FPGA SEU Detection for Particle Time-of-Flight Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for specifying the energy of particles causing soft errors, especially neutrons, face challenges in measuring continuous SEU cross sections due to intermittent energy generation and difficulties in detecting high-energy particle time-of-flight using error-detecting codes.

Innovation Solution

A nuclear reaction detection device employing an FPGA with a user circuit configured to output abnormal values upon SEU occurrence, enabling high-speed detection of SEUs and utilizing the time-of-flight method to specify particle energy and measure SEU cross sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a conventional monochromatic source is used to specify particle energy, then the energy of particles can be specified, but only intermittent energy is generated making it difficult to measure continuous SEU cross section

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle energy specificationVSAvoidcontinuous SEU cross section measurement capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameter from intermittent monochromatic energy detection to continuous energy spectrum detection by using a semiconductor detector that measures the energy spectrum of incident particles directly, enabling continuous SEU cross section measurement across a range of energies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If error-detecting codes are used to detect SEU, then SEU detection is possible, but the detection time is too long (microseconds to milliseconds) to measure time-of-flight of high-energy particles

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSEU detection capabilityVSAvoiddetection speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the software-based error-detecting code method with a hardware-based semiconductor detector that directly detects particle energy deposition, achieving nanosecond-level detection speed suitable for time-of-flight measurements of high-energy particles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables high-speed detection and accurate measurement of SEU occurrence times and energy, allowing for precise determination of SEU cross sections for continuous particle energies.

Implementation Method 1

an SEU (Single Event Upset) occurs in a semiconductor element included in the FPGA... charge generated by the nuclear reaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNuclear reaction: Nuclear Fission

Implementation Method 2

The time-of-flight method is a method in which the velocity of a particle is calculated by measuring the time required for flight of a certain distance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentUS12158552B2Nuclear reaction detection device, method and program

Publication Date: 2024.12.03 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP

AI summary

A nuclear reaction detection device includes an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) 100 which is arranged in an environment in which particle radiation is incident, and includes a user circuit 101 configured to output a value different from that in a normal state, if an SEU (Single Event Upset) occurs in a semiconductor element included in the FPGA, and an SEF detection unit 210 which detects that an abnormal operation (SEF) has occurred in the user circuit based on the output value from the user circuit 101 of the FPGA 100.