBc
• Mode of Operation: Fixed Gain or ALC
• Gain (FGM): Commandable from
24 dB to 44 dB
• Dynamic Range: 20 dB
(input from -44 to -24 dBm)
• Output Power: Commandable from
0 to -20 dBm

Amplitude Tilt Active Equaliser

appliCation(s)
• ALC Driver Amplifier contributes nearly 44 dB transponder linear gain and also
provides required input drive to the TWTAs. Its commandable gain setting
feature is used to control the transponder overall gain and drive level of
the TWTA.
• This driver amplifier also can be used in any system where commandable/
adjustable gain from 24 dB to 44 dB is required with the provision of
ALC system. The performances of the driver amplifier are temperature
compensated over the temperature range of -10 to +60 deg C.

70
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

64 Channel Analog
multiplexer
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Space Applications Centre (SAC)
has designed and developed a HAMUX-64 HMC, a 64 channel analog multiplexer
using multilayer thick film hybrid technology. This 64 channel analog multiplexer
will find special applications.

salient featUres
• 64 channel with ESD & Over voltage
protection
• Provision for Internal / External
reference voltage
• Buffered (Op-amp) and Un-buffered
(Mux) output
• Cascadable up to 256 channels
• Compliant as per ISRO-PAS-206
• Radiation: TID upto 100K Rads (Si)
• Inter-channel Cross talk: 35db
HAMUX 64 HMC (Max)@50KHz

appliCation(s)
• It can be used for housekeeping of analog information for LEO and GEO
payload and video signal multiplexing for multispectral instruments at low
rates. The multiplexer has ESD and over voltage protected inputs

71
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

Microwave Linearizer
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Space Applications Centre (SAC)
has developed a Microwave Linearizer. The technology is related to diode based
pre-distortion linearizer to be used with power amplifiers (TWTAs or SSPAs) to
improve nonlinear performance and efficiency of a communication system over
broadband frequency and over very wide operating temperature range.

salient featUres
• Frequency Band : L, S, C, Ku
• Gain Expansion : up to 10 dB
• Phase Expansion : up to 55 deg Gain
• Output Power : 10 to 27 dBm
• Operating Temp. : -10°C to +60°C
Range

Microwave Linearizer

The linearizers are capable to compensate gain and phase nonlinearity upto 10 dB
and 55 degree with any combination. Linearizer is used to operate the high power
amplifier at near saturation or at less power back off condition with improved non-
linear performance and improved DC to RF efficiency of the communication system.
Diode based pre-distortion type linearizers are popularly used for its compactness
and low power consumption.

72
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

C/Ku Ortho
Mode Transducer
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Space Applications Centre (SAC)
has developed a C/Ku Ortho Mode Transducer (OMT) for combined C/Ku receive
feed system. Such an Ortho Mode Transducer permits combination of separate C
and Ku terminals into a single system thereby effecting cost savings.

salient featUres
• Frequency Bands
C Band : 3.7 GHz – 4.2 GHz
Ku Band : 10.95 GHz – 12.75 GHz
• Polarization
Dual Linear (Lin V / Lin H)
• VSWR
C Band : 1.65@ 3.7 – 4.2 GHz
Ku Band : 1.4@ 10.95 –12.75 GHz
• Insertion Loss
C/Ku OMT C Band : 0.5 dB @ 3.7 – 4.2 GHz
Ku Band : 0.7 dB @ 10.95 – 12.75 GHz
• Isolation
C Band Lin V to Lin H : 35 dB min
C Band to Ku Band : 70 dB min
Ku Band Lin V to Lin H : 35 dB
Ku Band to C band : 70 dB

73
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

Light Emitting Diodes

A Device for Compensating the effect of Temperature Variation on the Brightness
of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has developed a device for compensating
the effect of temperature variation on the brightness of LEDs, which will find
wide commercial and special applications. It is required to achieve temperature
invariant brightness of LEDs for different instruments and automobile applications.
However, brightness of the LEDs changes exponentially with the change of
operating temperature of the diodes. The driver circuit will provide temperature
compensated voltage / current to the LEDs to compensate the brightness changes
with temperature.

salient featUres
• The LED driver circuit will provide bias to the LEDs to provide temperature
compensated brightness without using any temperature sensors
• No temperature sensor is required, since properties of the diodes themselves
are used to achieve the temperature compensation performance
• Temperature controlled bias voltage/current generated according to the
junction temperature of the LEDs, any temperature gradient will not affect the
temperature compensation
• Temperature changes induced by power dissipated within the diodes are also
compensated
• No trial and error method is involved to optimize the circuit performance

appliCation(s)
• Camera calibration
• Colour printer application
• Applications in traffic light, signal light etc.
• LED displays in different instruments

74
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

C-BAND ACTIVE RADAR

CALIBRATOR
SAC has developed a C band active radar calibrator for calibration of microwave
imaging sensors. It is a ground based equipment developed indigenously.
salient featUres
• Can calibrate individual Like
and Cross–Polarised C-band SAR
Channels; VV, HH, VH, HV & Circular
Polarisation using two ARC Rxs.
• Dual Polarized broadband (7%)
multilayer microstrip antenna of 23
dB gain and cross polarization better
than -40 dB.
• Antenna protected by radome using
inverted patch.
• Receiver Input Signal range: -25 to -60
dBm, Max Tx signal: + 20dBm.
• Each Channel contains Selectable
Gain with Digital control (Step: 1dB) &
6 bit Digital Phase Control in steps of
5.625 deg.

75
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

15 watt SSPA
Space Applications Centre has developed a 15WC Band SSPA that can handle from
twelve to twenty-four numbers of Normal C-Band SSPAs. The growing demand
for band width to support such applications is calling for a large number of
transponders to be deployed in the coming years. The GEOSAT program of ISRO
is conceived to address the nation’s growing need for satellite based connectivity
for broadcast, communications and networking applications. The scope of the
proposed technology transfer consist of fabrication, optimization, testing and
delivery of the RF Assembly.

The SSPA consists of RF Assembly and an Electronic Power Conditioner [EPC]

Assembly.

attenUators
• The SSPA has two PIN attenuator circuits.
One is a two-section commandable
attenuator providing up to 24dB of
attenuation for on-board gain control.
The second attenuator is used for
compensation of gain variation against
temperature. Each attenuator section
employs 3dB Lange couplers with two
PIN diodes.
• The commandable attenuator is
externally controlled through serial
commands. These commands are
processed with in the SSPA using
a decoder comprising integrated
circuits CD4050, CD40174, CD4015,
CD40106 and CD4051. This decoder,
along with biasing arrangements for all devices, is implemented on a PCB
which is housed in a separate section of the RF assembly. The temperature
compensation network is also included on this card.

76
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

rf amplifier
The RF Assembly consists of low, medium and high power amplifier stages
along with two attenuators. The nominal RF output power of the SSPA is
15Watts (41.8dBm) in the specified operating frequency band. Nine amplifier
stages provide the required 86dB gain. The small signal stages employ five
CFY25-20 devices in a 3+2 chain. These small signal stages will drive the
medium power stages based on MGF2407 & MGF2430. All these stages are housed
in one section of the RF package. The output of this section (i.e. small and medium
power stages) is fed to the Power Amplifier section of the same housing, via co-
axial cable. The Power Section houses the MGF38V and MGF44V devices, the latter
being a 25Watt output device from Ms/Melco. The space between the low power
and high power sections is occupied by inter connections and harnessing.

Overall Block Diagram of SSPA

77
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

Control Circuit for

Diode based RF Circuit
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has developed a driver circuit for stepwise
temperature invariant performance of diode-based RF circuits such as p-i-n and Schottky
diode-based attenuator, phase shifter, linearizer etc which will find wide commercial and
special applications.

It is frequently required that some electrical parameters (such as attenuation, phase shift,
gain, etc) of a diode based RF circuit be controlled in a stepwise manner according to a
digital signal command. RF resistance of the RF diodes is very sensitive to the temperature
of the circuits and also RF performance. This driver circuit provides temperature-controlled
bias to the RF diodes in such a way that the stepwise RF performance of the diode based
RF circuits will remain temperature invariant.

salient featUres
• The driver circuit will provide bias to the RF diodes to provide temperature
compensated RF performance without using any temperature sensors
• No temperature sensor is required, since properties of the diodes themselves
are used to achieve the temperature compensation performance
• The temperature controlled bias voltage/current generated according to the
junction temperature of the RF diodes themselves, thus any temperature
gradient will not affect the temperature compensation
• Temperature changes induced by RF energy dissipated within the diodes are
also compensated
• No trial and error method is involved to optimize the circuit performance

appliCation(s)
• Electronically controlled RF attenuators for various RF/Microwave instruments
• Electronically controlled RF phase shifters for RF/Microwave instrument and
digital beam forming networks
• Gain control of RF/Microwave amplifiers for on-board and ground based
instrument
• RF Linearisers for TWTAs, SSPAs

78
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

Two Channel Monopulse

Tracking Receiver
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has developed a Two Channel
Monopulse Tracking Receiver which will find applications in large earth stations
for tracking both GEO and LEO satellites.

The two channel monopulse tracking receiver is one of the subsystems of auto
track system in large earth stations. The tracking receiver receives two signals at IF
corresponding to the sum channel and error channel of the feed assembly. It uses AGC
and coherent demodulation to derive output voltages proportional to azimuth and
elevation errors. These output voltages are used by antenna control unit to correct off
pointing.

salient featUres
• Wide tracking range : 70 MHz ± 250 KHz
• Wide dynamic range : 70 dB
• Low input C/No threshold : 40 dB-Hz
• Selectable loop BW : 300 Hz, 1 KHz & 3 KHz
• User friendly operation from local and
remote
• Save / recall configuration for different
satellites
• Programmable sweep range and sweep
rate
Two Channel Monopulse Tracking Receiver • 19” rack mountable 3U chassis

CUrrent installations appliCation(s)

• Master Control Facility (MCF), • This tracking receiver is useful in large
Hassan, India earth stations for tracking both GEO
and LEO satellites. It meets the stringent
requirements of large earth stations at
lower cost.

79
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

Miniaturized High
Frequency DC-DC Converter
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
(VSSC) has developed a technology for Miniaturized High Frequency DC-DC
Converter which will find applications where weight and volume is a constraint,
especially in aerospace applications.

The DC-DC converter provides regulated and isolated voltages for powering
various avionics packages with input voltage ranging 16-40V and delivering 15
watts of total output power with output voltage of +5V,+7.5V,± 5V and ±15V.

The DC-DC converter developed is highly efficient to provide regulated output

voltages and the switching frequency is 400 KHz. The DC-DC converter is
miniaturized to the size of 9.7x4.4x2.45 cm3, weighs only 100 gm and is economically
cost effective.

salient featUres
• High efficiency, reliability, small size and lower mass
• Use of surface mount technology to give reliable assembly at reduced cost
• As a substitute for imported MIL qualified DC-DC Converter
• Feed forward technique to achieve excellent audio frequency rejection
• Built in EMI filter configured to meet the requirements of MIL-STD-461C
• Wide input voltage range and amplitude modulated feedback system
• Lead lag compensation to achieve loop bandwidth of 12KHz and better load
transient response

appliCation(s)
• The miniaturized high frequency DC-DC converter can be used for any
application where volume and weight is the main constraint. It may find wide
application in aerospace, avionics systems and high reliable applications

80
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SDSC

Intrinsic Safe Module

Indian Space Research Organisation at its Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-
SHAR) has developed an Intrinsic Safe Module, which can be used in hazardous
(explosive) area for electrical control applications.

Intrinsic Safe Module ensures that electrical energy available in the electrical
actuators and interfaces present in the hazardous area are limited to a level such
that it will not cause any ignition .

The Intrinsic Safe unit is designed such that the voltage and current supplied from
the circuit is limited to safe level in case of component failure or any problem in
the field.

The Intrinsic Safe power unit consists of a bridge rectifier and a transistor, zenor
diode combination for voltage and current control, one more same set is provided
for redundancy and one transistor resistor combination is used for final current
limiting and incase of failure of all these components an high speed fuse will act
to protect the entire system.

specifications
Operating voltage 10V dc
Max. current out put 85mA
Safety fuse rating 100mA
Relay rating 10.2mA, 1000 Ω

appliCation(s)
• EOT cranes control circuit in hazardous area
• Electrical Motor operation in hazardous area

81
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
NRSC

FPGA based
Digital Demodulator
Indian Space Research organization at its National Remote Sensing Centre has
developed a FPGA based Digital Demodulator. As different Satellites use different
modulation schemes with variable data rates, in order to cater to the Multi-satellite
data reception requirements of a ground station, it is necessary to have greater
flexibility and programmability features embedded in the design of demodulators.
Modulated RF signals are digitally sampled and then demodulated in real time
using digital signal processing techniques implemented on FPGAs. Because of
the usage of FPGAs, the design can have low power consumption, size and cost
reduction. Furthermore, these digital demodulators can be reconfigured and
upgraded to enhance the data rates in future.

The high data rate digital demodulator is planned to perform IF amplification, filtering and
analog to digital conversion of the received IF signal followed by a Digital demodulator.
The basic design strategy includes a configurable data rate BPSK/ QPSK demodulation
with COSTAS loop circuitry utilizing the flexibility of FPGA implementation.

The IP core development for the demodulation including carrier recovery have been tested for the 8 Mbps
BPSK and 42.4515Mbps QPSK as shown in the block diagram.

82
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
NRSC

salient featUres
• Entire Demodulation functionality with single FPGA
• Reference carrier generation in the same FPGA
• Implementation of Multi demodulation schemes (BPSK, QPSK)
• Different Data rates selection
• Simultaneous Demodulation and Bit Synchronization

specifications
Sampling frequency (Fs) 125 MHz- 250 MHz
Carrier frequency 30 MHz (BPSK), 70 MHz (BPSK/ QPSK)
Data Rates (Fb) 8 MBPS (BPSK), 42.4515 MBPS (QPSK)
Low pass filters used Raised Cosine FIR
FIR sampling frequency (Fs/10) for 8 MBPS data rate and (Fs/4) for
42.4515 MBPS data rate
FIR Cutoff frequency 1.5 * (Fb/2) for BPSK and 1.5 * (Fb/4) for QPSK
Loop filter used 1st order Butterworth IIR
Loop filter cutoff frequency 200 KHz

appliCation(s)
• High Data rate demodulation for remote sensing data reception system

83
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
NRSC

Programmable IF Matrix
Indian Space Research Organisation at its National Remote Sensing Centre has
developed a programmable IF matrix. The main objective of the Programmable IF
matrix is to facilitate total automation of the data reception chain including the RF
signal routing path. The main function of the IF Switching Matrix is to facilitate the
connectivity between any Antenna Terminal IF to any Demodulator.

