SINGLE EVENT UPSETS IN GALLIUM-ARSENIDE DYNAMIC LOGIC

The advantages and disadvantages of using gallium arsenide (GaAs) dyna mic logic in computers and digital systems are briefly discussed, espe cially with respect to space applications. A short introduction to the topology and operation of GaAs Two-Phase Dynamic FET Logic (TDFL) cir cuits is presented. Experiments for testing the SEU sensitivity of GaA s TDFL, using a laser to create charge collection events, are describe d. Results are used to estimate the heavy-ion, soft error rate for TDF L in a spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit, and the dependence of the S EU sensitivity on clock frequency, clock voltage, and clock phase. Ana lysis of the data includes a comparison between the SEU sensitivities of TDFL and the more common static form of GaAs logic, Directly Couple d FET Logic (DCFL). This is the first reported SEU testing of GaAs dyn amic logic.