Radiation Hardened Digital to Analog Converter

ABSTRACT: Data transmission in communication systems, RADARs, satellite systems, and other military devices are dominated by analog data conversion. High performance, low power digital to analog converters (DAC) that exceed 3Gsps with 12 bits of resolution and are available in the commercial marketplace, but they lack the radiation hardness required to support military satellite applications.Trusted Semiconductor Solutions designed a radiation hardened, low-power, 3Gsps 12-bit DAC in Phase I.The DAC is latch up immune, will operate at a TID > 1Mrad(Si) with SEU < 10e-10 errors/bit-day. Dose rate upset is 10e10 rad(Si)/s and dose rate survivability is 10e12 rad(Si)/s. The radiation hardened DAC implements a partially segmented architecture, which is typical for this performance class. The DAC has an SNR of 70dB, an SFDR of 76dB and operating power of 1.5W. The DAC interfaces to an ASIC or FPGA through four 12-bit LVDS ports running at 750MHz.Prototype units will be fabricated, radiation tested and characterized in Phase II. Parts will be assembled in 255-lead hermetic CCGA packages. Additionally, a DAC evaluation module will be developed and delivered for the purpose of demonstrating functionality and performance. Product upgrade and MIL-PRF-38535 space-level QML-V qualification testing will be performed in Phase III.; BENEFIT: Execution of this program provides the Air Force with a state-of-the art QML-V radiation hardened DAC for space based MILSATCOM and GPS applications. The DAC will be fabricated on-shore and parts assembled in a ceramic, hermetic LGA package suitable for space flight. Prototype units and a DAC evaluation module will be available 15 months after the start of Phase II. The DAC evaluation module can be used to demonstrate and market the DAC in parallel with the Phase III QML-V qualification efforts. In addition to Department of Defense programs, the DAC is also well suited for commercial space, avionics, industrial, medical and commercial applications.