Programmable IF matrix is designed for automatic operation by eliminating

the manual intervention in the routing of various signals in the data reception
chain. It eliminates the problems associated with manual patch panel like loose
contact problems, mechanical wear and tear of the patch chords due to frequent
operations, human errors etc., which in turn improves the reliability of the system
while increasing the flexibility and reducing the complexity.

The functional block diagram of IF Switching Matrix with all the support interfaces
is as shown below.

84
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
NRSC

salient featUres
• Facilitates Multi-port Matrix operation. appliCation
• Port-to-port isolation in DC- 4 GHz band is • Routing various RF signals
more than 100dB in a multi-mission ground
• The Path length of all the signal paths station
has maintained constant within the
CUrrent
Programmable IF matrix. Hence, this mode
of configuration has lesser Insertion loss
installation
and better VSWR • National Remote Sensing
• Loads default configuration after Power ON Centre, Earth Station,
Shadnagar
• User can modify the inputs any number of
times before configuring the signal path
• Remote configuration through TCP/IP or
RS-232

specifications
Electrical
Frequency Range DC - 4 GHz
Matrix Size 8 (Inputs) X 10 (Outputs)
Matrix Type Non-Blocking
Insertion Loss 20 dB (aprox.)
Port to Port Isolation > 90 dB
VSWR 1.2 : 1
Key Pad 3 x 3 Matrix type
LCD screen 240 x 128 Graphics LCD
Remote interface Ethernet and RS-232

environmental
Operating Temperature +5⁰ C to +40⁰ C
Storage Temperature -10⁰ C to +60⁰ C

power supply (external)

Input Power Supply 230V +/- 10% AC @ 50Hz +/- 3Hz
Operating voltages +5V ,+15V and +24V

85
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
ISAC

MICROWAVE PASSIVE DEVICES

(FREQUENCY FILTERS & WAVEGUIDE
PRESSURE WINDOWS)
Indian Space Research Organization at its ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC) has developed
Microwave Passive Devices.

Microwave Frequency Devices like Frequency Filters and Waveguide Pressure

Windows for application on RF checkout operation on spacecraft have been
developed. These are of general purpose use in nature and can be used for
commercial application in terrestrial communication.

These devices have been developed / fabricated using in-house developed software
calculation programmes. The realized designs have also been validated using the
international standard simulation tools, fabrication through in-house / external fabrication
facilities and subsequent performance characterization using in-house test set ups.

As commercially available software design and simulation tools are very costly
and may not be affordable for the budding entrepreneurs in the country, these
programmes can help them establish commercially viable RF & Microwave Products.

Waveguide Pressure Windows Frequency Filters

86
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
ISAC

appliCation(s)
device type application
Evanescent For small size, bandwidth 1 to 10%, frequency
Mode Filter of operation L-band to Ku-band
For Low Insertion Loss, bandwidth 4 to 10%,
Post Coupled
frequency of operation S-band to Ku-band,
Filter
high power applications
For Low Insertion Loss, bandwidth 4 to 10%,
Iris Coupled
frequency of operation S-band to Ku-band,
Filter
high power applications
Waveguide
For TVAC applications, frequency of operation
Pressure
S-band to Ka-band, high power applications
windows

87
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
sdsc

D.C. FIELD COILS FOR 16t FORCE

CAPACITY WATER COOLED
ELECTRO DYNAMIC SHAKER
Indian Space Research Organisation at its Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-
SHAR) has developed a set of D.C. field coils indigenously in collaboration with
BHEL, Hyderabad, for use with the 16 t force capacity water cooled shakers. These
field coils are used for generating the high intensity magnetic field inside the
electro-dynamic shaker.

prinCiple of operation
The D.C. field coils are made of copper tubes, which can take 400A DC current and
230V voltage. Each field coil comprises 9 copper coils brazed with manifolds at
inlet and outlet to supply the cooling water. Each of the 9 copper coils is covered
with insulation tape (fiber glass) and bonded with epoxy layer. Finally, the coil
assembly is encapsulated by potting with room temperature epoxy resin.

Field coil in winding process Completed Field Coil

88
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SDSC

salient featUres
• Capability to draw the 400A and 230V DC power for generating the required
magnetic field inside the electro-dynamic shaker
• The field coils are wound with special care to reduce the stray magnetic fields
and all the individual fields are exactly aligned with each other to generate
high intensity magnetic field
• The field coils can withstand a temperature of up to 90degC

appliCation(s)
Use in electro-dynamic shaker and similar systems. These field coils generate
the DC magnetic field which in turn aid in the generation of dynamic force. The
electro-dynamic shaker system is needed for qualification vibration testing of
launch vehicle and spacecraft related components and sub-assemblies. Electro
dynamic shaker used in heavy industries can use the invention for generation of
dynamic force.

89
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

MMIC True Time Delay Phase

Shifter Circuit
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Space Applications Centre has
developed a novel and versatile true time delay phase shifter circuit which is
realized on a Gallium Arsenide based Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit
(MMIC). It caters to variable differential delay requirements of 16psec to 1008psec,
in response to a 6 bit digital control signal for phased array antenna application.

This time delay circuit is suitable for a network which produces time delayed
microwave signals for large instantaneous bandwidth systems to provide antenna
beam patterns which are substantially constant over the bandwidth of the system.
RF and microwave industries involved in the design and development of TR
modules, airborne and space radar systems will benefit from this invention.

salient featUres
• Wide dynamic range : 16psec
-1008psec @ 1.25 GHz over 20%
bandwidth
• Fine resolution :16ps
• 6 bit TTD-Phase Shifter
• Small size

appliCation(s)
• For Phased Array Antenna application
• Beam Forming Modules

90
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

Safety Ohm Meter

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
(VSSC) has developed a Safety Ohm Meter. This is an instrument for accurate
resistance measurement over wider resistance range, especially for the safe and
reliable squib resistance measurement of electrically initiated pyro devices used
in Aerospace, Automobile and other industries.

salient featUres
• Measures very small resistance, especially squib resistance of electro explosive
devices, where safety is mandatory.
• Operates on 1.5V DC, thus restricts the energy for the squib to ignite even at
inadvertent failures.
• Total circuit current monitoring, thus confirming safety limits before
proceeding with measurements and during measurement.
• Resistance measurement up to 10kΩ, which enables isolation measurements
also with the same equipment.
• Reduced power, low voltage operation and highest reliability – Uses only
passive electronic and mechanical components
• Uses Null indication method which is independent of the characteristics and
calibration of the null indicator.
• Fail safe operation.
• Mechanical monitoring and display devices
• Enclosed in an electrostatically safe enclosure.
• Confirms to MIL-STD-1576, method 201.

appliCation(s)
Safe and reliable squib
resistance measurement
of electrically initiated
pyro devices used in
Aerospace, Automobile
and other industries.

Safety Ohm Meter

91
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

SOLID STATE RECORDER

Indian Space Research Organisation at its Space Applications Center (SAC)
developed a Solid State Recorder (SSR) based on non-volatile flash memory for
applications requiring high speed data recording and large storage capacity.
Industry standard NAND flash has been used due to property of increased density
and cost reduction. These SSRs make an ideal data capture media for airborne
sensors as well as other applications requiring high data ingest rate and capacity
(including applications ground testing
and archival of data). The architecture
has been specially optimized for mass,
volume and power. Various input
connectivity options allow these
recorders to be readily applied with
most of the data heavy sources. The
highly scalable and flexible architecture
allows augmentation to high storage
densities.

Parameter Specifications
Sustained Input Data Rate 1.2 Giga Baud
Storage Capacity Up to 16 Tb
Temperature Range -40°C to +75°C
Storage Medium NAND Flash
Mass < 1.0 Kg
Power < 10 Watts
Data Retrieval USB / Ethernet
Serial 8/10b encoded data on copper/ Optical
Input Interface connectivity (LVDS / RS422 serial/parallel and
RS232 serial data at correspondingly lower speeds)
5-12 Volts (non-isolated)
Operational Voltage
9-36/18-72 Volts (Isolated)
Package Size 220mm X 150mmx25mm
Operator Interface Custom Utility (Win based)

92
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
sac

salient featUres
• NAND Flash based multiple chips
• Scalable and flexible design
• High performance
• Optimized for mass, power and volume
• Bad Block identification and management

appliCation(s)
• Imaging data recording
• High speed sensor data acquisition
• Airborne applications
• Ground testing and data archival

93
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note

Mechanical
and
Materials

95
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

METHOD OF WELDING
THIN WIRE
Indian Space Research organization at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) has
developed method of welding thin wires of thickness ranging between 25 to 100
microns, especially used for aerospace applications. During the welding of thin
wires having very small diameter, most of the conventional welding techniques
fail and suffer due to inaccessible weld locations. The conventional welding
techniques are having various limitations in terms of precision, quality and the life
of weld.

The method of welding developed by us

is suitable for welding thin wires used for
aerospace applications. It is based on the
principle of metal joining by fusion using
pulsed laser beam. The laser power and spot
size is reduced with an aperture, to spot
weld the thin bridge wire. A needle fixture is
developed to hold the thin wire in position
during the welding process.

The welding method allows for eliminating

the wire necking generally observed in the
welding process by forming swelled portions
of apprx. Three times the wire diameter at
either end of wire and subsequent swell flattening. The resultant weld has improved
level of quality with sufficient mechanical strength for aerospace applications. The
needle fixture holds the wire over inaccessible locations during the spot welding
process. The improved method of welding process achieves high quality micro
welding using a moderately high power laser welding station with the help of a
power reduction aperture.

97
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

PRECISION TAPPING
ATTACHMENT
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Space Applications Centre (SAC)
has developed a Precision Tapping Attachment which will find applications for
precision tapping in mechanical packages. This attachment is useful for tapping
highly precise M1.2 screws and above with accuracy.

salient featUres
• Useful for highly precise M1.2 screws and above with accuracy
• To ensure for perfect and precise tapping with perpendicularity
• Ensuring tapping up to proper depth
• No jamming or breaking of tapping tool
• Even unskilled worker can use it
• Increase in productivity

speCifiCations
• Tapping Capacity: Starting from highly precise M1.2
• Overall Size: 345 mm x 300mm x 330 mm height
• Swiveling of arm: 360o
• Vertical Adjustment: Easily possible up to 300 mm
• Tapping Operation: Manual
• Gross Weight: 9 kg
• Tools: Standard tools can be used
• Horizontal Adjustment: In range of 50 mm, Max. Distance 215 mm
• Extension: Extendable for Helicoil insertion and semi-automation for vertical
feed and lubrication

98
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

DK 18 Ceramic
DK18 is a MgTiO3 based ceramic, which is widely used as Patch Antenna substrates
in Satellite and GPS communication systems. This dielectric, medium permittivity
material, possesses extremely low dielectric loss (tanδ~10-5) in microwave frequency
ranges.
Electronic ceramics with high permittivity (εr>20) and low dielectric loss (tanδ<10-3)
has a number of applications in microwave devices like filters, oscillators, multiplexers
etc in terrestrial as well as Space communication systems ranging from UHF to mm
band frequencies. In such devices, it is desirable that the ceramics has high er to confine
the electromagnetic waves near them. However, when applications like antennas and
substrates are considered, 10<εr<20 is desirable for better radiation field outside the
ceramic and size reduction. Their advantages are small size, light weight, temperature
stability etc. Globally, a few materials have been manufactured for use in specific range
of microwave spectrum. This indigenously developed DK18 is equivalent to Kyocera
SM200 and P series of Murata that are used as substrates for GPS antennas.
Since the process temperatures are much lower than the tantalates and raw material
cost is also low, the production cost of this ceramics is much lower compared to other
similar products in the market. This ceramic also has the added advantage of having a
low ρ, only about a half that of tantalates.

typical properties
Appearance Light cream
Bulk density (g/cc) 3.7±0.15
Open Porosity nil
Closed Porosity <2%
Resistivity (Ω.cm) 1013
Coeff. of Thermal Expansion (10−6/K) 9.2
Dielectric constant (εr) 19±1.5
Quality factor (Qu @ GHz) 12,000 (6.5)
Loss factor (tanδ, 10−5) 8.4
Temp. coeff. of frequency (tf, ppm/K) 0±5
TE01δ resonator size at 5 GHz (D=2L, mm) 14

99
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

BMT Ceramic
Indian Space Research Organisation at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC),
Thiruvananthapuram has developed various kinds of ceramics. Dielectric ceramics
find application as resonators (DR), substrates, antennas etc. in terrestrial as well
as space communications systems ranging from UHF to mm-band frequencies.
Their advantages are small size, light weight, temperature stability etc. Globally,
a few materials have been manufactured for use in specific range of
microwave spectrum.

Barium Magnesium Tantalite (BMT) is a typical perovskite ceramic, which is widely used
in oscillators, multiplexers, filters etc above 10GHz in satellite and terrestrial microwave
communication system. The technology has been developed in collaboration with
CMET, Thrissur. This dielectric,
coming in the medium permittivity
materials, possesses extremely
low dielectric loss (tanδ~10-5)
in microwave and millimetre wave
frequency ranges.

This indigenously developed BMT is

equivalent to 8700 series of Trans-
Tech and D series of Murata that are
used in 10-25 GHz range.

typical properties
(Target) < 8 g/cm3
Bulk density
(Achieved) 7.45 ± 0.1 g/cm3
(Target)
Dielectric constant (er) 25±3, 24±1
(Achieved)
(Target) 15,000 @ 5.6 GHz
Unloaded Q-factor (Qu) (Achieved) 28,000 @ 5.6 GHz
(Achieved) 22,000 @ 7.5 GHz
(Target) 8,000 @ 10 GHz
Unloaded Q-factor (Qu)
(Achieved) 20,000 @ 10 GHz
(Target) < 7 ppm/K
Temp. coeff. of freq. (tf )
(Achieved) 6 ± 1.0 ppm/K

100
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

Silica Fibre
Indian Space Research Organisation at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC)
has developed a new technology for developing silica fibres by sol-gel process.
The fibres can be used for high temperature insulation up to 1500oC.

