SINGLE-EVENT EFFECT STUDY ON A DC/DC PWM USING MULTIPLE TESTING METHODOLOGIES

As the technology advances, the feature size of the modern integrated circuits (ICs) has decreased dramatically to nanometer amplitude. On one hand, the shrink brings benefits, such as high speed and low power consumption per transistor. On the other hand, it poses a threat to the reliable operation of the ICs by the increased radiation sensitivity, such as single event effects (SEEs). For example, in 2010, a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) BiCMOS DC/DC pulse width modulator (PWM) IC was observed to be sensitive to neutrons on terrestrial real-time applications, where negative 6-μs glitches were induced by the single event transient (SET) effects. As a result, a project was set up to comprehensively study the failure mechanisms with various test methodologies and to develop SET-tolerant circuits to mitigate the SET sensitivity. First, the pulsed laser technique is adopted to perform the investigation on the SET response of the DC/DC PWM chip. A Ti:Sapphire single photon absorption (SPA) laser with different wavelengths and repetition rates is used as an irradiation source in this study. The sensitive devices in the chip are found to be the bandgap voltage reference circuit thanks to the well-controlled location information of the pulsed laser. The result is verified by comparing with the previous alpha particle and neutron testing data as well as circuit simulation using EDA tools. The root cause for the sensitivity is also acquired by analyzing the circuit. The temperature is also varied to study the effect of the temperature-induced quiescent point shift on the SET sensitivity of the chip. The experimental results show that the quiescent point shifts have different impacts on SET sensitivities due to the different structures and positions of the circuitries. After that, heavy ions, protons, and the pulsed X-ray are used as irradiation sources to further study the SET response of the DC/DC chip. The heavy ion and pulsed laser data are correlated to each other. And the equivalent LETs for laser with wavelengths of 750 nm, 800 nm, 850 nm and 920 nm are acquired. This conclusion can be used to obtain the equivalent heavy ion cross section of any area in a chip by using the pulsed laser technique, which will facilitate the SET testing procedure dramatically. The proton and heavy ion data are also correlated to each other based on a rectangular parallel piped (RPP) model, which gives convenience in Soft Error Rate (SER) estimation. The potential application of pulsed X-ray technique in SET field is also investigated. It is capable of generating similar results with those of heavy ion and pulsed laser testing. Both the advantages and disadvantages of this technique are explained. This provides an alternative choice for the SET testing in the future. Finally, the bandgap voltage reference circuit in the DC/DC PWM is redesigned and fabricated in bulk CMOS 130nm technology and a SET hardened bandgap circuit is proposed and investigated. The CMOS substrate PNP transistor is much less sensitive to SETs than the BiCMOS NPN transistor according to the pulsed laser test results. The reason is analyzed to be the different fabrication processes of the two technologies. The laser test results also indicate that the SET hardened bandgap circuit can mitigate the SET amplitude dramatically, which is consistent with the SPICE simulation results. These researches provide more understandings on the design of SET hardened bandgap voltage reference circuit

Multi-kw dc power distribution system study program

The first phase of the Multi-kw dc Power Distribution Technology Program is reported and involves the test and evaluation of a technology breadboard in a specifically designed test facility according to design concepts developed in a previous study on space vehicle electrical power processing, distribution, and control. The static and dynamic performance, fault isolation, reliability, electromagnetic interference characterisitics, and operability factors of high distribution systems were studied in order to gain a technology base for the use of high voltage dc systems in future aerospace vehicles. Detailed technical descriptions are presented and include data for the following: (1) dynamic interactions due to operation of solid state and electromechanical switchgear; (2) multiplexed and computer controlled supervision and checkout methods; (3) pulse width modulator design; and (4) cable design factors

Re-configurable Mechatronic Platform

To meet the increasing need of the multi-disciplinary engineering education and to provide a re-configurable mechatronic experiment platform, the team seeks to plan, design, and validate a mechatronic platform that allows simple model re-assembling and re-configuration. This platform also employs the concept of modular and expandable design. It consists of re-configurable mechanical structures, diverse sensor applications, microcontroller and motor controller control system, and graphical user interfaces on PC terminal for multi-disciplinary learning experience

