The objective of this activity is to radiation screen Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) and novel semiconductor technologies of interest to ESA, the European space industry and Small Sat applications and to define associated Radiation Hardness Assurance (RHA) processes related to irradiation characterisation of COTS components.

 

 

The increased interest in flying Small Sat missions and initiation of ESA projects to improve reliability of CubeSats has resulted in an increased utilisation of COTS EEE Components. Although, COTS components performance capabilities may outperform traditional space qualified components, there are limitations strongly complicating their use for space applications. Limitations concern lack of traceability, packaging constraints, radiation sensitivity and questions regarding board level and component level testing.

 

Besides radiation screening and characterisation work, this activity aims at understanding Radiation Hardness Assurance issues in such as (traceability issues, lot-to-lot variation of COTS components, annealing effects in bipolar based linear device and how to interpret annealing observations, and others). Irradiation characterisation shall be performed for Total Ionising Dose, Displacement Damage and Single Event Effects.

 

There are no limitations to type of active EEE components selected for this activity. However, the part selection list shall also contain state-of-the-art complex components of special interest to the Agency. Considering the difficulty of performing radiation characterisation of complex components, pertinent Radiation Hardness Assurance methods shall be investigated and proposed. In addition to traditional component level testing, board level testing shall also be performed and benefit/disadvantages with respect to component level testing identified.

The particular tasks in the frame of this activity:

 

• Screening of COTS EEE Components

• Radiation test preparation

• Execution of radiation test campaigns

• Implementation of the results in a database