To advance intelligent satellites, a new Latchup-Detection-And-Protection (LDAP) Integrated Circuit (IC) is offered to enable the application of Commercially-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) ICs in satellites for the first time. State-of-the-art COTS ICs can latch up (Single Event Latchup) when a heavy particle strikes, resulting in permanent damage. The new LDAP offers a novel unprecedented means to protect state-of-the-art COTS. The technology solution is supported by a full set of Radiation-Hardened-By-Design (RHBD) digital library cells whose attributes include ultra-low error-rate and yet low area-, power-, and delay-overheads when compared to the state-of-the-art solutions. The RHBD library cells are space-grade, not only increasing the lifespan of the electronics in space environments, but also enabling unprecedented higher processing power (more intelligence) for electronics.
(A) Enabling advanced COTS
Protecting COTS from destructive radiation effects
Fast and intelligent detection and power cycling
Detection of micro-latchup
(B) Radiation-hardened Point-of-Load
Single inductor multiple output
Built-in redundancy
Optimized high power efficiency over all loading conditions
Built-in intelligent load protection from latchup
(C) Radiation-hardened System-on-Chip (SoC)
Ultra-low error rate under radiation effects
Low composite power-delay-area overheads
Compatible with existing SoC design tools and methodologies
Complete RHBD library cells