Investigation of high bandwith biodevices for transcutaneous wireless telemetry

PhD ThesisBIODEVICE implants for telemetry are increasingly applied today in various areas applications. There are many examples such as; telemedicine, biotelemetry, health care, treatments for chronic diseases, epilepsy and blindness, all of which are using a wireless infrastructure environment. They use microelectronics technology for diagnostics or monitoring signals such as Electroencephalography or Electromyography. Conceptually the biodevices are defined as one of these technologies combined with transcutaneous wireless implant telemetry (TWIT). A wireless inductive coupling link is a common way for transferring the RF power and data, to communicate between a reader and a battery-less implant. Demand for higher data rate for the acquisition data returned from the body is increasing, and requires an efficient modulator to achieve high transfer rate and low power consumption. In such applications, Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) modulation has advantages over other schemes, and double the symbol rate with respect to Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) over the same spectrum band. In contrast to analogue modulators for generating QPSK signals, where the circuit complexity and power dissipation are unsuitable for medical purposes, a digital approach has advantages. Eventually a simple design can be achieved by mixing the hardware and software to minimize size and power consumption for implantable telemetry applications. This work proposes a new approach to digital modulator techniques, applied to transcutaneous implantable telemetry applications; inherently increasing the data rate and simplifying the hardware design. A novel design for a QPSK VHDL modulator to convey a high data rate is demonstrated. Essentially, CPLD/FPGA technology is used to generate hardware from VHDL code, and implement the device which performs the modulation. This improves the data transmission rate between the reader and biodevice. This type of modulator provides digital synthesis and the flexibility to reconfigure and upgrade with the two most often languages used being VHDL and Verilog (IEEE Standard) being used as hardware structure description languages. The second objective of this thesis is to improve the wireless coupling power (WCP). An efficient power amplifier was developed and a new algorithm developed for auto-power control design at the reader unit, which monitors the implant device and keeps the device working within the safety regulation power limits (SAR). The proposed system design has also been modeled and simulated with MATLAB/Simulink to validate the modulator and examine the performance of the proposed modulator in relation to its specifications.Higher Education Ministry in Liby

Industrial and Technological Applications of Power Electronics Systems

The Special Issue "Industrial and Technological Applications of Power Electronics Systems" focuses on: - new strategies of control for electric machines, including sensorless control and fault diagnosis; - existing and emerging industrial applications of GaN and SiC-based converters; - modern methods for electromagnetic compatibility. The book covers topics such as control systems, fault diagnosis, converters, inverters, and electromagnetic interference in power electronics systems. The Special Issue includes 19 scientific papers by industry experts and worldwide professors in the area of electrical engineering

DESIGN OF SMART SENSORS FOR DETECTION OF PHYSICAL QUANTITIES

Microsystems and integrated smart sensors represent a flourishing business thanks to the manifold benefits of these devices with respect to their respective macroscopic counterparts. Miniaturization to micrometric scale is a turning point to obtain high sensitive and reliable devices with enhanced spatial and temporal resolution. Power consumption compatible with battery operated systems, and reduced cost per device are also pivotal for their success. All these characteristics make investigation on this filed very active nowadays. This thesis work is focused on two main themes: (i) design and development of a single chip smart flow-meter; (ii) design and development of readout interfaces for capacitive micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) based on capacitance to pulse width modulation conversion. High sensitivity integrated smart sensors for detecting very small flow rates of both gases and liquids aiming to fulfil emerging demands for this kind of devices in the industrial to environmental and medical applications. On the other hand, the prototyping of such sensor is a multidisciplinary activity involving the study of thermal and fluid dynamic phenomenon that have to be considered to obtain a correct design. Design, assisted by finite elements CAD tools, and fabrication of the sensing structures using features of a standard CMOS process is discussed in the first chapter. The packaging of fluidic sensors issue is also illustrated as it has a great importance on the overall sensor performances. The package is charged to allow optimal interaction between fluids and the sensors and protecting the latter from the external environment. As miniaturized structures allows a great spatial resolution, it is extremely challenging to fabricate low cost packages for multiple flow rate measurements on the same chip. As a final point, a compact anemometer prototype, usable for wireless sensor network nodes, is described. The design of the full custom circuitry for signal extraction and conditioning is coped in the second chapter, where insights into the design methods are given for analog basic building blocks such as amplifiers, transconductors, filters, multipliers, current drivers. A big effort has been put to find reusable design guidelines and trade-offs applicable to different design cases. This kind of rational design enabled the implementation of complex and flexible functionalities making the interface circuits able to interact both with on chip sensors and external sensors. In the third chapter, the chip floor-plan designed in the STMicroelectronics BCD6s process of the entire smart flow sensor formed by the sensing structures and the readout electronics is presented. Some preliminary tests are also covered here. Finally design and implementation of very low power interfaces for typical MEMS capacitive sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, pressure sensors, angular displacement and chemical species sensors) is discussed. Very original circuital topologies, based on chopper modulation technique, will be illustrated. A prototype, designed within a joint research activity is presented. Measured performances spurred the investigation of new techniques to enhance precision and accuracy capabilities of the interface. A brief introduction to the design of active pixel sensors interface for hybrid CMOS imagers is sketched in the appendix as a preliminary study done during an internship in the CNM-IMB institute of Barcelona

Uninterruptible power supply system using a dual converter in quasi-resonant mode

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems have become a standard to protect electronic devices such as servers and host computers. Also, the energy supply of whole buildings is linked with large UPS systems to ensure a steady power flow. Two system configurations are widely used which differ in price and their ability to protect very sensitive load. This thesis illustrates an analytical examination of all existing systems and concludes with the finding of new configurations with increased efficiency and reduced costs. A dual converter is proposed as the heart of the new UPS system. This converter links the necessary two sources of the UPS through a common transformer. The transformer operates at a high frequency which is enabled due to the resonant switching technique used. The results of this paper were achieved using mathematical analysis, electrical and electro-magnetic simulation as well as by experiments carried out on the self designed circuit boards in the laboratory. These boards were built in a modular way to enable series testing and thereby optimise the dimensioning of the system.This work is the result of a collaborative project between the BRUNEL UNIVERSITY WEST LONDON,U.K. and the FACHHOCHSCHULE FUR TECHNIK ESSLINGEN, GERMANY