The low temperature process (400oC) adopted for developing silica fibres is
more economical than the conventional technologies and can give high purity
fine fibres. In addition, the fibres are hollow, thereby improving the insulation
property further.

fiBre speCifiCations
• Composition : Silica (99.5%)
• Diameter : 1- 20 µ
• Length : 5- 20 mm
• Aspect ratio : 500 – 20,000
• Morphology : Amorphous ( 1400oC)
• Heat Treatment : Up to 1400oC

101
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

Silica Granule
Indian Space Research Organisation at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC)
has developed a new technology for developing silica granules of fine sizes. The
granules are produced from aero-gel chips and subsequent firing using microwaves.
They can be used for high temperature insulation up to 1250oC. Since they are
hollow and weigh less, they can also be used as filler materials for paints, polymer/
metal and ceramic matrices to reduce density and improve thermal properties.

prodUCt speCifiCations
• Product Composition : SiO2 (99.5%)
• Diameter : <2 mm
• Bulk Density : <0.35 g/cc
• Morphology : Hollow, Fibrous & Amorphous

102
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
LPSC

Pressure Regulator with

Double Controls
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) at its Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre has
developed a noval pressure regulator which will find wide industrial and commercial
applications.

prinCiple of operation
This device has two single stage regulators working
independently arranged in reverse cascaded way
with only one regulator functioning at a time. The
open mode failure or leak of first regulator initiates
the second regulator to carry out regulation. The
regulators are in a single housing and thus overall
envelope and weight is reduced as in comparison
to two independent regulators.

speCifiCations adVantages &

• Inlet pressure : 15 to 0.5 MPa salient featUres
• Outlet pressure range : 0.05 to 0.15 MPa • Operates in Space
environment
• Regulation band : +0.002 MPa
(both regulators) • Low envelope and weight.
• Working fluid : Xe, GHe and GN2 • Improved life and
redundancy compared to
• Operating : 288 to 328 K
temperature single stage regulators.
• Compact design, simple
• Maximum flow rate : 5 mg/s of Xe
in construction, robust
• Internal leak tightness : < 1 x 10-3 sccs of GHe in operation, easy to
• External leak tightness : ≤1 x 10-6 sccs of GHe manufacture in large
scale, industrially viable
• Operating life : 10 years
• Cycle life : 5000 cycles appliCation(s)
• Weight of valve : ≤ 1.4 kg • Aerospace / satellite
industries

103
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SDSC

Vertical Turning Mill

Upgradation Tech.
Indian Space Research Organisation at its Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-
SHAR) has developed a technology for upgradation of Vertical Turning Milling
machine. The technology is developed to retrofit and upgrade the machine
with state of art control systems and suitable interfaces, so that the useful life
of the machine can be successfully extended by many years and high quality of
machining is assured.

CnC panel

machine

electrical panel

104
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SDSC

The upgradation involves dismantling old control systems, motors, panels,

laying of new cables, installation of new CNC and electrical panels, junction
boxes, design ,fabrication and fixing of all mechanical interfaces, positioning and
aligning the servo motors and spindle motors with shafts ,powering the systems,
integration, drive checks, panel checks, PLC checks, machine operations and
functions checking, axes calibration with laser source, cutting trials, machining
trials with Insulation specimens, software installation and training, familiarization
and training on operations, interfacing old mechanical systems with new control
systems and recommissioning the machine.

appliCation(s)
• This technology will help the industries to augment/upgrade their existing
machines.

105
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
LPSC

Pressurisation Valve for

GH2 Application
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) at its Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre
has developed a novel normally closed inline pneumatically actuated valve that
has low weight and envelope (when compared to conventional actuator valves) for
usage in low temperature application.

prinCiple of operation
The usual way of achieving high
equivalent port for a valve is by
providing an actuating device capable
of giving high seat lift required for
achieving the required flow area. The
actuating device, i.e. Bellows should
have large lengths which inturn
increases the envelope and weight of
valve.

In this valve design the high seat lift

is achieved by tandem movement of
two actuating bellows which are arranged in series. One bellow is housed inside
another, thus resembling a telescopic arrangement. The overall weight & envelope
of valve is reduced by arranging the bellows in telescopic fashion.

speCifiCations
• Inlet pressure : 0.3±0.01 MPa
• Working fluid : GH2, GHe and GN2
• Operating : 120 K to ambient temperature range
• Command pressure : 5 ± 0.3 MPa
• Pressure drop : ≤ 0.02 MPa across the valve
• Internal leak tightness : < 1.0 sccs of (Inlet or outlet GHe pressurised condition)
• Minimum command : 3.5 MPa pressure to open the valve fully
• Weight of valve : < 7.5 kg

106
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
LPSC

adVantages & salient featUres

• Low temperature and high flow rate application
• Low pressure drop due to telescopic arrangement of actuating bellows
• Compact, simple in construction, robust in operation, easy to manufacture in
large scale, industry viable.

appliCation(s)
• Aerospace industries
• Low temperature gas handling in industries
• Steel manufacturers
• Food industry using cold N2 freezing techniques

107
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
LPSC

Telescopic Chatter
Free poppet Check Valve
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre
has developed a novel check valve which has low envelope and also avoids system
failure caused by chattering phenomenon usual in check valves.

prinCiple of operation
Conventionally, redundancy for a check
valve is achieved by adding another
check valve or poppet, in series. This
arrangement will not help avoiding the
failure mode called chattering because
if one poppet chatters it gets coupled to
the second instantaneously. This check
valve has double poppets arranged
telescopically ensuring chatter free
operation for inner poppet. The sealing
plain for 1st and 2nd poppets are arranged
in such a manner that during closing the
1st poppet will move away from 2nd and
during opening it will go inside the 2nd. Another important specialty of the valve
is its pressure drop less than the cracking pressure. This valve can be used for both
liquid and gaseous medium.

speCifiCations
• Cracking pressure : 0.35 MPa
• Reverse seal leakage : 1x10-4 sccs of GHe at 0.11 MPa at outlet
• Pressure drop : ≤ 0.25 Mpa
• Flow rate tested : 4.67g/s of GN2 at 0.56 MPa inlet pressure with
a pressure drop of 0.22 MPa

108
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
LPSC

adVantages & salient featUres

• Chatter free operation of 1st poppet.
• Lesser envelope for valve and thus lesser weight due to telescopic
arrangement of poppets.
• Pressure drop lesser than cracking pressure.
• Redundancy built in the valve
• The valve is simple in construction, robust in operation, easy to manufacture
in large scale, industry viable

appliCation(s)
• Aircraft / Aerospace industry
• Petroleum industry
• Valve manufacturers
• Fluid power machine manufacturers
• Mining industry

109
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
LPSC

Compact Pilot Operated

Command Valve with Self
Aligning Poppets
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre
has developed a novel pilot operated command valve which has a compact
envelope and offers better leak tightness compared to conventional command
valves.

prinCiple of operation
This valve is basically used to give command pressure to various control packages
used in Liquid propulsion Systems. The main valve has 6 mm port and is pilot
operated command valve which is commanded by a pilot valve of 1.2 mm port.

The main valve is a pneumatically

operated 3 way valve with bellow as
the actuator element and employs
self aligning poppets mechanism for
improving its leak tightness in the
circuit. Evidently, this design feature
improves the valves reliability
to a larger extent compared to
conventional ones. On the other
hand, the Pilot valve is a 1.2 mm port,
direct acting, 3 way solenoid valve
which gives pneumatic command
to the main valve. In addition, both
pilot valve and main valve uses soft
poppets to achieve added protection against leak. It may be noted that both
the valves are integrated on a common body to have a compact envelop thus
saving considerable weight when used in larger numbers.

110
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
LPSC

speCifiCation
• Type : Electro pneumatic, 3 way valve
• Working fluid : Ambient gas
• Valve port size, mm : 6
• Inlet & outlet dia., mm : 6
• Operating pressure, bar : 35-50
• Operating : Ambient temperature, K
• Internal leakage : <1.5 x10-2 scc/ at 50 bar, sec of GN2
• External leakage : < 1x10-6 scc/ at 25 bar, sec of GHe
• Supply voltage, VDC : 28+4
• Pull in volt at 50 bar, : 21 VDC max.
• Drop out volt at : 4 VDC min. no load condition
• Response time at 50 bar
and 28 VDC, msec Opening : 90
• Closing : 90
• Storage life, years : 7

adVantages & salient featUres

• Minimum leakage of the valve.
• Lesser envelope for valve and thus lesser weight.
• The valve is simple in construction, robust in operation, easy to manufacture
in large scale, industry viable.

appliCation(s)
• Aircraft / Aerospace industry
• Valve manufacturers
• Petroleum industry
• Fluid power machine manufacturers
• Mining industry

111
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SDSC

In-Line Disc
Fabrication Tech.
Indian Space Research Organisation at its Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-
SHAR) has developed a technology for fabrication of In-line Disc Filters.

salient featUres
• Disc filter involves unique procedure to be followed for fabrication
• The disc filters can be installed in between two flanges with gaskets
• The filters are of cleanable type and can be tested & reused

appliCation(s)
• Industry with filtration requirement of 10/30 micron .
• These filters can be accommodated in between flange joints with gaskets
• These filters can be used for Liquid and Gas application

112
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SDSC

CAN type Kerosene-Air

based Gas Generator
Indian Space Research Organisation at its Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-
SHAR) has developed a novel CAN type kerosene-air based gas generator system,
specifically for use in small scale R&D testing involving supersonic internal and
external flows.

prinCiple of operation
Ignition source is obtained through the well mixed sustainable proportion of
Acetylene and air mixture through a mixing tube. This premixed gas goes through
a burner, where is it is ignited using a high voltage spark generator. Once flame
is generated for the ignition of main fuel, viz., Kerosene-Air mixture atomized
through a three injector manifold and a flame holding device with primary,
secondary and tertiary air distribution system in annular mode. Instantaneous
generation of high pressure and high temperature, very fuel lean hot gas thus
is produced and it goes through a zig-zag mixing tube for obtaining uniform
temperature pattern.

adVantages & salient featUres

• Remote operation
• Simple in operation
• High output
• Suitable for R&D applications

appliCation(s)
• Suitable for R&D applications in space related sub systems testing. It provides
driving fluid for all internal and external supersonic scale model testing with
quick turn around time. Safer and remote operation is ensured as it involves
high pressure and high temperatures.

113
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SDSC

thick walled Pneumatic

Vibration Isolators
Indian Space Research Organisation at its Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR)
has developed a thick walled pneumatic vibration isolators of 150 kg and 2500 kg
capacity.

prinCiple of operation
The equipment to be protected is
mounted on the isolators. The number
of isolators are selected based on the
weight of the equipment and stability
requirements. The pressure is adjusted
to level the specimen with in +/- 5 mm
of the nominal height. The rubber body
and air column enclosed in it support
the load. Generally the air pressure
in the isolator offers the significant
portion of the isolation capacity of the
isolator. For shock application, the top
surface initially deflects and then the
shock loads are transferred to the outer wall. This type of isolator will be able to
support and isolate the load even if the air leaks out in some exigencies, with slight
reduction in the efficiency of isolator

114
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SDSC

specification
Capacity 150 kg 2500 kg
Base Plate size 140mmx140mmx10mm 500mmx5000mmx20mm
Overall height 105mm 120mm
Operating pressure 3.5 bar 3 bar
Isolator diameter 130 mm 478 mm
Rubber neoprene neoprene
Reinforcement in shell Steel wire of wire Steel wire of wire
region diameter 2mm diameter 5mm
Weight 2.9 kg 57.9 kg
Natural frequency 5 Hz 5 Hz
(with air)
Natural frequency 10 Hz 10 Hz
(without air)

adVantage and appliCation(s)

• The thick walled pneumatic vibration isolator is ideally suited to conditions
requiring high deflection with low natural frequency and good lateral stability.
This type of isolators requires less free height than conventional mounts.
• Automobiles, Air Compressors, Motor Generator and in Machineries

115
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
LPSC

Sit on Umbilicals for

Remote Fluid Servicing
Umbilicals are extensively used in the fields of aviation, space technology as well
as automotives. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Liquid Propulsion
Systems Centre has developed a compact and reliable sit on Umbilical which can
be used for remote fluid servicing of Launch Vehicles.

prinCiple of operation
This innovation though developed for
a specified requirement (servicing the
lower stage of launch vehicle) can be
extended to various other applications.
This system has a ground segment which
sits over the launch pedestal. The flight
segment is attached to the vehicle which
gets mated with the ground segment.

The ground segment has got a pack

of Belleville disc springs to which
gives designed sealing load & take up
longitudinal deflections. A twin spherical
ball mechanism is provided to transfer
disc spring load to ground segment and
accommodate assembly misalignments &
vehicle sway. Moreover, the system employs push open type check valves on
flight segment which enables transfer of fluid in mated condition and acts as
redundant seal in case of a system component failure.

116
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
LPSC

speCifiCation
• Accommodate vehicle sway of ±1mm
• Accommodate vehicle longitudinal deflection of 2mm in downward direction
• The ground segment & flight segment has to separate within 20mm of
vehicle lift off
• Automatic sealing devices should automatically close after vehicle lift off
ensuring leak tightness in flight
• External leak in mated condition ≤ 1x10-3 SCCS of GN2 at Room Temperature

adVantages & salient featUres

• Compact design
• No complex locking and separating mechanism
• Simple concept of self sealing connectors
• Minimum assembly and test time required at launch pad
• Provides complete testability & serviceability at launch pad
• Easy fabrication, assembly and testing

appliCation(s)
• Servicing of aircrafts
• Launch vehicle
• Oil rigging operations
• Automobile industry
• Chemicals and fertilizer industry handling toxic chemicals
• Locomotives
• Commercial gas (LPG) filling center

117
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

Method of Producing NiTi

base Shape Memory Alloys
Shape Memory Alloys (SMA’s) are metallic materials, which have the ability to return to a
predetermined shape when heated. The most common Shape Memory Metallic Material
is an alloy of Nickel and Titanium called Nitinol. Indian Space Research Organisation
(ISRO) at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) has developed a technology for
processing NiTi base Shape Memory Alloys of uniform homogeneity with good control
on deleterious impurities like Carbon, Nitrogen and Oxygen contamination.

The method consists of materials arrangement inside graphite crucible, melting

under argon atmosphere and finally casting.

salient featUres
• Simplified and Cost effective technology for processing premium quality
billets in NiTi base SMA’s and other reactive alloys
• Homogeneous product with excellent control on impurities
• Achieves economy in cost and labour and saves time by eliminating the
repeated vacuum arc remelting
• Unique way of materials arrangement in the high density graphite crucible to
reduce the contamination of the NiTi melt from the crucible
• Special tailor made vacuum induction facility for controlling carbon and
oxygen contamination in making NiTi SMA’s

118
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

appliCation(s)
• Useful in economical processing of high quality cast billets in NiTi SMA’s with
low carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen contamination. These billets can
be used to realize wrought products like Plates, Sheets, Foils, Wires, Sleeves,
Forged, Rolled and Extruded products through further mechanical working.
Inclusion content in the billets processed through this technique is very low;
hence very thin wires can be drawn without much problem from extruded
rods processed from these billets.
• The products can be used for realization of collapsible antennas, collars for
separation systems, couplings, stepper drive mechanism to drive flaps of
satellites etc.
• SMA’s have high potential for use in biomedical industries as Bone Plates,
Stents, Orthodontic Wires etc.

