Single event effects in commercial memory devices in the space radiation environment

'Mis Thesis presents an investigation into the suitability of advanced commercial MOS memory devices for the more cost-efficient construction of solid-state data recorders, for Earthorbiting satellites. It concentrates upon the effects of single-event phenomena which are caused in such memories by the natural ionisirig radiation environment of near-Earth space. My work centres around an analysis of radiation effects in a range of commercial N10S memory devices operating as part of the data handling systems in a series of low-Earth orbiting nucrosatellites. "Me iorusing particle environment inside two of the satellites has been investigated using the Cosn'Uc-Ray Experiments (CREs), which I have designed and developed as part of this research. I have also operated and analysed results from the Cosrnic-Ray Environment and Dosimetry (CREDO) payload on-board UoSAT-3, which gathers sin'Ular data. Through these instruments, and a program of ground-based testing, I have verified computer models of the radiation environment and SEE-rate prediction, and I have been able to charactense device behaviour with respect to single-event effects due to galactic cosmic-rays, trapped particle populations and solar particle events, leading to thefirst comprehensive set of environmental and effects data on commercial memories operating in space. As of September 1994,1 have analysed some 175,500 radiation-induced events in 733 commercial memory devices comprising 17 different types, from 10 manufacturers. Simultaneously With this, some 820,000 measurements of the space radiation environment have been taken in over 112,000 hours of operation of the C RE and CREDO instruments. vices are suitable for the I'lie principal conclusion is that commercial MOS memory de i construction of spacecraft SSDRs for many Earth-orbItIng missions provided that resilient error-detection and correction coding schemes are used to protect the data they contain, and providing they are adequately shielded against total iorusing radiation dose. Advice is given on such schemes.

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