Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Latchup”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 records

Latchup in CMOS devices from heavy ions

It is noted that complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) microcircuits are inherently latchup prone. The four-layer n-p-n-p structures formed from the parasitic pnp and npn transistors make up a silicon controlled rectifier. If properly biased, this rectifier may be triggered 'ON' by electrical transients, ionizing radiation, or a single heavy ion. This latchup phenomenon might lead to a loss of functionality or device burnout. Results are presented from tests on 19 different device types from six manufacturers which investigate their latchup sensitivity with argon and krypton beams. The parasitic npnp paths are identified in general, and a qualitative rationale is given for latchup susceptibility, along with a latchup cross section for each type of device. Also presented is the correlation between bit-flip sensitivity and latchup susceptibility.

Soliman, K.↗

An observation of proton-induced latchup

Proton-induced latchup in a CMOS microprocessor known to have a very low heavy-ion-induced latchup threshold LET was observed. The latchup cross section vs. proton energy for three different bias conditions is displayed. Average measures of latchup current within an 11-ms window following the onset of latchup are provided, as a function of bias and incident proton energy. These data can be interpreted in terms of the present understanding of SEE phenomena.

Nichols, Donald K.↗

Latchup in CMOS analog-to-digital converters

Heavy-ion latchup is investigated for analog-to-digital converters. Differences in cross section for various ions shows that charge is collected at depths beyond 50 um, causing the cross section to be underestimated unless long-range ions are used. Current distributions and thermal imaging were used to identify latchup-sensitive regions. Latchup in one of the circuittypes was catastrophic, even when the power was turned off within 10 ms of a latchup event.

latchup space radiation CMOS analog-to-digital con↗

Latchup in CMOS Integrated Circuits

Sensitivity to ion beams is studied. Latchup effect subject of paper presenting results of testing 19 types of complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) chips from six manufacturers. Report gives details of sensitivity of chips to latchup caused by argon and krypton ion beams. Identifies parasitic npnp paths and proides latchup cross section and qualitative explanation of latchup sensitivity for each chip type.

Soliman, K. A.↗

Relationship Between Latchup And Transistor Current Gain

Theoretical study takes new look at current-vs.-voltage behavior of silicon controlled rectifiers (SCR's), four-layer complementary metal oxide/semiconductor (CMOS) devices, and similar devices susceptible to latchup. For purposes of analysis, "latchup" denotes transition of such device from lower-current-conducting steady state to distinct higher-current-conducting steady state. Focuses upon conventional two-couple-transistor model of one-dimensional SCR. Although model gives oversimplified view of latchup in CMOS circuits, useful for qualitative predictions of electrical characteristics.

Edmonds, Larry D.↗

Single-Event Latchup Testing of the Micrel MIC4424 Dual Power MOSFET Driver

We conducted 47 exposures of four different MIC4424 devices and did not observe any SEL or high-current events. This included worst-case conditions with a LET of 81 MeV-sq cm/mg, applied voltage of 18.5 V, a case temperature greater than 120 C, and a final fluence of 1x10(exp 7)/sq cm. We also monitored both the outputs for the presence of SETs. While the period of the 1 MHz square wave was slightly altered in some cases, no pulses were added or deleted. 1. Purpose: The purpose of this testing is to characterize the BiCMOS/DMOS Micrel MIC4424 dual, non-inverting MOSFET driver for single-event latchup (SEL) susceptibility. These data will be used for flight lot evaluation purposes. 2. Devices Tested: The MIC4423/4424/4425 family are highly reliable BiCMOS/DMOS buffer/driver MOSFET drivers. They are higher output current versions of the MIC4426/4427/4428. They can survive up to 5V of noise spiking, of either polarity, on the ground pin. They can accept, without either damage or logic upset, up to half an amp of reverse current (either polarity) forced back into their outputs. Primarily intended for driving power MOSFETs, the MIC4423/4424/4425 drivers are suitable for driving other loads (capacitive, resistive, or inductive) which require low-impedance, high peak currents, and fast switching times. Heavily loaded clock lines, coaxial cables, or piezoelectric transducers are some examples. The only known limitation on loading is that total power dissipated in the driver must be kept within the maximum power dissipation limits of the package. Five (5) parts were provided for SEL testing. We prepared four parts for irradiation and reserved one piece as an un-irradiated control. More information about the devices can be found in Table 1. The parts were prepared for testing by removing the lid from the CDIP package to expose the target die. The parts were then soldered to small copper circuit adapter boards for easy handling. These parts are fabricated in a bulk BiCMOS/DMOS technology. Since we do not know the number of overlayers used in the fabrication processes, linear energy transfer calculations are determined based on the top-surface incident ion species and kinetic energy.

Power MOSFET↗

Latent damage in CMOS devices from single-event latchup

Latent damage effects from single-event latchup are studied, revealing a previously unconsidered reliability hazard for CMOS devices. Several device types were found to remain functional despite significant structural damage to their interconnects from SEL.

single-event↗

Simulation of cosmic-ray induced soft errors and latchup in integrated-circuit computer memories

Soft errors have been induced in solid-state static RAM's by iron nuclei from the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory (LBL) Bevalac, in experiments designed to prove the ability of iron-group cosmic rays to generate such errors. Subsequently, various delidded device types were tested in beams of argon and krypton ions from the LBL 88-inch Cyclotron, at energies near 2 MeV/nucleon. The latter tests showed that some devices are essentially immune to bit error while others are quite susceptible. Good agreement was obtained with model predictions in cases where the latter exist. Latchup, whose cause is attributed to individual heavy ions, was also observed in some device types.

Kolasinski, W. A.↗

Analysis of Single-Event Latchup Cross Section in 65 nm SRAMs

Single event latchup (SEL) in a 65 nm CMOS SRAM technology is observed and sensitivity is shown to be a strong function of lateral beam orientation, angle of incidence, and temperature. The significance of these results are discussed and the foundation for a predictive model of SEL is laid out for use with the MRED tool.

Hutson, J. M.↗

A 0.18 micrometer CMOS Thermopile Readout ASIC Immune to 50 MRAD Total Ionizing Dose (SI) and Single Event Latchup to 174MeV-cm(exp 2)/mg

Radiation hardened by design (RHBD) techniques allow commercial CMOS circuits to operate in high total ionizing dose and particle fluence environments. Our radiation hard multi-channel digitizer (MCD) ASIC (Figure 1) is a versatile analog system on a chip (SoC) fabricated in 180nm CMOS. It provides 18 chopper stabilized amplifier channels, a 16- bit sigma-delta analog-digital converter (SDADC) and an on-chip controller. The MCD was evaluated at Goddard Space Flight Center and Texas A&M University's radiation effects facilities and found to be immune to single event latchup (SEL) and total ionizing dose (TID) at 174 MeV-cm(exp 2)/mg and 50 Mrad (Si) respectively.

radiation hardened by design↗

Single-Event Latchup Measurements on COTS Electronic Devices for Use in ISS Payloads

This paper reports recent single-event latchup results for a variety of microelectronic devices that include an ADC, OpAmp, EEPROM, CPLD, PWM, transceiver, voltage regulator, digital signal processor, step-down converter, buck controller and supervisory circuits. The data were collected to evaluate these devices for possible use in NASA ISS payloads.

Irom, Farokh↗