CMOS Storage Resistor Phase Transition for Radiation Tolerance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radiation tolerant integrated circuits suffer from performance penalties due to design features that make them slow, as the methods used to protect against soft-errors caused by ionizing radiation also degrade circuit performance.
Innovation Solution
A circuit with a charge storage node connected to a resistor made of material that can reversibly change between amorphous and crystalline states, with heat application controlling resistance, allowing the circuit to switch between high and low resistance states based on radiation detection to balance radiation tolerance and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional radiation tolerant design features are used, then radiation tolerance is improved, but circuit performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the resistance value changeable over time through phase transitions. The resistor material transitions between crystalline (low resistance) and amorphous (high resistance) states dynamically in response to radiation detection, allowing the circuit to adapt its performance characteristics rather than being fixed in a static state
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the resistor material between crystalline and amorphous phases. This parameter change directly controls the resistance value, enabling the circuit to switch between performance modes - high performance (crystalline) and radiation tolerant (amorphous) - by modifying the material's physical state
2Reliability
If resistance is increased to improve radiation tolerance, then radiation tolerance is improved, but circuit speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by repeatedly transitioning the resistor between crystalline and amorphous states based on radiation detection. The system monitors for radiation events and periodically switches the resistance state - maintaining high resistance (amorphous) during radiation events for tolerance, then switching to low resistance (crystalline) for speed when radiation is absent
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach minimizes circuit performance degradation while maintaining radiation tolerance by adjusting resistance dynamically in response to radiation events, allowing the circuit to operate faster when radiation is low and more tolerant when it is high.
Implementation Method 1
the material reversibly convertible between the amorphous state and the crystalline state by application of heat
Implementation Method 2
means for applying sufficient heat to the resistor to (i) change the amorphous state of the resistor to the crystalline state and to (ii) change the crystalline state of the resistor to the amorphous state
Data Source
AI summary
A radiation tolerant circuit, structure of the circuit and method of autonomic radiation event device protection. The circuit includes a charge storage node connected to a resistor, the resistor comprising a material having an amorphous state and a crystalline state, the amorphous state having a higher resistance than the crystalline state, the material reversibly convertible between the amorphous state and the crystalline state by application of heat; an optional resistive heating element proximate to the resistor; and means for writing data to the charge storage node and means for reading data from the charge storage node.