119
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
IIST

Elasto Magnetic Abrasive

Spheres for Super Fine
Finishing
Development of a multipurpose, flexible, simple and cost effective approach
for applying fine abrasives to finish surfaces without using slurry or altering the
form of the surface is an ideal approach for meeting many challenging industrial
applications.

Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Department of Space

has developed a novel, simple and cost effective method for the preparation
of Resilient Elasto Magnetic Abrasive Spheres for Fine Finishing of Surfaces.
These elasto magnetic abrasives can be used as simple loose abrasive balls
for fine finishing of complex and difficult to access surfaces using custom
made simple setups, as per the end user requirement. Because of magnetic
characteristics, these can also be used directly for magnetic abrasive finishing.
The novel method developed involves a simple approach to prepare elasto
magnetic abrasive spheres of varying size ranges for fine finishing of different
types of surfaces and class of materials, with the help of simple custom
made setups.

salient featUres
• Simple, cost effective and direct chemical approach of preparing high
resilient elasto magnetic spheres.
• Size of spheres, size and type of embedded abrasive grains, and elastic and
magnetic characteristics are easily controllable
• Usage for fine finishing of surfaces (typically to achieve Ra value <0.1µm)
• The elastomeric nature, that can be controlled, makes the spheres deform
itself in conformity to work surface to achieve fine finishing without
changing its form.
• Environmentally safe, chemically inert and reusable (with a possibility of re-
embedding the abrasive grains on the elastomeric spheres) under normal
working conditions.

120
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
IIST

appliCation(s)
Elasto-magnetic abrasives can be applied for fine finishing applications with the
help of custom made setups, as per the application requirements. Finishing of
surfaces in many precision components including but not limited to dies, moulds,
valves, bearing sleeves and similar intricate internal/external surfaces (including
internal circumferential grooves).

target indUstries
• Industries involved in the development of moulds, dies, fixtures, precision
valve units, highly finished bushes, bearing sleeves etc.
• Industries involved in fine finishing of internal tubes, hollow specimens,
high aspect ratio bores, EDM surfaces, intricate external surfaces, free form
surfaces.
• R&D organisations / industries for ultra fine finished surfaces for precision
engineering applications.
• Abrasion / erosion based finishing systems

pre reQUisites for prospeCtiVe liCensees

Industries interested in know how transfer of the technology shall have adequate
expertise, qualified manpower and prior and proven experience in the successful
development of products for aforementioned manufacturing sectors.

121
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
IIST

High Density Carbon Foams

Carbon foams are next generation
advanced structural materials, made up
of cellular carbon. These foams possess
low density, good specific strength and
tuneable thermal properties making
them suitable for applications in high
temperature thermal protection,
ablative materials, acoustic materials, Carbon foam body
EMI shielding and as an electrode materials in batteries and bipolar plates in
polymer membrane fuel cells.

Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Department of Space has
developed a novel, simple and cost effective method for the preparation of carbon
foams from sucrose and carbon powder. The conventional preparation process is
based on fossil fuel derived precursors. The novel method uses naturally available
renewable precursors for the preparation of carbon foams.

salient featUres speCifiCation

• Natural, renewable and cheap precursors Bulk density 0.1 to 0.3 g/cc
• Environment friendly process with no Cell size 0.5 to 2 mm
evolution of toxic by-products Specific BET surface 200 to 500 m2/g
area
• Foam properties controlled by foaming
Thermal conductivity ~0.1 W/m.K
temperature and carbon powder
Compressive 0.1 to 3 MPa
concentration
strength
• Relatively good mechanical strength CO2 adsorption 2.5 mmols/g
• Low thermal conductivity capacity

adVantages oVer ConVentional system

Conventional system uses aqueous based process for the sucrose and carbon powder where
50% water in the resin medium requires more energy for evaporation. Also, agglomeration and
sedimentation of particles in low viscous medium result in non uniform foam structure. Molten
based technique of the proposed method overcomes these disadvantages of the aqueous system.

122
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
IIST

SEM microstructure of the carbon foam Fire resistance and ablative property

appliCation(s)
• Standalone foam structure for thermal insulation.
• Sandwich structure for structural application.
• Electrode in fuel cells.
• CO2 scrubber.
• EMI shielding. 
• Target Industries: Aerospace, ship building, battery and fuel cell manufacturers.

123
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
ISAC

INNOVATIVE MASS
MEASUREMENT MECHANISM
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC) has
developed a novel Mechanism for Dual Range Mass and Centre of Mass Measurement
Machine technology. The technology is useful for highly accurate measurement of
mass and centre of gravity.

salient featUres appliCation(s)

• The novel mechanism allows dual range Mass and centre of gravity
measurement of mass and centre of gravity measurements in automobile
in a single setup industry, aerospace industry,
• Eliminates the need for multiple machines for turbine blades and rotating
measurement of varying mass of specimen machinery etc.

• Automated functioning of the machine and target indUstries

reduced human efforts in measurement and
Aerospace, Turbo Machinery, Wind
changeover
Energy and Research Institutes.
• Combines measurement of both mass and
centre of gravity in a single setup, thereby
avoiding additional handling for two
independent measurements especially for
delicate measurements

124
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

VIBRATION MANAGEMENT
SOLUTION
(Manages Motion-Minimizes Vibration,
Shock and Noise)
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Space Applications Centre (SAC)
has developed a novel Vibration Management Solution. The system is based on wire
rope mounts that provide inherent damping by virtue of relative motion between
wire strands. Delicate electronic and optical systems vulnerable to vibration and
shock can be protected using this system. The system is ideal for solving vibration
and shock difficulties encountered during transportation in space and ground
environment. Wire rope isolators accommodate large deflections without danger
of bottoming and plastically deforming, thereby offering wide range of isolation
for variety of applications.

salient featUres
• All metal construction • Maintenance free
• High inherent damping • Corrosion resistant
• Wide temperature range 100-200 • Multidofs
deg C

Various Design Approaches for AVS

teChniCal speCifiCation
Type Supported Mass (Grams) Frequency Range (Hz)
SVMS Quad-Fed 400-3000 5-2000
VMS Tri-Fed <18
SVMS Hex-Fed <65 20-2000
SVMS Platform <240

125
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

types
SVMS Quad-Fed, SVMS Tri-Fed, SVMS Hex-Fed, SVMS Platform

potential appliCation area

• Space mission payload systems and
instruments
• Delicate system suspension in
planetary landers
• Air/Road/Sea transportation
• Equipment foundation
• Chemical processing equipment
• Seismic isolation Realised AVS Approaches

126
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SDSC

HIGH PRESSURE SEEDER

FOR FLOW DIGNOSTICS OF HIGH
SPEED GASEOUS FLOWS
Indian Space Research Organisation at its Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-
SHAR) has developed a high pressure seeder which can generate 3 to 5micron
size liquid droplets and can be used for seeding high speed gaseous flows. These
spherical liquid droplets can scatter the light (Mie Scattering). Based on the light
scattering both qualitative and quantitative flow visualization like Particle Image
Velocimetry (PIV) can be carried out.

prinCiple of operation
The equipment employs suitable nozzles which are immersed in the liquid from
which the seeding particles are to be generated. Preferably, vegetable oil like
olive oil can be used. Once the air supply is given to the nozzles, required liquid
droplets is generated in the diameter range of 3 to 5microns. In order to carry
the generated seed particles at high pressure, a high pressure bleed nozzle is
also provided. This will act as carrier flow and carry the generated seed particles
to the main flow and insert the seeding particles in the required flow where
experiments are to be carried out. In order to prevent larger droplets to be picked
by the carrier flow, an impact plate is also placed inside the chamber. The system
is designed for remote operation for experiments with high pressure system.

127
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SDSC

salient featUres
• The operating pressure can be varied from very low pressure <1 bar to a high
pressure of 50 bar.
• Ideal for supersonic and hypersonic flow visualization and diagnostic
experiments for both open and confined flows
• Very simple operation with remote operation capability.
• The seed generation can be varied for suiting high and low mass flow rates by
valve adjustment.
• Contamination with the inlet gas flow for seeded particle generation is very
less.
• Since the seeder is using oil like olive oil, seeding particle will not cause any
irritation/ allergy to the operating personnel.

appliCation(s)
• Ideal for supersonic and hypersonic flow diagnostics experiments with Particle
Image Velocimetry (PIV).
• The equipment is designed for a vast range operation. The seeder can be used
for better flow visualization with gaseous flows.

128
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
ISAC

AXIALLY GROOVED ALUMINIUM

AMMONIA HEAT PIPES
Indian Space Research Organisation at its ISRO Satellite Centre has developed Heat
Pipes which are highly efficient heat transfer devices. Heat Pipes use the continuous
evaporation/condensation of a suitable working fluid for two-phase heat transport
in a closed system. Since the latent heat of vaporization of the working fluid is very
large, heat pipes transport heat at small temperature difference, with high rates.
Heat pipes are sensitive to gravity.

Performance of a heat pipe is specified by Heat Transport capability which has a

unit of Watt-meter.

Heat Pipe Working Principle

Axially grooved, constant conductance, Aluminum-Ammonia Heat pipes are

extensively used in thermal management of ISRO satellites. Heat pipes of
different shapes, lengths and configurations are developed and being used for
indigenously built satellites. These heat pipes operate in the temperature range
of -40oC to 60oC.

129
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
ISAC

A Typical Heat Pipe Extrusion Various Configurations Miniature Heat Pipe

appliCation(s)
Due to a variety of advantage\features,
axially grooved heat pipes have found
wide applications in space industries
where satellites operate under micro-
gravity environment.

Heat Pipe Cross Sections

130
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SDSC

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE BASED

GAS GENERATOR SYSTEM
Indian Space Research Organisation at its Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-
SHAR) has developed a Hydrogen Peroxide based Gas Generator using Hydrogen
Peroxide as the oxidizer, Ethanolamine as the fuel and Copper II Chloride as the
metal salt catalyst. The hypergolic nature of the fuel and oxidizer is studied and
the de-composition delay has been characterized using open cup drop tests. A
pilot scale Gas Generator has been conceived, designed,
realized and tested.

prinCiple of operation
A premixed Ethanolamine (Fuel) and Copper II
Chloride (Catalyst) are stored in a tank which is
pressurized along with Hydrogen Peroxide (with 50 %
concentration) using nitrogen cylinders and pressure
regulation system. An injector has been used in the
Gas Generator for injecting fuel and oxidizer into the
combustion chamber. Due to the hypergolic nature a
Sectional View of Gas Generator
spontaneous reaction occurs and the de-composed
gases are expanded through the perfectly expanded
C-D type nozzle.

131
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SDSC

TEST MATRIX AND RESULTS (% of metallic catalyst)

Configuration Results
Duration
test CuCl2
H 2o 2 Ethanolamine of test
Sl. No. Concentration P0 (bar) t0 (K)
(bar) Pressure (bar) (Seconds)
(%)
1 18 15 10 8.5 414 8
2 18 15 10 7.45 405 8
3 18 15 5 7.7 425 8
4 18 15 5 7.7 452 8
5 18 15 2 5.4 385 8
6 18 15 2 5.7 387 8
7 18 15 1 4.1 378 8
8 18 15 1 4.2 375 8

Process and Instrumentation Layout for Hydrogen Peroxide Gas Generator

Flow Rates Through the Injector

Ethanolamine and Hydrogen Peroxide Hydrogen Peroxide Gas
Generator Injector Components
MASS FLOW RATE MASS FLOW RATE
INJECTION ACHIEVED (Kg/s) ACHIEVED (Kg/s)
PRessURe (Through 2 injector (Through 6 injector
ports for fuel) ports for Oxidiser)
2 Ksc 0.055 0.21
4 Ksc 0.075 0.3
6 Ksc 0.085 0.36
8 Ksc 0.113 0.41 Hydrogen Peroxide Based
GG in Operation

132
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note

Sensors

133
13
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
LPSC

Thermocouple Probe
(HLP 85) temp. Sensor
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre
has developed a novel HLP-85 Temperature sensor, which will find wide industrial
and commercial applications.

prinCiple of operation
Accurate and reliable measurement of
temperatures in high pressure gaseous and
liquid media requires dedicated and specialized
thermocouple probes. The Thermocouple
probe HLP-85, developed at ISRO, is qualified
for measuring temperature under severe
environmental conditions posed by the
propellants high pressure and corrosive nature.
The sensor has a heritage of 25 years in ISRO
launch vehicle p rogrammes.

The sensor uses basic elements like Chromel/

Alumel with sheath and thermo well materials like
S.S AISI 304/316/Inconel. The sensor uses unique
construction techniques to obtain noise immunity and high response.

135
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
LPSC

speCifiCation
Temperature Range : -196 ºC To +250 ºC
Thermo Couple : K Type (0.5 Φ) Chromel-Alumel
Junction : Ungrounded
Pressure (Max) : 350 Bar
Time Constant : ≤ 0.3 s
Material Of Sheath : AISI 304 L/Z2 CN 18-10 (SS)
Insulating Material : MgO
Sensitivity : 41µ V/ ºC
Accuracy : 0 to 100 ºC ±3 ºC; 0 to -196 ºC ±7 ºC
Mass : 210grams
Electrical interface : Multi pin hermetically sealed connector

adVantages & salient featUres

• Fast response
• Wide temperature ranges
• Less weight
• Shock & vibration resistance
• Highly linear

appliCation(s)
• Space application
• Process industries
• R&D Laboratories
• Oil & Gas Industries

136
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
LPSC

Fibre Optic Liquid Level

Detector
Cryogenic fluids such as liquid Nitrogen, liquid Oxygen, liquid hydrogen and liquid
Helium find extensive application in Aviation, Space Technology and Scientific
Research. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Liquid Propulsion
Systems Centre in collaboration with Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has developed
a novel ‘Fibre Optic Liquid Level Detector’, which will find wide industrial and
commercial applications.

prinCiple of operation
A number of Liquid Vapour (L-V) and Liquid-Liquid (L-L) interface sensing
methods are used to facilitate liquid level measurements, especially related to
difficult to handle fluids such as liquid nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen and helium.
The traditional methods rely upon differences in resistance, the capacitance, the
acoustic impedance or the viscous dampening in order to sense the location of L-V
interface. However, they have their own limitations.

Fibre optic devices sense the liquid level, frequently,

through principles of reflection/refraction and
they facilitate non-invasive level detection at an
extremely high speed. The innovative “Fiber Optic
Liquid Level Detector” developed by ISRO-IISc
utilizes a ‘hollow prism’ that contains a leak tight
hollow space trapped between a pair of ‘dielectric
members’. When one of these dielectric members
is arranged at an inclined angle to other, an optical
beam launched onto the said hollow prism exhibits a ‘novel refractive behaviour’,
which constitutes the basis for the working principle of the new level detector and
is stated as under.

