4 ms·
I'm not sure what you mean. ESD is a big deal with sensors, namely optical FPAs and ADCs for radios. Their voltage tolerance is well established and the ESD g
by edrxty 5y ago
I'm not sure what you mean. ESD is a big deal with sensors, namely optical FPAs and ADCs for radios. Their voltage tolerance is well established and the ESD generated by humans is easily measured.
It's not that this stuff isn't necessary or we don't understand it so we overreact, it's a calculated risk decision that's currently changing with cheaper launch costs. Satellites are starting to get smaller as the components are being miniaturized much like most tech and launch costs are falling. Small-sats are frequently built in much less strict clean environments and instead of massive controlled transporters, are shipped in crates by Fedex. It just depends on the reliability profile of the mission and the type of instruments in use.
- breput 5y agoESD is a huge deal with passive component too, and honestly even with components that you never thought could fail in the past like resistors, lately. Obviously an instrument that is never going to be serviceable deserves the best components and handling, but they will fail eventually and you either have a redundant circuit or another fallback.
- breput 5y agoI guess my only point was that I've seen both approaches - you either over-spec the components and when it doesn't fail like you think the spec was the secret, or you design for unreliable parts and when they don't fail as expected, you look like a genius.
- Cadwhisker 5y agoIn addition to the above, the effects of ESD are cumulative. You may think you're getting away with not following correct ESD procedures until one day something stops working and you're left wondering why, because nothing you did has changed.