H03K19/0033

Single Event Effect Mitigation with Smart-Redundancy
20230170038 · 2023-06-01 ·

Electronic devices and methods for single event effect mitigation are described. The device can include a processor, a memory cell, and an integrated particle sensor. The memory cell can comprise a substrate, a deep well coupled to the substrate, and a ground-coupled well coupled to the deep well. The integrated particle sensor can be coupled between the substrate and the deep well, and the ground-coupled well and the deep well. The integrated particle sensor can be operable to detect an ionizing particle generating the single event effect. The electronic device can be a field-programmable gate array.

The method can include detecting an ionizing particle generating a single event effect at a memory cell of the electronic device, switching from the memory cell to a redundant memory cell associated with the memory cell when the single event effect is detected, and reconfiguring the memory cell based on the redundant memory cell.

Mitigation of single event latchup

The disclosed IC includes a load circuit and a temperature sensor circuit. The temperature sensor circuit measures temperature of the IC and stores temperature data in a register. An SEL mitigation circuit monitors the IC for a temperature change indicative of an SEL. A temperature change greater than a threshold over a time interval is indicative of an SEL. The SEL mitigation circuit is configured to reduce voltage applied to the IC to a voltage level that clears an SEL in the IC in response to a temperature change exceeding the threshold and to increase voltage applied to the load circuit after the reduction in voltage.

Fault tolerant synchronizer

A synchronization circuit includes a first synchronizer, a second synchronizer, and selection circuitry. The first synchronizer is configured to synchronize a received signal to a clock signal. The second synchronizer is disposed in parallel with the first synchronizer and configured to synchronize the received signal to the clock signal. The selection circuitry is coupled to the first synchronizer and the second synchronizer. The selection circuitry is configured to provide an output value generated by the first synchronizer at an output terminal of the synchronization circuit based on the output value generated by the first synchronizer being the same as an output value generated by the second synchronizer.

Information processing apparatus capable of reducing amount of radiation noise and control method therefor
09825621 · 2017-11-21 · ·

An information processing apparatus which is capable of maintaining the amount of radiation noise from a semiconductor integrated circuit constant. A voltage value information storage unit holds information indicative of a voltage to be applied to the semiconductor integrated circuit. A sub CPU modulates a clock frequency of a clock to be supplied to the semiconductor integrated circuit with a modulation width determined based on the information held in the voltage value information storage unit and supplies the clock.

System and method for facilitating use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components in radiation-tolerant electronic systems
11205031 · 2021-12-21 ·

A method for selecting components in a radiation tolerant electronic system, comprising, determining ionizing radiation responses of COTS devices under various radiation conditions, selecting a subset of the COTS devices whose radiation responses satisfy threshold radiation levels, applying mathematical models of the COTS devices for post-irradiation conditions to determine radiation responses to ionizing radiation; implementing a radiation-tolerant architecture using COTS devices from the selected subset, the implemented circuit may be tested for robustness to ionizing radiation effects without repeated destructive tests of the hardware circuit by using the mathematical models for simulating response to the ionizing radiation, and implementing a multi-layer shielding to protect the implemented circuit under various radiation conditions.

Radiation-hardened break before make circuit

A break-before-make (BB4M) circuit topology is disclosed for use with a multiplexer that eliminates shoot-through current between analog inputs and also between an analog input and analog output. The BB4M circuit generates a pulse that disables an existing selected channel before enabling a newly selected channel or gate driver, and is suitable for use in high-radiation or outer space operating environments.

Circuit for low power, radiation hard logic cell
11374567 · 2022-06-28 ·

This invention comprises a new way to connect a control, CK, and data, D, signal into a basic cross-coupled INV pair, and into certain other basic sequential logic circuits, to control the writing in of a new data value, D, into the sequential logic circuit cell. The invention concerns logic circuit in complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology. It connects additional p-type and n-type MOSFET devices in a novel manner to accomplish the desired control functions.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORMING RADIATION HARDENED CIRCUITRY
20230275585 · 2023-08-31 ·

A semiconductor component includes a substrate including a plurality of source/drain implants in the form of rows and a charge storage structure disposed over the substrate. The charge storage structure includes at least three continuous layers including a first silicon oxide layer, a silicon nitride layer disposed on the first silicon oxide layer, and a second silicon oxide layer disposed on the silicon nitride layer. The semiconductor component further includes a plurality of gate structures in the form of columns disposed over the charge structure and extending perpendicular to the rows and further includes a radiation protection layer disposed over the charge storage structure and the plurality of gate structures. The radiation protection layer includes a radiation resistant material including boron having an isotope composition of at least 90% boron-11.

FAULT TOLERANT SYNCHRONIZER
20220137127 · 2022-05-05 ·

A synchronization circuit includes a first synchronizer, a second synchronizer, and selection circuitry. The first synchronizer is configured to synchronize a received signal to a clock signal. The second synchronizer is disposed in parallel with the first synchronizer and configured to synchronize the received signal to the clock signal. The selection circuitry is coupled to the first synchronizer and the second synchronizer. The selection circuitry is configured to provide an output value generated by the first synchronizer at an output terminal of the synchronization circuit based on the output value generated by the first synchronizer being the same as an output value generated by the second synchronizer.

Self-correcting modular-redundancy-memory device

The invention is directed to a self-correcting modular-redundancy-memory device, comprising three bistable-memory elements and a majority voter. The bistable-memory elements receive respective binary data signal, clock signal, and a feedback signal. Each of the bistable-memory elements is configured, in response to the clock signal assuming a first value, to provide a binary output signal with an output-signal value correlated to a data-signal value of the data signal, and in response to the clock signal assuming a second clock-signal value, to provide the output signal with the output-signal value indicative of a current feedback-signal value of the feedback signal. The majority voter receives the output signals each of the bistable-memory elements and is configured to provide the feedback signal with the feedback-signal value indicative of that output-signal value taken on by a majority of the currently received output signals.