The optical beam emerging from the hollow prism remains either undeviated
from the direction of optical beam that is entering into the hollow prism or suffers
a deviation, depending upon whether the surface of the hollow prism from which
optical beam exits is in air or immersed in liquid respectively.

137
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
LPSC

speCifiCations
Medium : Any liquid that is transparent to the incident light
Mode of detection : Discrete detection of the L-V interface
Mounting resolution : Customer Specified upto 0.5 mm
Accuracy : Upto ± 0.1 mm
Maximum Operating : Upto 10 bar Pressure
Operating Temperature : Anywhere range between 320 K to 4.2 K
Materials in contact : User selectable with the media depending upon
the chemical and thermal Properties of the
media under measurement
adVantages & salient featUres
• With the use of hollow prism, the level detection process depends only on
the refractive index of the liquid and not on liquid temp. and pressure, which
change dynamically in cryo liquid environment.
• Simple in construction, robust in operation, easy to manufacture in large scale,
industrially viable. Suitable for a variety of fluids and very fast responses.
• The product does not require optical surfaces of high accuracy.
• Elimination of recalibration whenever a liquid under test is changed.
• Identical response-time for liquid level detection, during the filing as well as
the draining operations.
• Traditional methods with high cost, slow response, heavy weight and potential
“electric spark hazard”, pose several questions on their reliability, especially
when used in detection of the liquid levels in fuel tanks in aerospace industry

138
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
LPSC

appliCation(s)
“Fiber Optic Liquid Level Detector” with little or no modification will find wide
commercial and industrial applications in aerospace, aviation, pharmaceutical,
chemical, petrochemical industry and in scientific research:

• The product can be used to detect the liquid level of any transparent fluid.
• Measurement of fuel and oxidiser levels in large tanks of the cryo system is
crucial, particularly when application area involves sensing and regulation of
complex instrumentation tasks in a coordinated manner.
• The device will find application as “Green Monitoring Device”, in a variety of
areas especially for sensing and controlling the quality and quantity of fuels,
thereby contributing towards monitoring for environmental pollution control.
• Handling of petrochemical and chemically harsh liquids during storage and
bulk transportation.
• “Built in device” in tanks of various sizes for detection of quantity of residual
fuels in a more accurate manner.
• Optical approach ensures an electrically passive and inherently spark free
sensing operation. In explosive environment, such features help to realize a
safe operation with increased efficiency and reduced maintenance loads.
• Reliable monitoring of fluids quantitatively during filling or emptying of tanks
at high flow rates.

139
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
LPSC

Ultrasonic Liquid
Level Sensor
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre
has developed a novel level sensor, which will find wide industrial and commercial
applications.

prinCiple of operation
USLS does the function of sensing the presence of liquid medium between its
sensing gap. The standard sensor is typically integrated with the sensing element
called the “SENSOR HEAD” and electrically connected to a 5 pin Lemo electrical
connector. The sensor is constructed using AISI 304L stainless steel.

One Ceramic disc, the “TRANSMIT

TRANSDUCER” is used to convert
electrical signal to an ultrasonic signal
which is then transmitted across the
sensing gap. The other Disk “RECEIVE
TRANSDUCER” receives the ultrasonic
signal and converts it into an electrical
signal. The attenuation of ultrasound
signals between the transmitter and
receiver varies with the medium.
The attenuation is high for air and
low for liquids. This change in signal
level enables the electric control unit
(separate unit) to sense the presence
or absence of liquid.

140
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
LPSC

speCifiCation
Immersion Length : 125mm (Approx)
Level detection : 75 mm below mounting flange
Working liquids : N204, UDMH, water and any fluid with high density
difference between vapour phase and liquid phase.
Fluids pressure : 10 bar (Abs)
Test pressure : 15 bar (Abs)
Operating Temperature : 0 to 70ºC
Material : SS 304 L
Vibration Resistant : 13.5g, 20-2000 Hz Random
Electrical interface : Multipin electrical connector
Mechanical interface : Threaded connection

adVantages & salient featUres

• Miniature/low cost
• Less Weight
• High output
• Low hysteresis
• Shock and vibration resistant
• High dynamic response

appliCation(s)
• Automotive
• Oceanography
• Vacuum pressure measurement
• Process and chemical Industries
• Automatic weather stations
• Space applications

141
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
LPSC

PTS 84 Temperature
Sensor
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre
has developed temperature sensor, which will find wide industrial and commercial
applications

prinCiple of operation
Accurate and reliable measurement of temperatures
in high pressure gaseous and liquid media requires
dedicated and specialized sensors. The PTS-84 an
RTD type temperature sensor, developed at ISRO, is
qualified for measuring temperature under severe
environmental conditions posed by the propellants
high pressure and corrosive nature.

The basic element used here is a wire wound platinum

sensor which has 100Ω at 0 ºC and encapsulated with
S.S AISI 304/316/Inconel material. The sensor uses
unique construction techniques to achieve noise
immunity and high response.

speCifiCation
Temperature Range : -196ºC to 250ºC
Time Constant : ≤ 3.0 s
Material of Sheath : AISI 304L/Z2 CN 18-10 (S.S.)
Sensitivity : 0.39 µ V / ºC
Accuracy : 3.92±0.3×10-3 / ohm/ºC
Resistance at 0ºC : 100.0± 0.25 ohms
Mass : ≤ 100 g
Max. Pressure : 300 Bar
Electrical interface : Multi-pin hermetically sealed connector

142
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
LPSC

adVantages & salient featUres

• Accurate
• Reliable Measurement
• Linear
• Rugged
• Less weight
• Can withstand high flow rate
• Stable

appliCation(s)
• Space application
• Process Industries
• R&D Laboratories
• Oil & Gas Industries

143
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
LPSC

Differential Pressure
Transducer
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) at its Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre
has developed a Differential Pressure Transducer (DPT), which will find wide
industrial and commercial applications.

prinCiple of operation
A DPT is used where the difference in pressures at two points are to be measured.
The forces developed due to these pressures (say P1 and P2) act on a balanced
beam called sensing element. Four foil strain
gauges are bonded on this sensing element
beam which deforms proportionately to
the difference between P1 and P2. The
electrical output signal is positive when
P1 is greater than P2 and vice versa.
A mechanical stopper limits the deflection of
sensing beam within the specified limits.

The DPT can be used for liquid medium or

gaseous medium or even a combination
of both. They are hermetically sealed and
suitable for high humidity environment.
Any failure of the sensing element will be
contained within the sensor and no catastrophic damage is caused to the system
outside.

144
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
LPSC

speCifiCation
Differential : ± 3, ± 5, ± 7,
pressure range ± 10, ± 15
Line pressure : 65 bar
Safe overload : 75 bar
Excitation : 10 V ± 5 mV
Output : 10m V ± 1 mV
Non Linearity + : ≤0.5% F.S.O Hysteresis
Hysteresis : ≤0.3% F.S.O
Sensitivity : ± 1mV/V
Zero & F.S.O drift : ± 2 x 10-4 in temperature/F.S.O/oC
Noise due to vibration : ≤1% F.S.O
Mass : ≤950 gms
Maximum current : 28 mA @ 10 V.D.C
Wetted parts : Stainless steel, 316L/304L
Mechanical interface : M14 x 1.5 male 2 nos.
Electrical interface : Multi-pin hermetically sealed electrical connector

adVantages & salient featUres

• Rugged
• Hermetically Sealed
• Vibration resistance
• Compatible with corrosive fluid environments

appliCation(s)
• Aerospace
• Process Industries
• Air and Gas Compressors
• Oil and gas industry

145
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
LPSC

Absolute Pressure Sensing

(21 NA) Transducer
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) at its Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre
has developed 21 NA Pressure Transducer, which will find wide industrial and
commercial applications.

prinCiple of operation
21NA Pressure transducers is space qualified
and is compact, accurate and light weight.
These transducers are intended for absolute
pressure sensing. The active element is a
stainless steel membrane which senses the
pressure to be measured. The membrane
transmits a force in proportion to the
pressure, to an isostatic beam on which four
active strain gauges are bonded in a wheat
stone bridge circuit. These transducers are
totally enclosed, adequately temperature
compensated and are designed to operate
even under adverse environmental
conditions. They are hermetically sealed and
suitable for high humidity environment as
well. Any failure of the sensing element will
be contained within the sensor and no catastrophic damage outside is ensured.
These transducers have a heritage of long term use in satellites as well. These
sensors have 30 years heritage in ISRO launch vehicle programmes.
These transducers are mainly meant for application in the areas of aerospace,
process industries, air and gas compressors, oil and gas industry, wind tunnel
studies etc.

146
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
LPSC
speCifiCation
Measuring Ranges (Bar) : 0-3, 0-5, 0-7,
0-10, 0-15, 0-20,
0-30, 0-50, 0-70,
0-100, 0-200,
0-300 and
0-330 Bar.
Nominal Excitation : 10 V DC ± 5 m V Safe over load
For 0-3 to 0-20 bar : 2X Nominal pressure
For 0-30 bar : 40 bar
For 0-50 to 0-200 bar : 2X Nominal pressure
For 0-300 to 0-330 bar : 500 bar
Full Scale Output (FSO) : 20 to 21 m V For 10 Volts Excitation
Non Linearity + Hysteresis
For 0-30 to 0-300 Bar : ≤ 0.7% FSO
For 0-330 Bar : ≤ 0.85% FSO
Hysteresis : ≤ 0.5% FSO
Sensitivity : 2-0.1 mV/V
Zero & Nominal point : ≤ 2 X 10-4 / drift in temperature FSO/ 0C
Noise Due to Vibration : ≤ 1% FSO
Mass : ≤ 100 grams
Electrical interface : Multi-pin hermetically sealed connector

adVantages & salient featUres appliCation(s)

• Compact & Light Weight • Aerospace
• Hermetically Sealed • Process Industries
• Can withstand shock • Air and Gas Compressors
• Vibration resistance upto 30grms • Oil and gas industry.
• High Dynamic Response • Automobiles
• Compatible with corrosive fluid • Wind Tunnel Studies
environments • Oceanography

147
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
LPSC

Integral Diaphragm (IDLV)

Pressure Transducer
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre
has developed a novel IDLV Pressure Transducer, which will find wide industrial
and commercial applications.

prinCiple of operation
The IDLV stands for Integral diaphragm type pressure transducer, which is an
absolute pressure sensor that is space qualified. The transducer has the unique
characteristic like high accuracy output,
rugged construction and hermetic sealing.

It has 5 fabricated parts and is especially

suited for high volume production due to
ease of fabrication and assembly. It has a
machined diaphragm made of stainless steel
for 0-30 bar to 0-500 bar pressure ranges.
One circular strain gauge is bonded on the
diaphragm to measure the strain developed
in it. The diaphragm is specially cryo treated
to ensure high long term stability. In order
to reduce power consumption 1000Ω strain
gauges are selected.

Another advantage of this transducer is that it can be custom designed in any

range from 30 bar to 500 bar. Additionally, any damage to the sensing element will
be contained within the sensor thus avoiding any sort of catastrophic damage in
the system.

148
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
LPSC

speCifiCation
Range in bar : 30, 50, 70, 100,
200, 300, 330 &
500 Bar
(currently
manufactured
ranges
Safe overload : 2 times operating pressure for all ranges
(Proof Pressure)
Secondary : Upto 800 Bar Containment Pressure
Nominal Excitation : 10 V DC nominal
FSO for 10 V Excitation : 20 mV +1 mV
Temperature drift of : < ± 2.0X10-4/
zero and FSO FSO/0C
Non linearity + : < ± 0.3 % FSO Hysterisis
Sensitivity : 2 ± 0.1 m V/V
Dimension / Mass : Φ 25 x72 mm / 105 gms
Electrical interface : Multi-pin hermetically sealed connector
Mechanical interface : M14 x1.5 Male / Nut and nipple

adVantages & salient featUres appliCation(s)

• Any range from 30 to 500 bar can be custom • Space industry
designed and manufactured. • Oceanography
• Compatible with corrosive & harsh fluid
• Oil and gas industry
environments
• Automobile
• Full Stainless Steel Construction
• E.B welded and hermetically sealed • Biomedical engineering
• Low Cost • Mining safety and process
industry
• High Accuracy
• Rugged
• Shock 50gm
• Vibration resistance upto 30grms
• High dynamic response
• Fast response

149
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SDSC

Slurry Temperature
Sensing System
Indian Space Research Organisation at its Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-
SHAR) has developed a sensor for measuring temperature of Propellant Slurry in
the Mixer Bowl.

During Propellant Mixing Process, Temperature of Slurry is to be closely maintained

to realize proper product mix. For this measurement of Slurry Temperature inside
the bowl is to be done accurately in safe manner. For this special mould assembly
with resin for the thermocouple sensors is conceived and fabricated. The sensors
proved to be efficient, reliable and sturdy and have facilitated delicate and special
process instrumentation requirement.

salient featUres
• Flushes with the inside surface of
the bottom of bowl and do not
protrude into the mix since the
clearance between blade-blade
and blade-bowl is very minimum
• Intrinsic safe
• Fast response and does not create
Vm Bowl
any conduction errors by its very
existence
• Better performance, reliable and
less expensive

appliCation(s)
• All chemical industries, process
plants, refineries, production
centers, where precision
and reliable temperature
measurement with safe methods
are needed

150
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SDSC

FINE TEMPERATURE CONTROL

THROUGH THYRISTOR
CONTROL SYSTEM
Indian Space Research Organisation at its Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) has
developed Thyristor based temperature control system for hardware and propellant
processing programmes to achieve fine temperature control with minimum spatial
variation in autoclaves, hot air oven, curing hot air circulation system and curing hot water
circulation system.
prinCiple of operation
For effecting Temperature Control Strategy, process ON/OFF Control @ 60 °C
controllers are employed. For example, in main curing ovens
which are using On/Off Control Strategy, the higher capacity
heater banks 1 & 2 will be set, with lower temperature set
points at 40 Deg C and 55 Deg C to bring up the temperature
quickly within 45 minutes. The third bank will be set at 59.5
Deg C. This will be maintained throughout the process, to
achieve 60 Deg C inside ovens with Rocket Segment. With
On/Off Control Systems, the response achieved is cyclic and
also dispersion will be more. Though this system is simple and
straight forward, the final agreement of process value with Thyristor Based Control @ 60 °C
set point will be having appreciable differential. Since entire
Heater bank load is switched on and off, every time, when
set point is crossed, the oven will have huge heat quantity
inside and hence will result in process parameter oscillations,
continuously and it will be difficult to achieve process values
close to expected set value. In order to reduce oscillations in
temperature, Thyristor is introduced in the process.
The Thyristor will be driven by proportional analog
signal from a PID Controller or from a PLC/PAC based system. The analog output will
be programmed and configured to vary according to the differential of PV & SP, from
maximum value to minimum value. Thyristor, triggered by the analog signal, will fire in
proportion to this and energise the heaters accordingly. The Thyristor power output will
also vary from maximum value to minimum value, just as the analog output signal does
and can be suitably regulated by parameters configuration. This step ensures that, heaters
deliver heat load, in progressive fashion into the system and does not create conditions
for oscillations, as in On/ Off control.

