While at NRSA (now NRSC) I headed a small team of service (Army, Navy, Air-Force) officers to explore the possibility of using satellite Remote Sensing for strategic purposes. This resulted in a report prepared by me which motivated the Government of India to establish an independent unit called the Advanced Data Processing Research Institute under the Department of Space at Hyderabad in 1988 to cater to the strategic users. This unit has now established itself as the premier Institution to utilize ISRO’s and other satellite data effectively. The major milestones at ADRIN are:
- Development of the First workstation based IP system
- Use of Transputers in IP along with CDAC.
- Original theoretical work leading to orbit/attitude models which can function with minimum ground control points (which is the case with strategic data).
- Work on Automatic Target Recognition. A new Neural Network Model based on spin glass theory was developed to cater to similar looking targets. This resulted in a Ph. D Degree under my guidance.
- Development of GIS based Decision Support Tools for both strategic and civilian applications. A cross country traffic ability model, a landslide hazard zonation model for the Himalayas, a Farmer’s advisory called Vivasayi, a terrorist profiling module etc., were developed
As Director, ADRIN
I was heading ADRIN (Advanced Data Processing Research Institute) as Director from 2002 to 2008. This was an independent unit under Dept of Space. The major achievements during this period are as follows:
- A High performance Computer Facility was established.
- A Virtual Reality lab was established for the first time in the country for Remote sensing purposes.
- Earth stations for strategic users was set up by ADRIN
- Starting with the launch of TES and Cartosat 2A satellites ADRIN was declared as the nodal agency for strategic users for interfacing with ISRO.