Bias Compensation for Radiation-Vulnerable Electronic Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-radiation hardened electronic components experience performance degradation in radiation environments, limiting their use due to unavailability and high cost of radiation hardened components, and existing solutions are either expensive or have long lead times.
Innovation Solution
Applying a predetermined bias signal to non-radiation hardened components to determine performance changes and calculate a compensation factor, which is then applied to identical components in the system to restore desired signal outputs, effectively acting as a characterization dosimeter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radiation hardened components are used, then reliability in radiation environments is improved, but cost and lead time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the operating conditions of non-radiation hardened components through predetermined bias signals. By changing voltage, current, or frequency parameters dynamically, the system compensates for radiation-induced performance degradation without requiring expensive radiation-hardened components, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the output of non-radiation hardened components is continuously monitored, and compensation factors are dynamically adjusted based on observed performance changes. This feedback loop enables real-time correction of radiation effects, maintaining reliability while using cost-effective standard components.
2Ease of manufacture
If non-radiation hardened components are used, then cost and availability are improved, but performance degradation occurs in radiation environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment of operating parameters for non-radiation hardened components exposed to radiation. By continuously adapting bias signals based on real-time performance monitoring, the system maintains stable operation despite radiation-induced changes, enabling the use of inexpensive standard components in radiation environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as voltage, current, or frequency of non-radiation hardened components to compensate for radiation effects. This parameter adjustment allows standard components to maintain desired performance characteristics in radiation environments, achieving reliability without increased cost.
3Measurement precision
If radiation sensor and BIST controllers are integrated into IC circuitry, then radiation detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges radiation sensing functionality with existing IC circuitry by utilizing idle or previously unused circuit elements. By combining radiation detection with standard logic circuits, the system achieves radiation monitoring capability without adding separate dedicated sensor modules, thus reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements multi-functionality by designing circuit elements that serve dual purposes: performing their primary computational or logic functions while simultaneously acting as radiation sensors. This universal approach allows standard IC components to provide both operational functionality and radiation detection, eliminating the need for separate sensor circuits.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques to compensate non-radiation hardened components (128) for changes in performance that result from exposure to radiation. The techniques of this disclosure apply a predetermined bias signal to a representative non-radiation hardened component while a system is in use. The system determines whether there is a performance change in characteristics, such as voltage response, frequency response, gain, or other characteristics. The system may determine a compensation factor that may restore the desired signal output from the component (126). The system may compensate a second identical component (128) that is in use in the system with the compensation factor. The component (126) receiving the predetermined bias signal acts as a characterization dosimeter of the component in use in the system. A number of radiation vulnerable components may be characterized simultaneously with exact representative parts. The system may compensate identical component in use in the system with the appropriate compensation factor for each.