151
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SDSC

salient featUres
• By using ON/OFF Control strategy, the spatial ON/OFF & Thyristor Control @
variation observed is +/- 2 Deg C. After using 60°C, 70°C, 80°C & 90°C
(Cyclic Effect– On/Off, Without Cyclic
Effect – Thyristor Control)
Thyristor Control system, the spatial variation,
achieved, is +/- 0.5 Deg C. The precise control
established, is very beneficial to curing process and
helps turn out quality product, with remarkable
repeatability.
• Process value dispersions, inaccuracies and cyclic
effects minimized, ensuring better product quality
and enhanced process performance.
• User friendly design of the system, enables users, to carry out the operations,
smoothly, with convenience and also helps monitoring the important
parameters well.
• Compatibility and interfaceability of the system for upward integration.

appliCation(s)
• This technology will be beneficial for Industries where fine temperature
control is needed.

152
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note

Antenna

153
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
NRSC

Dual Polarized, S&X Band

Monopulse Feed for
Tracking LEO Satellites
Indian Space Research Organisation at its National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC)
has developed a dual polarized S/X Band feed to cater for data reception from
remote sensing satellites, which adopts frequency re-use for data transmission.
The development of feed has enhanced the data rate capability of ground station,
which is essential to acquire high resolution imagery data from future missions.
The feed comprises of S and X band radiating elements, polarizer, comparator for
extracting Sum and Difference signals (AZ &EL). The feed is a single channel
mono pulse tracking feed which provides high tracking accuracy to auto track
the satellites in X-Band and S-band. The feed system has been integrated with a
reflector of 7.5 m diameter in Cassegrain configuration. The antenna & feed system
provides a high G/T to receive data through LHCP and RHCP signals simultaneously.
The dual polarized feed designed for frequency re-use facilitates high data rate
signal reception, which otherwise is impossible, due to limited bandwidth available
in X-Band signal reception.

Integrated X-band feed assembly X-band radiating element

155
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
NRSC

salient featUres
• The feed, designed for mono pulse tracking, provides high tracking accuracy in
X-band. The criticality of the tracking in X-band with very narrow beam width
has been achieved
• It is a composite feed, which performs tracking and receiving data in S&X-
band. S-band feed contains circular helices and X-band contains dielectric
rods
• This dual polarized feed is capable of tracking in four modes, such as X-RHCP,
X-LHCP, S-RHCP and S-LHCP. This provides the user great amount of flexibility
as it has the capability of operating in either of these modes which one is
receiving more signal strength or according to user’s choice
• Instead of using conventional four horns or five horns as feed element,
dielectric rod radiating elements with high aperture efficiency, rotationally
symmetric beams with low side lobe levels, have been used
• A septum polarizer is designed to separate LHCP and RHCP component
and produce linear polarized signal for the for comparator output. Septum
polarizer exhibits good return loss and isolation between two ports, which
receive orthogonal polarized components
• S-band elements are composed of 20 turn tapered helix wound on a nylon
former. Total eight helices are used -four for RHCP and four for LHCP, capable of
tracking in both orthogonal polarized mode

appliCation(s)
The feed system has been integrated with a reflector of 7.5 m diameter in Cassegrain
configuration and the system is being uses at National Remote Sensing Centre, ISRO
to receive data from Low Earth Orbiting Earth Observation Satellites. The antenna
& feed system provides a high G/T to receive data through LHCP and RHCP signals
simultaneously.

156
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

MULTI-LAYER PRINTED
ANTENNA TECHNOLOGY
Space Applications Centre of Indian Space Research Organisation at Ahmedabad
has developed multilayer printed antenna array technology and delivered antenna
for various ISRO’s projects. The salient feature of technology includes light weight
structure, can be made conformal to the surface, computer controlled automated
fixture for aligning layers, inspection of layers and bonding of layers.

There is an ever increasing demand of

multilayer printed antenna from mobile
communication to very sophisticated
space qualified active phased array
antenna systems.

The design includes the usage new type

of light weight low dielectric constant
material for high radiation efficiency, low
surface wave propagation, low cross polar
suppression.

The development include fixture capable of performing surface roughness using

laser, inspection of PCB, high speed drilling, vacuum bagging for bonding all the
antenna layers and vacuum gripping for pick and place.

appliCation(s)
• Mobile Communication
• VSAT Terminals
• Electronic controlled Active
Phased Array Antenna
• MSS Type C and D
• GPS and GPR

157
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

terminal speCifiCations
Antenna Type : Planar
Cross Polarization : Better Than -30 dB
Beam width and Gain : As per specification (efficiency better than 60%)
Bandwidth : up to 40 % (2:1 VSWR)
Polarization : Vertical/Horizontal/Circular
Size : up to 1.2 M X 1.2 M
Alignment : 20 micron
Inspection : 10 micron
Repeatability : 5 Micron
Curing Chamber : 1.3 M X 1.3 M
Magnification : 50 X / 100 X
Clean Room : Class 1 lac
Drilling Speed : 40,000 rpm
Adhesive : Prepreg

158
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

Near Field Test Range

Facility (NFTR)
There are numerous applications in the field of Radars and Communications that
use Phase Array Antenna. One of the major concerns for the Design Engineer is to
validate the far field pattern of the Antenna.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has developed the near field
measurement processing instrumentation & software to measure and process the
near field Antenna measurement data. This facility
includes electronic hardware, mechanical system
and software.

salient featUres
• Near field data processing software has no
frequency limitations
• All the systems required for Defence / Space for
various Radars can be completed in less time
• Ability to measure Antenna pattern using time
gating approach and does not need elaborate
anechoic chambers. In this way it is amenable for
in situ pattern measurements
• The system can be used for active array Antenna
measurements with bidirectional test facility and Pulsed Domain near field antenna facility
passive Antenna measurements.
• The radar hardware can be utilized to measure he the radar antenna pattern
without any external signal and recording sources, provided the radar is
operating with pulse compression
• The present system can measure the composite antenna pattern over the systems
complete bandwidth in one shot

appliCation(s)
• Active array Antenna measurements with bidirectional test facility and passive
antenna measurements.
• To measure the Radar Antenna pattern without any external signal and
recording sources.

159
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

High Power Compatible

Passive Inter-Modulation
Free Focal Plane Helix Feed
Array Antenna
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Space Applications Centre has
developed a focal plane helix feed array antenna. It is capable of handling high
power of the order of 250 Watts per element. Helix feed array is designed and
realized with materials and processes which are passive inter modulation free.
Measured passive inter-modulation level is below -200 dBc.

salient featUres
• Waveguide ridge transformer for
impedance matching & High power
handling
• Helix machined in single piece along
with the ridge transformer
• Low mutual coupling

appliCation(s)
• Feed array antennas in multiple beam
antennas
• Elements in array antennas and as a feed
in reflector antennas

160
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

UNIFIED HYBRID HORN

ANTENNA
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Space Applications Centre
has developed a Unified Hybrid Horn Antenna for transmitting/receiving
electromagnetic waves and more particularly; as feed for reflector antenna and
also as stand-alone antenna.

The novel configuration of the horn comprises mainly three sections:

• Linear/non-linear smooth-walled taper or stepped section at throat

• Variable slot depth/width axial corrugated section in the mid section
• Single-depth spline-profiled or dual-depth spline-profiled or multi-section/
piece-wise linear radial corrugated section or multi-nonlinear profile toward
aperture side.

This design approach provides

flexibility to design a variety
of hybrid horn antennas with
different edge taper at semi-
subtended angle or peak gain
with excellent RF performances for
different size of reflector antenna
or stand-alone applications. RF
and microwave industries involved
in the design and development of
TR modules, airborne and space Realised AVS Approaches
radar systems will benefit from this invention.

161
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

salient featUres
• The proposed configuration provides greater flexibility for the design of
tailored high electrical performance like cross-polar level, return loss, edge
taper, aperture efficiency, gain, phase center stability etc.
• Reduction in axial length and aperture size.
• Ease in fabrication.
• Compact size.

appliCation(s)
Feed system for reflector antenna and stand-alone direct radiating horn antenna
for Spacecraft antenna, Ground antenna and VSAT antenna.

162
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note

Application
Technology

163
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

GROUND PENETRATION RADAR

Indian Space Research Organisation at it Space Application Centre has developed Ground
Penetration Radar (GPR), which is a high resolution electromagnetic imaging technique
that works on the principle of scattering of electromagnetic waves to locate buried objects.
It is used primarily to investigate subsurface profiles of the earth or planetary surface. GPR
is a method that finds applications in environmental, engineering, archeological, and other
shallow investigations.

GPR operates by transmitting high frequency waves directing down into the ground
via a wideband antenna. When the transmitted signal enters the ground and reaches
objects or mediums with different electrical and dielectric properties, part of the signal
is reflected off. This reflected energy is then sensed by the receiver antenna. Ground
penetrating radar relies on several factors
for target detection:

(i) Efficient coupling of

electromagnetic radiation into
the ground
(ii) Adequate penetration of the
radiation through the ground
with regard to target depth
(iii) Obtaining from buried objects or
other dielectric discontinuities a
sufficiently large back scattered signal for detection at the ground surface.

salient featUres
• Frequency : 250 - 750 MHz
• Polarization : Single Polarization
• Scan Speed : 1 m/s
• DC Power
Requirement : <10W
• Volume : 20cm x 20cm x 10cm(ht)
• Mass : 1 kg
• Penetration Depth: 6 m
• Depth Resolution : 0.3m

165
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

PHOTOSYNTHESIS IRRADIANCE
INCUBATOR
Space Applications Centre (ISRO), Ahmedabad has designed and developed a
photosynthetic irradiance incubator (photosynthetron) for marine and fresh water
applications. This is used to measure the photosynthetic-rate parameters (PI) of
phytoplankton, the microscopic, photosynthesising green plants of the ocean.
PI parameters constitute an important element for modelling and estimating
oceanic primary production using remote sensing data. The major components
of the photosynthetron are the main incubation chamber, source lamp, lamp
housing chamber, flat rectangular bottles on a movable rack, temperature sensor,
submersible pump, motor and gear box.

method of operation
• The photosynthetron
incubates a sample of
phytoplankton with a tracer
under controlled light
gradient provided by a
light source and a series of
optical screens, designed
to simulate light depths of
aquatic environment.
• The incubation chamber houses linearly arranged twelve bottles on a rack
containing phytoplankton sample and the rack is attached with a gear system
for continuous tilting motion to allow phytoplankton to remain in suspension
as in natural environment.
• The chamber is filled with water which is continuously circulating.
A temperature sensor monitors the temperature of the water bath, which
helps in maintaining the desired ambient water temperature for the samples.
The period of incubation of the sample is programmable.

potential Users
All laboratories, research institutes, universities involved in marine &
oceanographic research especially in the area of primary production by
phytoplankton and fisheries.

166
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
NARL

Elastic Raman LIDAR (ERL)

A state of the art low cost Elastic Raman LIDAR (ERL) System has been successfully
developed and demonstrated by ISRO at its National Atmospheric Research Laboratory
(NARL) for remote sensing the atmospheric water vapour and aerosols in the
boundary layer.

speCifiCations
Laser : Nd:YAG,
Third harmonic
Wavelength : 355 nm
Laser energy
per pulse : 100 mJ
Repetition rate : 10 Hz
Beam-divergence : 0.5 mRad
Telescope : 350 mm
Field of View : 4 m Rad
(Half-angle) Schematic of Elastic Raman LIDAR
No. of receivers : Three
Vertical resolution : 7.5 m and multiples of 2
Range : Lower atmosphere
Operation : Night time for water vapour and Day and
Night time for aerosols
Water vapor measurement accuracy : less than 1% in one hour measurement in
the atmospheric boundary layer

prinCiple of operation
The ERL system is an optical remote sensing instrument for investigations of the
atmosphere and it uses the property of elastic and molecular Raman scattering.
The ERL instrument transmits laser beam into the atmosphere, and a telescope
collects the return signals, including direct backscatter, vibrational Raman signals
at several wavelengths. The return signals are then detected and processed to
obtain measurement of atmospheric structure and constituents. The intensity of a

167
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
NARL

vibrational Raman signal is directly proportional to the density of the scattering

molecule and independent of other molecular species. The wavelength shift and
narrow spectral width of the Raman return signal allows it to be distinguished
from the other resources of elastically scattered radiation.

Components of raman lidar

The major components of ERL are Laser unit for generating very fine laser pulses
at UV wavelengths for probing the atmosphere, telescope to collect the laser
backscatter from particles and gas molecules in the direction of laser probing,
optical units of Lidar system containing iris, wavelength separation mirrors,
field and collimating lens, neutral density (ND) filters, interference filters and
photomultiplier tubes. The other components include a receiver unit employing
both analog and photon counting detection technologies. A computer system
is used for auto controlling of receiver operation and for managing the data
manipulation.

salient featUres
• Simultaneously provides water vapor and aerosol data, both in analog and
photon counting detection methods.
• Operation during day and night for profiling aerosol and clouds. This elastic
channel data at 355 nm provides the aerosol and cloud backscatter data up
to a height range of 17 km in daylight periods. However, during nighttimes it
can go beyond 30 km
• Transmitter and receiver configured in a way to avoid need for optical
alignment
• Monitoring the laser power through a beam sampler on continuous basis
• Near horizontal operation of lidar is possible
• Remote operation of LIDAR system using Ethernet control
• The Lidar data acquisition and controlling software enables for summation/
averaging of lidar data, range height map generation, converting acquired
data into ASCII format in real-time

CUrrent installation
National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL), ISRO, Gadanki, AP.

