The radiation environment in space, that consists primarily of galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) and solar energetic particles (SEPs), directly influences space systems, which rely on complex and fragile electronic devices. In fact, the negative effects of radiation are one of the main concerns of space microelectronics and can be classified into two main groups: Total Ionizing Dose (TID) and Single Event Effects (SEE). Within the latter, the so-called Single Event Latch-up effect (SEL) is particularly critical because it is a potentially destructive event. In addition, the current trend of using (Commercial Off The Shelf) COTS in space applications makes electronic systems even more vulnerable to SEL. In this scenario, SEL protection of microelectronic devices in space becomes a key issue to be solved not only at the system level, but also at the device level. 

This proposal is focused on the design, characterization and fabrication of an integrated circuit that allows the protection of electronic devices against Single Event Latch-up effects generated by radiation. This device must monitor the current consumption of critical chips and disconnect the protected circuits from the supply voltage to prevent their possible destruction. In this way, electronic systems for space can be implemented using COTS[12], with the resulting cost reduction, while being protected against the most critical effects without the need for special radiation hardening techniques. Therefore, the main objective of the project (SEL-PROTECTS) is to develop and validate a family of integrated circuits that constitute a viable commercial solution to protect, at chip level, space electronic systems against SEL destructive effects in high radiation environments. 

The consortium comprises 2 partners. (1) ALTER TECHNOLOGY (ALTER.Coordinator) is a leading company provider of micro and optoelectronics services in engineering, procurement, assembly, and test in space and harsh environment markets.  (2) University of Seville (USE)brings extensive experience in microelectronic design for high radiation environments as a CERN Associated Institute and a regular ESA collaborator in radiation sensitivity assessment.