4 ms·
The register file and cache is typically protected with some kind of ECC. The other parts of the CPU are protected by using rad hard flip flops (be it either TM
by kristoffer 13y ago
The register file and cache is typically protected with some kind of ECC. The other parts of the CPU are protected by using rad hard flip flops (be it either TMR or other means).
But this is the road SpaceX is not taking ...
And all these techniques only protect against soft errors. I was more interested in how to mitigate against permanent errors (latchup) and tolerating high total dose when using commercial components. Will they do this by screening components which are manufactured using potential good fabrication process e.g. SOI.
- XorNot 13y agoIt seems like if they can on average use smaller parts and more of them, then it just comes down to statistics - permanent chip damage isn't impossible in rad-hard electronics, just less likely. I suspect it'll come down to a test though - at some SpaceX are going to launch an unmanned Dragon to Mars, and that will be more then anything a fascinating exercise in really understanding the deep space radiation environment, which we still do not know nearly enough about.