ADC Register Error Detection for Radiation-Induced Signal Distortion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiation-resistant analog-digital conversion circuits in high-radiation environments face challenges in detecting and correcting signal distortions, such as single event transients (SETs) and single event upsets (SEUs), which affect accuracy and reliability due to increased area and decreased performance, and are vulnerable to ionizing radiation.
Innovation Solution
A flip-flop and analog-digital converter design that includes dedicated detection units for digital and analog single event transients and SEUs, utilizing transistors and capacitors to detect signal distortions and regenerate digital signals through a roll-back system, enhancing radiation resistance without increasing circuit area or reducing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundancy techniques (TMR, double signal transmission paths) are used to improve radiation resistance, then reliability is improved, but device area increases and circuit performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the flip-flop circuit into functionally independent units: a main flip-flop for normal operation and a separate detection unit for radiation error detection. This segmentation allows the detection functionality to be added without duplicating the entire flip-flop structure, thereby reducing area overhead compared to full redundancy approaches while maintaining radiation resistance.
2Reliability
If redundancy techniques (TMR, double signal transmission paths) are used to improve radiation resistance, then reliability is improved, but circuit speed decreases due to increased parasitic capacitors and resistors
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the circuit into a main flip-flop and a separate detection unit, the critical path of the main flip-flop is not extended by the detection logic. The detection unit operates independently and does not introduce additional parasitic elements into the main signal path, thereby preserving circuit speed while providing radiation error detection capability.
3Productivity
If device size is reduced to improve speed and performance, then productivity is improved, but vulnerability to ionizing radiation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit acts as an intermediary that monitors the output of the main flip-flop for radiation-induced errors. This intermediary detection mechanism allows the use of smaller, faster devices in the main flip-flop while the detection unit provides the necessary radiation hardness, effectively decoupling the performance optimization from radiation vulnerability.
Data Source
AI summary
A register and an analog-digital converter capable of detecting signal distortion in high-radiation environments are provided. The register includes: a signal input terminal receiving a digital signal; and a digital single event transient (DSET) detection unit detecting whether information of the digital signal input through the signal input terminal is distorted, wherein the DSET detection unit includes a first output terminal through which a first detection signal is output, the first detection signal being used to determine whether at least one of rising edge timing information and falling edge timing information of the digital signal is distorted.