Assessing the impact of the space radiation environment on parametric degradation and single-event transients in optocouplers

Abstract

Assessing the risk of using optocouplers in satellite applications offers challenges that incorporate those of commercial off-the-shelf devices compounded by hybrid module construction techniques. We discuss approaches for estimating this risk. In the process, we benchmark our estimates for proton and heavy-ion induced single-event transient rate estimates with recent flight data from the Terra mission. For parametric degradation, we discuss a method for acquiring test data and mapping it into an estimation approach that captures all the important variables of circuit application, environment, damage energy dependence, complex response to total ionizing dose and displacement effects, temperature, and annealing.

System Health Awareness in Total-Ionizing Dose Environments

“…This robot was chosen as a test vehicle for modeling system radiation response because the robot design is open source, is inexpensive, almost every variable in the system is accessible for measurement, and irradiated parts can be replaced easily. The robot detects the position of a black line typically 2 to 3 cm wide [66]. In operation the line sensor faces the track.…”

“…When the phototransistor receives light from a reflective surface, the sensor output voltage is pulled towards 0 V. As the sensor receives less light, the output moves towards Vcc. The performance of optocouplers is expected to degrade with TID [66], specifically the light output of the LED will decrease and the gain of the phototransistor will decrease. …”

“….......... 86 35. Image of line sensor over a track [66]. In operation the line sensor faces the track.…”

Recent proton and Co60 radiation test data from a newly developed European optocoupler source for space application

“…The majority of the parts were grounded (GND) during irradiation, which is the worst-case condition as shown in previous works [4][5][6]. Biasing during irradiation has been applied to one third of the batch with: I f =3mA, V ce =5V.…”

“…Recent Proton and Co60 Radiation Test Data from a newly developed European Optocoupler source for space application M. Bregoli (1) , S. Hernandez (4) , C. Ress (1) , A. Collini (2) , F. Ficorella (2) , L. S. How (3) A. Costantino (4) , V. Ferlet-Cavrois (4) , M. Zahir (4) Emitter: LED Receiver: Phototransistor…”