On-Chip Characterization of Single-Event Transient Pulsewidths

A new on-chip single-event transient (SET) test structure has been developed to autonomously characterize the widths of random SET pulses. Simulation results show measurement granularity of 900 ps for a 1.5 mum technology and also indicate that the measurement granularity rapidly scales down with technology. Laser tests were used to demonstrate circuit operation on test chips fabricated using a 1.5 mum process. The experimental results indicate pulsewidths varying from about 900 ps to over 3 ns as the laser energy was increased