Self-Scrubbing Logic for Radiation-Hardened Processing Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerospace and space-based electronic components are susceptible to radiation-induced errors due to lower voltage and smaller semiconductor dies, leading to single-event upsets and latchups, which current radiation-hardened designs and redundant systems struggle to mitigate effectively without increasing cost, area, and weight.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating self-scrubbing logic within processing devices, coupled with an external watchdog and memory, to detect and correct memory inconsistencies using error-checking algorithms and heartbeat signals, thereby reducing the need for additional components and enhancing reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radiation-hardened designs and redundant systems are used to mitigate radiation-induced errors, then reliability is improved, but cost, area, and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-scrubbing logic within the processing device that automatically detects and corrects memory inconsistencies caused by radiation without requiring external redundant systems. The device monitors its own memory integrity using error-checking algorithms and corrects single-event upsets autonomously, eliminating the need for additional weight-bearing redundant hardware while maintaining high reliability in radiation environments
2Reliability
If radiation-hardened designs and redundant systems are used to mitigate radiation-induced errors, then reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processing device incorporates built-in self-scrubbing capability that automatically detects and corrects radiation-induced memory errors using integrated error-checking algorithms. This self-correcting mechanism eliminates the need for expensive external redundant systems and complex error-checking hardware, significantly reducing system cost while maintaining high reliability in radiation-prone aerospace and space-based applications
3Reliability
If radiation-hardened designs and redundant systems are used to mitigate radiation-induced errors, then reliability is improved, but area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates self-scrubbing logic directly into the processing device's existing memory structure, allowing the device to autonomously detect and correct single-event upsets without requiring additional physical space for redundant memory arrays or external error-checking components. This in-place error correction capability maintains high reliability while minimizing the area occupied by radiation mitigation hardware
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a processing unit including a configuration memory and self-scrubber logic coupled to read the configuration memory to detect compromised data stored in the configuration memory. The apparatus also includes a watchdog unit external to the processing unit and coupled to the self-scrubber logic to detect a failure in the self-scrubber logic. The watchdog unit is coupled to the processing unit to selectively reset the processing unit in response to detecting the failure in the self-scrubber logic. The apparatus also includes an external memory external to the processing unit and coupled to send configuration data to the configuration memory in response to a data feed signal outputted by the self-scrubber logic.