168
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
NARL

appliCation(s)
• ERL can be used for the measurement of water vapour, which is of great
importance not only in the studies related to the meteorology, but also plays
a key role in understanding the ecological change, green house effect and
interaction between forest and atmosphere
• ERL facilitates to understand the specific humidity effects on particle physical
and optical properties and thus plays an important role in the measurement of
altitude distribution of aerosol properties
• Knowledge of water vapour distribution in the atmosphere is needed for
improved understanding of atmospheric processes including atmospheric
chemistry
• ERL will find application in measurement of water vapour distribution, which
has direct impact on natural disasters, such as cyclones, storms, low pressure
systems etc. Water vapour has been found to be the main energy source
for cyclones and water vapour measurement can aid in estimating cyclone
strength and direction.
• Accurate determination of stable boundary layer is possible with altitude
distribution of high resolution water vapor data, which is very important for
modelling of stable boundary layer over land regions
• Simultaneous measurement of Nitrogen molecular distribution along with
water vapor and elastic backscatter provides an important climate related
study of aerosol extinction in the atmosphere. ERL equipped with Nitrogen
molecular channel provides an independent method of measurement of
particle extinction in the boundary layer, which is vital for radiative transfer/
climate related studies
• Continuous measurement of elastic backscatter provides information on
formation of stable, mixed and residual layers in the boundary layer

169
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
NARL

Lower Atmospheric Wind

Profiling (LAWP) Radar
Observations of wind velocity profiles are very important for studying meteorological
phenomena and for weather forecasting. Radar Wind Profiler (RWP), a coherent-
pulse-Doppler-radar, is one of the most suitable remote sensing instruments for
observing height profiles of three components of wind velocity vector, including
the vertical velocity, with high time and height resolutions without influence of
weather conditions. The Lower Atmospheric Wind Profiling Radar (LAWP) developed
by ISRO provides the data to study the dynamics of the lower atmosphere
(upto 4-5 km).

speCifiCations prinCipal of operation

Frequency : 1280 MHz Atmospheric radars derive
Technique : Doppler beam Swinging information on the dynamical
Antenna Type : Microstrip Patch atmospheric phenomenon by
Array making use of variations in
Array Size : 8x8 (1.4 m x 1.4 m) amplitude and frequency of radio
Beam Width : 90 waves which are transmitted from
Beam Former : Passive radar system, back scattered by the
Beams : 25 atmosphere and again received by
Tx/Rx Type : Solid State the radar system.
Transceivers (64)
Radio wave propagation is affected
Peak Power : 0.8 kW
by the refractive index of the
Duty Ratio : Upto 10%
atmosphere, which primarily
Pulse Width : 0.25 – 8.0 µs
depends upon the temperature,
NCI : 4 - 1000
pressure and humidity. The
NFFT : 32 -1024
atmosphere is in a constant state
Range Bins : 1-256 of agitation, which produces
Receiver : Super Hetrodyne irregular, small scale variations in
Detection : Direct IF Digital the temperature and moisture over
Dynamic Range : 70 dB relatively short distances. The wind,
Min. Height : 100 m as it varies in direction and speed,
Max. Height : 3-5 km produces turbulent eddies, which

170
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
NARL

produce variations in the refractive

index of air that initiate scattering.
As the irregularities in refractive
index are carried by the wind, they
prove to be good tracers of wind.

The electromagnetic pulse radiated

by the radar is scattered due to the
random irregularities present in the
refractive index of the atmosphere.
Back scattered echoes received
Block Diagram and Photograph of LAWP Radar
by the radar are analysed for their
intensity and Doppler shifts. The intensity and Doppler shifts measured in three
(or more) radial directions are used to derive the wind vector of the atmosphere.

ConfigUration of radar
LAWP Radar consists of a simplified active microstrip patch 8x8 array, solid state TR
modules, a passive two dimensional beam forming network, which can generate
25 usable beams, a Direct-IF Digital receiver, a PC based Radar Controller. Entire
wind profiler system is kept in an air conditioned shelter of 1.5m x 1.9m x 1.8m size.
This profiler can be transported easily on a TATA ACE vehicle and can be deployed
at different locations.

salient featUres CUrrent installation

• Simplified active aperture National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL), ISRO,
Gadanki, AP.
• Solid state transmit receive
modules
researCh appliCation(s)
• Calibration free passive
LAWP radar is a potential tool to carry out research
BFN
studies such as Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL)
• Direct IF Digital Receiver
Dynamics (Winds, Turbulence structure), Seasonal
• Pulse compression and Inter annual variations, Interaction between
• Continuous operation the ABL and the free troposphere, Vertical profiles
capability of precipitation, Bright band Characterization,
• Range resolution: 37.5 m Monitoring the height of the melting layer and
• Transportability the vertical extent of hydrometeors, Rain/Cloud
drop size distribution etc.

171
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
NARL

Diurnal variation of horizontal wind

Radar observations during convective and stratiform precipitation

operational appliCation(s)
Improved short-range forecasting, numerical weather prediction models, air
pollution, civil aviation and flight planning, identification of atmospheric ducts,
air pollution prediction, wind shear monitoring, temperature profiling in the radio
acoustic sounding system (RASS) mode, rocket and missile launching etc.

172
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

Pico Satellite Orbital

Deployer (POD)
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
(VSSC) has developed the technology for a mechanism for ejection of box shaped
satellite weighing upto 3 kg by remote
command from an enclosure through the
application of spring force. The mechanism
includes holding and releasing the swing
door of the enclosure, ejection of satellite
after a delay from swing opening of door.

The system is designed, developed and

qualified for aerospace applications.
Effectiveness of the mechanism has been
depicting the ABL
A Diurnal variation of radar reflectivity (SNR)

tried out through a large number of

functional tests and on one of the PSLV
Nanosat Ejection System
flights.

This technology–Nano Satellite Ejection

System is now available for transfer to
industries. In addition to ejection of satellites
from launch vehicles, this technology can be
utilized for other applications that require
ejection of hazardous substances by remote
command in a reliable and safe way.

Nanosatellite being ejected

173
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
NRSC

DETECTION OF LANDSLIDES
FROM HIGH RESOLUTION OPTICAL
SATELLITE DATA
Indian Space Research Organisation at its National Remote Sensing Centre has
developed a advanced technique for detecting landslides from high reolution
satellite data.

Landslide is a major natural disaster in India or countries elsewhere where significant

portion of landmass is in mountainous areas. A new technique using advanced
object-based image classification method is developed to automatically detect
landslides from satellite data. This technique imitates the human interpretation
process in identification of landslides.

the proCess of landslide deteCtion

The common noticeable feature after occurrence of landslides is the loss of
vegetation and exposure fresh rock and soil. This unique property of a landslide in
combination with its relationship with slope related parameters is used to create a
generic routine.

All the characteristic features of landslides derived from satellite data (e.g. NDVI,
brightness) and DEM (e.g. slope, relief, curvature) were fused together in a series of
steps comprising of controlled segmentation, merging, classification, thresholding
etc. To increase the robustness and transferability of the landslide, a data driven
thresholding approach using K-means algorithm was employed. The knowledge-
based approach was further strengthened by utilising change detection technique
that increased the landslide detection accuracy from 76.4 % to 96.7%. The minimum
size of the landslide that can be detected using this method depends upon the
resolution of the satellite data. However, using 5.8 m resolution data, a landslide of
774 sq. m was detected.

174
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
NRSC

[Few steps, from segmentation to classification, of the object-based landslide detection technology
developed to detect landslides]

mUlti-sCale ClassifiCation
Inherent scales in the satellite data depending upon the sizes of the landscape features are
identified objectively. This helps to eliminate landslide false positives (e.g. river sand, barren
land, buildings, roads, uncultivated agricultural land etc.) accurately thereby increasing the
accuracy of landslide detection process.

[Agricultural lands (AL), generally of larger size in comparison to roads (Rd)

were accurately identified using a larger scale factor (left image)
where as roads were classified with a small scale factor (right image)]

175
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
NRSC

salient featUres
• The technique combines spectral, shape, texture, morphometric and
contextual information derived from high resolution satellite data and DEM for
the preparation of new and historical landslide inventories
• selection of landslide diagnostic parameters and their use in the
comprehensive characterisation of different types of landslides, a concept
which is addressed for the first time for detection of landslides in an object-
based environment
• Applying a change detection method using archived satellite data, a maximum
landslide detection accuracy of 96.7% in Okhimath area of the Uttarakhand
state could be achieved
• The method has been validated in other mountainous terrains of India that has
a different geological and geomorphological setup

appliCation(s)
This technology can be used to create routine landslide inventories e.g. on monthly
or annual basis for large Himalayan region in India. This technology can also be
used for land cover classification or vegetation change detection after suitable
adaptation, since few land cover units such as barren land, agricultural land has
already been identified as false positives of landslides.

176
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

Distress Alert
Transmitter
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has developed an INSAT based
Distress Alert Transmitter (DAT), which will find wide commercial and special
applications.

INSAT based Distress Alert

Transmitter (DAT) is used to
transmit emergency conditions
and position location to a central
HUB station via UHF transponder
of INSAT for rescue operation. It
can be easily installed in boats
or other vehicles. In case of
emergency, user just needs to
switch on the DAT unit. User is
required to select a message
(eg: fire in boat / boat sinking /
medical help / other emergency)
by pressing the corresponding
switch provided in the system. Distress Alert Transmitter

The DAT combines the message with position of the boat obtained through GPS,
and transmits the same to a central HUB station. The DAT will repeat the message
every minute for first five minutes and then every five minutes till it is switched off
manually or until the battery life gets over.

177
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

salient featUres
• Low cost and therefore affordable to fishing community
• In-built GPS to give position and time information
• Transmits emergency signal on manual activation
• Test transmission facility
• Continuous transmission on activation for 24 hrs at 5 minutes intervals
• Omni directional antenna suitable for fishing fleet
• Available with bracket suitable for pole/canopy mounting
• Receives time of activation, type of emergency, vessel ID and position along
with audio alarm at Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) of Indian
Coast Guard
• Light weight & floatable

appliCation(s)
• Intended for emergency message communication transmission for all type of
sea going vessels
• Satellite based disaster management

178
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
NARL

CLOUD AND AEROSOL

LIDAR (CAL)
Indian Space Research Organization at its National Atmospheric Research
Laboratory (NARL) has developed a cloud and aerosol LIDAR technology for
atmospheric measurements. The LIDAR technology enables atmospheric profiling
at high spatial and temporal resolution continuously during day and night. The
built in LIDAR software provides real time range information on cloud and aerosol
layers in the atmosphere.

system desCription
The Cloud and Aerosol LIDAR
(CAL) employs a laser source,
a telescope, detector unit
with receiver optics and data
acquisition unit controlled by
laptop/computer. The system is
housed in two compartments.
The steerable compartment
contains transmitter and receiver
optics. Data acquisition unit
is positioned in non movable
compartment controlled by
laptop/computer through Ethernet link.

system speCifiCation
Transmitter Pulsed laser, 20 Hz, 15 mJ per pulse
Wavelength 1064 nm
Receiver 150 mm telescope optics
Detector Avalanche photodiode
Data acquisition Single channel type, analog mode of signal
acquisition through software control
Mode of operation Slant path direction (vertical optional)

179
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
NARL

salient featUres
• Continuous day and night operation without pause
• 20 km daytime range during clear sky conditions
• 35 km night time range during clear sky conditions
• Single wavelength operation using Avalanche Photodiode
• Data acquisition in analog mode
• Enables receiver data collection in 7.5 m, 15 m, 30 m, 60 m, 120 m, 240 m
and 480 m range bin settings. The LIDAR can be operated at one second time
sampling mode for high resolution atmospheric measurements in the above
bin settings.
• LIDAR operational software provides real time range information of
atmospheric targets. Data presentation in RTI maps.
• LIDAR operation in slant path direction.
• Operation in clear sky, convective, cloudy and rain periods in slant mode.

appliCation(s)
• Continuous monitoring of clouds in atmosphere
• Convective boundary layer growth
• Wind drifted aerosol structures
• Slant range visibility measurement for aircraft landing operations

180
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note

software

181
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

Phantom Connectivity
Internet connectivity for any organisation is inevitable for vital applications
like email, surfing, downloading content and application/patches. Although
organisations implement high level security at perimeter, server and desktop levels
like Firewall, IDS/IPS, Antivirus etc., it is highly prone to attacks from malicious
users both within and outside. As a result, large number of organisations dealing
with confidential data refrains from connecting to internet.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Space Applications Centre (SAC)
has developed and patented “Phantom Network Toggling Technique”. The system
comprises of an organisational network (intranet), third party network (internet),
a phantom server with intermediate data storage and a toggling mechanism to
isolate the organisational network from third party network. It permits secured
data communication between organisational network and third party network
without connecting to them.

salient featUres
• Providing extremely high security to organizational network against external
and internal threats
• Complimentary to existing IT applications
• Easy, low cost, highly reliable, automatic and high speed
• Script based network toggle through parallel/USB/Ethernet interfaces

appliCation(s)
• Users can send and receive emails to/from external world without connecting
organizational network with internet directly
• Providing thin client based surfing facility with the feature of copying users
download data from internet to intranet without connecting them

183
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

Satellite Photogrammetry
Software SAPHIRE C
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has developed Satellite
Photogrammerty Software for Indian Remote Sensing Missions – Cartosat-1
(SAPHIRE-C) which can process Cartosat-1 satellite stereo data products to
generate Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and Orthoimage for the user interest area.
SAPHIRE-C is available on Linux & Window platform.

The software accepts the Cartosat-1 stereo-

pair products and Ground Control Points
(GCP) as inputs. It allows user interaction
for choosing the optimum model errors and
generates DEM and Orthoimage as output.
The software has been tested on a variety of
regions from plain to highly hilly terrain and is
utilized in various remote sensing application
projects.
User Area Selection

salient featUres
• Graphical User Interface for User
Interaction.
• Processes Cartosat-1 stereo-pair products
• Generates DEM and respective
Orthoimage
• Model uses the sensor geometry thus
improving the end product accuracies
GCP Identification
• Supports SOI Map-index grid for user
geographical area selection
• DEM provided in ASCII formats
• Orthoimage generated in GeoTiff format
• Report generation on processing parameters
• Database support for archiving processing history

184
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

• Handles multiple stereo-pair product processing

• Output Product evaluation, Supports WGS84 and Everest Datum
• Supports UTM and Polyconic Map Projections
• Archival of GCP ground coordinates with image chips in database is possible.
• Provision for DEM Visualisation in vector and raster form.
• DEM editing in vector form.

appliCation(s)
• SAPHIRE-C is used for generation of
DEM and Orthoimage of user defined
area in varying scales and resolution
using Ground Control Points. The DEM
thus generated gives precise three
dimensional ground coordinates which
include the terrain height for specific
points in the given area. The DEM can Model Setup
be used in applications like extraction
of drainage patterns, contour line
generation, terrain visualisation and
generating Orthoimage. The Orthoimage
can be used for topographic mapping
applications. This also gives a bird’s eye
view of the terrain undulation of the
given area to an appreciable accuracy.

