Single Event-Induced Instability in Linear Voltage Regulators

SET-induced oscillations were measured on a stable linear-regulator that uses the LM124 op-amp in its regulation block. Simulations showed that single events act as stimuli that initiate a large-signal oscillation in the LM124 differential amplifier and compensation capacitor path. Laser testing validated the analysis and confirmed that transistors connected to the compensation capacitor are the most vulnerable