Flip Chip Capacitor Voltage Regulation for Radiation Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard CMOS integrated circuit devices have low radiation tolerance, leading to logical and storage errors due to radiation-induced voltage drops in aerospace environments, where high levels of radiation cause undesired voltage changes and signal transients.
Innovation Solution
A flip chip with multiple capacitors is placed on top of a substrate with electronic devices, connecting their terminals to power rails to regulate voltages during radiation pulses, reducing impedance and mitigating photo-current effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard CMOS IC devices are used, then high noise immunity and low power dissipation are achieved, but radiation tolerance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Capacitors are pre-positioned close to the circuit nodes before radiation exposure occurs. These capacitors are charged during normal operation and automatically discharge to counteract the photo-current effect when radiation pulses occur, providing preemptive protection against voltage drops.
Solution Approach 2:
Capacitors are introduced as intermediary components between the power supply and the circuit nodes. These capacitors act as local energy reservoirs that mediate the voltage stabilization, isolating the circuit from the direct impact of radiation-induced photo-currents.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If power supply voltage is reduced with advance technologies, then power dissipation is reduced, but the effect of radiation pulse worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the electrical parameters at the circuit node level by introducing capacitive elements. This allows the system to operate at lower supply voltages for reduced power dissipation while the capacitors maintain adequate voltage levels during radiation events, effectively decoupling the power consumption from radiation tolerance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If device size and complexity increase, then functionality is improved, but the amount of photo-current increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the protection strategy by placing individual capacitors close to specific circuit nodes that are vulnerable to radiation effects. This localized approach allows complex devices to be protected at critical points without requiring system-wide redesign, enabling functionality expansion while managing radiation risks.
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 configuration effectively counters radiation-induced errors by directly addressing voltage regulation at the semiconductor level, enhancing radiation tolerance and reducing logical and storage errors in integrated circuits.
Implementation Method 1
A radiation pulse generates multiple electron-hole pairs in the semiconductor material through an ionization process. The electrons are swept toward, and collected at the positive circuit nodes, creating a negative pulse. In conjunction, the holes are collected in the ground terminal(s). Because an electronic circuit has inherent impedance, the above-mentioned 'photo-current' creates undesired voltage drops
Implementation Method 2
some of the effectiveness of this regulation is lost due to the impedance of the path between capacitors and semiconductor devices
Data Source
AI summary
A method for implementing a prompt dose mitigating capacitor is disclosed. Initially, a flip chip is provided with multiple capacitors. The flip chip is then placed on top of a substrate having multiple electronic devices connected to a set of power rails. The terminals of the capacitors within the flip chip are subsequently connected to the power rails within the substrate in order to regulate voltages appeared on the power rails during a radiation pulse.