This project addressed concerns about the effects of atmospheric radiation on avionics systems that fly at increased exposure to atmospheric radiation.
It also evaluated the effects of atmospheric and other radiation on modern semiconductor devices and developed guidelines to deal with those effects in avionics system design, operation, support and maintenance.
As the potential detrimental effects of radiation on avionics systems became better known, the project developed into a multiyear effort with expanded activities.
- Quantify Single Event Effects (SEE) contributions from thermal and high energy neutrons.
- Support the IEC TC-107 effort to develop an international standard addressing SEE on avionics.
- Evaluate SEE latch-up susceptibility in devices in which the errors may be propagated, e.g. microprocessors and FPGAs.
- Assess how SEE is likely to impact future microelectronics and how future trends in the technology will impact SEE sensitivity.
- Evaluate options for error correcting codes.
- Develop candidate options for system hardware and software design approaches.
- Document results in a guideline to mitigate radiation effects.
