Analog/Mixed-Signal CMOS Design for Radiation and Extreme Temperature Environments

Space and science instrumentation require electronics that can withstand harsh environments, such as extreme temperatures and ionizing radiation, under the constraints of limited power and mass. We apply new circuit design strategies to overcome harsh environments for mixed-signal building blocks, such as but not limited to data converters and phase-locked loops, where these blocks are an integral part of instrumentation systems. These circuit design strategies are proven in a commercially available CMOS foundry technology that is otherwise not specifically meant for harsh environment operation. The commercial availability combined with harsh environment operation enable cost-effective, highly integrated, and power- and mass-efficient system-on-chip solutions to instrumentation. We are actively working on the following projects. First, a radiation-hard, 8-channel, 15-bit dynamic range, 12-ENOB, 40-MSPS ADC has been fabricated for use in the CERN HL-LHC as part of their readout infrastructure. They require approximately 50k devices and reliable operation across 12 years in a radioactive environment. Currently we are supporting radiation characterization and quality assurance testing of the 50k devices. Second, a 11-bit, 11.5-MSPS ADC has been designed to be operational from -196 °C to +125 °C using forward adaptive body biasing. A prototype has been fabricated and is currently under extensive characterization. Third, to support timing generation using PLL’s, the behavior of voltage-controlled oscillators and phase-locked-loops are being studied down to 4 K.

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