Display of Conjugate Points

185
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
TT&IC

LDPCC code for GNSS

Application
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has developed a MATLAB and
C++ model of the Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) and LDPC Convolutional Code
(LDPCCC) for use in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) respectively.

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) are under planning / being implemented
by the US, Russia, Europe, China, Japan, India, Nigeria and many other countries
in the frequency bands 1559-1610 MHz
(L1 band), 1215-1300 MHz (L2 band) and LDPC Block Code Algorithm
1164-1215 MHz (L5 signal).The signal and BER v/s Eb/No for 35 iterations

data structure for each of these systems

is different. Data rates ranging from 25
bits/sec to 500 bits/sec and Forward Error
Correction (FEC) techniques from rate = ½, k
= 7 convolutional code to Low Density Parity
Check (LDPC)codes have been proposed for
various signals.

appliCation of ldpC / ldpCCC

• These models can be used for developing FPGA netlist or IP Core RTL product
for LDPC or LDPCCC as applicable to GNSS. For telecom and other applications
the software can be modified to suit a given application. FEC technology
using Advanced Coding Techniques is useful in deep space missions, fibre
communication, computer to computer communication links etc.
adVantages of ldpC BloCK Codes
• These are suited for implementations that make heavy use of parallelism.
Consequently, error-correcting codes with very long code lengths are feasible.
• The quasi-cyclic LDPC codes presented show a comparable decoding
performance to the randomly constructed LDPC codes with the advantage of a
significantly reduced encoding complexity.
• QC-LDPC codes have encoding advantage over conventional LDPC codes and
their encoding can be carried out by shift register with complexity linearly

186
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
TT&IC

proportional to the number of parity bits of the code.

• No tail bits are required for block coding providing additional bits for data
transmission.
adVantages of ldpCCC
• LDPCCC are simple to encode, since the original code construction method
yields to a shift register based systematic encoding.
• LDPC convolutional codes are suitable for transmission of continuous data
as well as block transmissions in frames of arbitrary size where LDPC can
transmit block of fixed length only.
• For a given complexity LDPC convolutional codes have better performance
than LDPC block codes.
• LDPCCC has excellent BER performance under AWGN.
• LDPCCC is extremely useful for large values of data bits N. However, they can
be used with good BER performance for shorter number of data symbols such
as in GNSS navigation data.
• LDPCCC architecture is more amenable to pipelining because of feed forward
architecture. Hence, it may achieve higher clock speeds and continuous
decoding.
• VLSI implementation of LDPCCC is based on replicating identical units called
processors. A complete decoder can be constructed by concatenating a
number of these processors together. The convolutional structure of the
Tanner graph aids VLSI implementation.
• For comparable BER performance, the size of an LDPCCC processor could be
an order of magnitude less than that for LDPC block code. Hence the routing
complexity within a processor is also an order of magnitude less than that for
a block code.

187
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
TT&IC

ldpC CC algorithm
AWGN performance of LDPCCC
• Use of LDPC Convolutional
Codes (LDPCCC) for navigational
data structure in a conventional
medium earth orbit or
geostationary orbit satellite
navigation system is yet to be
proposed. For finite block lengths,
a systematic comparison of these
codes is not proposed in the
literature so far.
• The LDPC and LDPCCC algorithms have been subjected to Failure Mode effect
analysis (FMEA) testing.

188
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SDSC

virtualisation of software
for expert display
Indian Space Research Organisation at its Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-
SHAR) has developed a novel PLC based display system, which will find wide
industrial application.

prinCiple of operation
The parameters from PLCs are
received through network and
processed in the server. The
output (processed packets) is
received by the Native Software
and the communication is made
to host software through virtual
network adapter (VNA). The Native
operating system which is normally
Microsoft Windows is configured
with a fixed IP address, which is a
registered IP for communication
in the server. The Host software (SCADA software) is configured to directly
receive the packets for analysis. The analyzed information will be displayed on
screen as one directional communication, as per protocol of safety. Further the
performance tuning activity is carried out and the update/refresh time is reached
in few milliseconds.

adVantages/appliCation(s)
• Already a proven way to overcome the legacy systems, limitation of
proprietary industrial PCs can be discarded by using this configuration and
the same work can be performed by normal systems.
• These activates can be recorded in compressed video format compatible to
any standard media player for playback.
• Safety critical systems where few milliseconds refresh rate is required

189
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SDSC

CENTRALISED DATA
MONITORING SYSTEM
Indian Space Research Organisation at its Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-
SHAR) has developed a technological concept, for interfacing and integrating
number of individual Data Acquisition System data, to present summarised,
concise and quick look parameter information, to Maintenance Team and Chief
Executives during live Propellant Processing Programmes.

salient featUres
Integration of digital systems with suitable interfaces and networking, facilitates
development of centralised data screens, with proper GUI packages and
presentation of summarised process data display.

appliCation(s)
• This concept will be beneficial for Industries, with well spread out facilities,
for instant monitoring.
• Tool for Process, Maintenance and Management Personnel.

190
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SDSC

191
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

e-S M A R T
e-System for Mechanical
Workflow-management And Reporting Tool
e-SMART is an online software tool to automate and provide seamless end-to-end
workflow management from designer to delivery…

192
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

Feature Benefits
All departments like Designers,
Planning Engineers, Workshop
Engineers, Cutting-Store Personnel,
End-to-end workflow management
Inspection Engineers and
Management Personnel work on
same platform.
Simple and intuitive interface. Easy to train manpower
Saves on infrastructure costs.
Web based Scalable architecture
Remote facilities can be connected
User-level Authorization and
Responsibility and accountability
authentication
Provision for Data-warehousing and
Data protection
automated daily-backup
3D Visualization of fabrication parts No commercial/paid CAD/CAM
in web browser. software required
Thumbnails (small images) of
fabrication parts facilitate in quick Increases productivity
visualization and identification.
More than 60 online reports can be
Critical Information for decision-
generated and exported in multiple
making can be obtained
formats like .rpt, .xls, .doc, .xml
Complete history of a part can be
Back traceability of a part
obtained
Saves on cost and delays due to
Paperless operations
movement of papers

• ALL mechanical fabrication workflow activities of SAC are managed by

e-SMART system .
• e-SMART is in use and operations in SAC for more than 7 years.
• Thus, it makes e-smart time tested and proven software.

193
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
NRSC

A Message Driven System for

Business Process Workflow
Automation
Indian Space Research Organization at its National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC)
has developed and implemented software for automating the Business Process
Workflows. The processes involved in the assembly line are seamlessly combined
into a workflow through an asynchronous network message driven invocation
calls. Prominent features include an indigenously developed job prioritization
algorithm and a resource driven workload distribution methodology. The software
is currently operational for automating the remote sensing data product generation
workflows. However, it can be customized for meeting the requirement of other
users. Indian Space Research Organization at its National Remote Sensing Centre
(NRSC) has developed and implemented software for automating the Business
Process Workflows. The processes involved in the assembly line are seamlessly
combined into a workflow through an asynchronous network message driven
invocation calls. Prominent features include an indigenously developed job
prioritization algorithm and a resource driven workload distribution methodology.
The software is currently operational for automating the remote sensing data
product generation workflows. However, it can be customized for meeting the
requirement of other users.

salient featUres
• Developed using Java and can be deployed on any high end computing
platform
• Supports different file formats as inputs to the system
• Mechanism to store the business rules into a knowledge base
• Asynchronous message driven interfaces between the processes involved in
the workflow
• Automatic job prioritization to reduce the overall turnaround time
• Efficient Job distribution methodology taking into account the available
computational nodes
• Improved throughputs from systems due to efficient job loading methodology

194
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
NRSC

• Workflow history maintenance and tracking of orders

• Operator interfaces in case of emergencies
• In process monitoring and analytics
• Predictable timelines for delivery of products

appliCation(s)
• Business process automation
• In process monitoring, visualization and analytics

potential Users
• State and Central Government organizations involved in providing services to
citizens
• Private organizations carrying out business in publishing, health care, logistics
and other services involving workflows
• Manufacturing companies required to carry out complex processes to
accomplish a product

195
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
VSSC

FEAST
Indian Space Research
Organisation at its Vikram
Sarabhai Space Centre has
continually developed
the indigenous structural
analysis software FEAST
SMT, which is based on finite
element method.

Many problems pertaining

to solid and fluid mechanics
domain that find applications
in aerospace, civil and mechanical engineering are solved numerically. The solutions
of large order problems are possible due to availability of digital computers.
Finite element method is a popular numerical method, which has found wide
range of applications to solve real-life problems, especially in solid and structural
mechanics. The software utilizes Substructure and Multithreading (SMT) concepts
for high performance. FEAST SMT is supported by PreWin, a graphical user interface
(GUI) based pre/ post processor. PreWin provides state-of-the-art capabilities for
modeling and visualization. This software can work on UNIX, LINUX and Windows
operating systems. PreWin and FEAST SMT are available as an integral software for
the users.

The software is available in modular form for academic and commercial usage.
The Basic Module consists of: Linear static, Free-vibration and Buckling analysis.
Advanced modules are: Transient, Frequency, Random, Fluid-Structure Interaction,
and Base Excitation. Advanced modules can be bundled with basic modules as
per user requirement. These capabilities are supported by a rich element library
comprising beam, shell, solid, axisymmetric, spring, rigid-links, gap etc. and
material models viz., isotropic, orthotropic, incompressible and layered orthotropic.
The software is updated regularly by considering user feedbacks and capability
augmentation. A downloadable demo version along with tutorials is available at
http://feast.vssc.gov.in

196
Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

MIL-STD-1553 Remote
Terminal IP
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at its Space Applications Centre (SAC)
has developed a MIL-STD-1553 Remote Terminal IP. MIL-STD-1553 bus is a robust
control communications bus being used in aerospace applications. A large number
of Remote Terminals (RTs) can communicate with a Bus Controlling Unit (BCU) as
well as among themselves under the control of the BCU.

In today’s digital world, almost all systems contain high density logic devices like
FPGAs, abundant in logic resources, where the remote terminal functionality can
eminently be integrated. This eliminates the use of an external protocol IC on the
PCB with attendant advantages.

The MIL-STD-1553 Remote Terminal Intellectual Property Core implements a full

functionality Remote Terminal portable into an FPGA device. Implementation of
the IP is free from any vendor specific logic that gives it an added benefit of being
used with any FPGA or ASIC devices.

resoUrCes
Utilization for Xilinx Virtex-5 FX130T Device:
4098 Slices out of total 81920 slices- 5%

salient featUres
• Validated as per RT Validation Test Plan MIL-STD-HDBK, Nov 1988
• Operates on 12 MHz clock
• Supports dual redundant MIL-STD-1553B bus
• Generic architecture portable on any FPGA or ASIC devices
• 16-bit external memory interface
• 16-bit register interface to in-house register bank
• Word size BIT word register for debugging
• Bus waveform conditioning
• Supports Single buffer and circular buffer memory management modes

197
 Advanced Technologies from ISRO Interest exploration note
SAC

• DDC Mini ACE compatible look up table based memory management

• Internally resets the core on reception of a new command
• 800 us Fail Safe timer to recover from the babbling transmitter condition
• Separate Manchester decoder, command decoder and message validator chain
for both the channels.

rt arChiteCtUral featUres
• Supports MIL-STD-1553 B Notice 2
• Complete RT Functionality implemented in a Modular Architecture
• External Memory and host processor Interface
• Register access through Host Processor
• RT Status Word Control Bits: Subsystem Flag, Terminal Flag, Service Request Bit
• RT Vector Word Programmability through Host Processor/ Subsystem
• Supports all the 10 Message Formats of MIL-STD-1553 protocol
• Capable of handling Superseding Commands on both the channels
• Separate Receiver chain for handling messages on both the channels

aUtonomoUs BUilt-in self test CapaBility

• BIT Word Generated For Every Message Processed
• Message Validity Check
• Fail Safe Capability
• RT-RT Transmitter Timeout Period: 55.5 us
• Interrupt Generation on Error Conditions For Every Message Processed
• High/Low Word Count Error, Parity Error, Biphase Error, Incorrect Sync, RT-RT No
Response Timeout Error, etc. conditions registered on every message processed
• Message Length Error Detection
host and memory interfaCe ConfigUrations
• 16-bit External DPRAM Interface
• 16-bit register interface to internal register bank, 5-bit Register Addressing

appliCation areas
• All aerospace systems using MIL-STD-1553B and subsystems with FPGAs
• Space/ Rad Hard Applications

198
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER FROM ISRO
ISRO is willing to offer the know-how of the technologies to entrepreneurs/industries
in India. Capable industries interested in acquiring the know-how may write with
details of their present activities, requirements and plans for implementation,
infrastructure, technical expertise, own market assessment, if any, and plans for
diversification to the relevant address given below.

For further details, please contact

Director (Technology & Services)

Technology Transfer &
Industry Cooperation (TT&IC)
ISRO Headquarters
Antariksh Bhavan, New BEL Road
Bangalore-560 094
Ph:080-2217 8332/2217 8325
Fax: 80-2217 8339
email: [email protected]
Deputy Head
Technology Transfer and Industrial
Coordination Division
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), ISRO
Thiruvananthapuram-695 022
Ph:0471-256 4081/256 5133
Fax: 0471-2564134
email: [email protected]

Group Director
Program Planning and Evaluation
Group (PPEG)
Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre
(LPSC),ISRO
Valiamala
Thiruvananthapuram-695 547
Ph:0471-256 7565
Fax: 0471-256 7280 Director
email: [email protected] National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), ISRO
Balanagar, Hyderabad-500 625
Ph:040- 2387 9572-76
Fax: 040-2387 8648

199
Group Director
Program Planning and Evaluation
Group (PPEG)
ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), ISRO
PB No. 1795, Vimanapura PO
Old Airport Road,
Bangalore-560 017
Ph:080-2508 2140
Fax:080-2520 5261
email: [email protected] Head
Technology Transfer and Industry
Interface Division
Planning and Projects Group
Space Applications Centre (SAC), ISRO
Ambawadi Vistar PO
Ahmedabad-380 015
Ph:079-2691 3322
Fax: 079-2691 5817
Group Director email: [email protected]
Management System Area
Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR), ISRO
Sriharikota-524 124, Nellore District
Ph: 08623-226100/6104
Fax: 08623225540/5576
email: [email protected]

Director
National Atmospheric Research
Laboratory (NARL)
Gadanki, Pakala Mandal
Chittoor District-517 502
Ph:08585-272 001
Fax:08585- 272 021/018
email: [email protected]

Dean (IPR&CE)
Indian Institute of Space Science
and Technology (IIST)
Valiamala PO
Thiruvananthapuram-695 547
Ph: 0471-256 8419/8416
email: [email protected]