SINGLE EVENT UPSETS IN SPACECRAFT DIGITAL SYSTEMS

Abstract

This paper describes the physical environment that can result in random bit changes in space-borne memory systems. The impact of bit flips in digital telemetry systems is emphasized, with special attention paid to software requirements for protection from single event upset (SEU) effects. Some observations on incidence rates are presented along with an outline of hardware and software methods that can be taken to prevent future SEU problems. Several conclusions are drawn about strategies for preventing data corruption on the next generation of satellites in the presence of SEU-inducing particles.