Synthetical analysis on space radiation tolerance techniques in ASICs and FPGAs

The space radiation environment introduces multiple kinds of faults on devices used for space application. Advantages and shortages of ASIC and FPGA are compared based on different radiation effects. Most advanced and classical techniques for radiation tolerance adopted on both ASICs and FPGAs are discussed, including Triple Modular Redundancy (TMR), Hardened Memory Cells, Error Detection and Correction code (EDAC), etc. Fault detection, reconfiguration, and scrubbing based on SRAM-FPGAs are summarized as well. One self-developed space-level processor was demonstrated. Current status of radiation tolerance technology is analyzed, and tough challenges waited to be settled are raised. © 2011 IEEE.