With the relentless shrinking of the minimum feature size of VLSI Integrated Circuits (ICs), reduction in operating voltages and increase in operating frequencies, VLSI circuits are becoming more vulnerable to radiation strikes. As a result, this problem is now important not only for space and military electronics but also for consumer ICs. Thus, the design of radiation-hardened circuits has received significant attention in recent times. This thesis addresses the radiation hardening issue for VLSI ICs. In particular, circuit techniques are presented to protect against Single Event Transients (SETs). Radiation hardening has long been an area of research for memories for space and military ICs. In a memory, the stored state can ip as a result of a radiation strike. Such bit reversals in case of memories are known as Single Event Upsets (SEUs). With the feature sizes of VLSI ICs becoming smaller, radiation-induced glitches have become a source of concern in combinational circuits also. In combinational circuits, if a glitch due to a radiation event occurs at the time the circuit outputs are being sampled, it could lead to the propagation of a faulty value. The current or voltage glitches on the nodes of a combinational circuit are known as SETs. When an SET occurring on a node of a logic network is propagated through the gates of the network and is captured by a latch as a logic error, it is transformed to an SEU. The approach presented in this thesis makes use of Code Word State Preserving (CWSP) elements at each ip-op of the design, along with additional logic to trigger a recomputation in case a SET induced error is detected. The combinational part of the design is left unaltered. The CWSP element provides 100% SET protection for glitch widths up to min{(Dmin-D1)/2, (Dmax-D2)/2}, where Dmin and Dmax are the minimum and maximum circuit delay respectively. D1 and D2 are extra delays associated with the proposed SET protection circuit. The CWSP circuit has two inputs - the flip flop output signal and the same signal delayed by a quantity 6. In case an SET error is detected at the end of a clock period i, then the computation is repeated in clock period i+1, using the correct output value, which was captured by the CWSP element in the ith clock period. Unlike previous approaches, the CWSP element is i) in a secondary computational path and ii) the CWSP logic is designed to minimally impact the critical delay path of the design. It was found through SPICE simulations that the delay penalty of the proposed approach (averaged over several designs) is less than 1%. Thus, the proposed technique is applicable for high-speed designs, where the additional delay associated with the SET protection must be kept at a minimum.

With decreasing feature sizes, lowered supply voltages and increasing operating frequencies, the radiation tolerance of digital circuits is becoming an increasingly important problem. Many radiation hardening techniques have been presented in the literature for combinational as well as sequential logic. However, the radiation tolerance of clock generation circuitry has received scant attention to date. Recently, it has been shown that in the deep submicron regime, the clock network contributes significantly to the chip level Soft Error Rate (SER). The on-chip Phase Locked Loop (PLL) is particularly vulnerable to radiation strikes. In this thesis, we present a radiation hardened PLL design. Each of the components of this design-the voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), the phase frequency detector (PFD) and the charge pump/loop filter-are designed in a radiation tolerant manner. Whenever possible, the circuit elements used in our PLL exploit the fact that if a gate is implemented using only PMOS (NMOS) transistors then a radiation particle strike can result only in a logic 0 to 1 (1 to 0) flip. By separating the PMOS and NMOS devices, and splitting the gate output into two signals, extreme high levels of radiation tolerance are obtained. Our design uses two VCOs (with cross-coupled inverters) and charge pumps, so that a strike on any one is compensated by the other. Our PLL is tested for radiation immunity for critical charge values up to 250fC. Our SPICE-based results demonstrate that after exhaustively striking all circuit nodes, the worst case jitter of our hardened PLL is just 37.4 percent. In the worst case, our PLL returns to the locked state in 2 cycles of the VCO clock, after a radiation strike. These numbers are significant improvements over those of the best previously reported approaches.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 25-28, 1999 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / A programmable RF ASIC is described which provides most of the RF functions within a next generation S-band transponder for space applications. The unique 18-contact LCC device can be programmed to perform a variety of RF and analog functions. This single space qualified high speed bipolar "function toolbox" is used in 39 locations throughout the transponder to provide a flexible radio architecture. The ASIC design process, internal electrical design, circuit application, space environment performance, and RF testing of the RF ASIC are described. This proprietary part provides a space-qualified solution for RF circuitry that can be applied to a variety of space application products.

Abstract This thesis work is about finding out which coating should be used for which hardened tool steel and this was done by testing different coated cutting tools in different kinds of tool steels. The thesis work is performed at Uddeholms AB together with Uddeholms AB in the department of R&D at machinability cooperating with eifeler-Vacotec GmbH. The thesis work is going on from the end of January to the start of June and is a part of the education as mechanical engineer at Karlstad University and includes a total of 22,5 hp. The objective after finished thesis work is to be able to leave a recommendation to Uddeholms AB which coating is most suitable for each tool steel. To be able to leave that recommendation cutting tests are performed in four different hardened steel grades from Uddeholms AB combined with seven different coatings from eifeler-Vacotec GmbH. Steel grades tested are NIMAX®, DIEVAR®, VANADIS® 10 and ORVAR® SUPREME and coatings tested are CROSAL®, EXXTRAL® and SISTRAL® in different compounds. ORVAR® SUPREME gave such a long cutting tool-life that it was left for further investigation due to time limits that the thesis work had. In the other three tool steels it was possible to get a recommendation out of the four coatings tested in each tool steel. The coating that is recommended for each tool steel is only based on the cutting tool lasting the longest in each tool steel. That is not how a recommendation usually is formed, however for this thesis work there is no time for checking all the aspects that is vital for a proper recommendation. In order to get a proper recommendation, further more aspects that are checked are for example: Different cutting parameters (cutting speed, feed, etc.) Different geometries on the cutting tool Smoothness of the cutting tool and the coating In table 1 there is a compilation of which coating that was recommended for which tool steel. Table 1. This is a compilation of which coating that was recommended for which tool steel. NIMAX®               CROSAL® V1 DIEVAR®             SISTRAL® Ultrafine VANADIS® 10    SISTRAL® S

<p> The macroscopic mechanical behaviour of alloys is intimately related to their structure at the atomic level. The influence of small (<0.1μ) ordered coherent particles (𝛄') on the mechanical properties of Ni-Al alloys has been studied. The maximum strength of polycrystals occurs at 0.45 volume fraction 𝛄' and grain boundary embrittlement occurs at higher volume fractions. It was shown that long range order in the particles affects strength by increasing the anti-phase boundary energy. In monocrystals the deformation behaviour is strongly influenced by the amount of particles present. </p> <p> By growing very large particles of 𝛄' (~1.0μ) dislocation-particle interactions have been studied. Stacking faults have been observed in the particles whose bounding dislocation Burgers vectors were determined. By suitable heat treatment still larger 𝛄' particles (~10µ) were formed which had incoherent interfaces. The dislocation networks at the interfaces were analysed. </p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 25-28, 1999 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / This paper briefly reports on concepts for hardening (physically toughening) crystal reference oscillators for the highly integrated program known as HSTSS. Within the HSTSS program is the L & S band transmitter development contract. The harshest requirements for this contract are surviving and functioning, to within 20 ppm of its center frequency, 30 ms after sustaining a shock pulse of 100,000 (g) for 0.5 ms on any axis. Additional requirements call for the transmitter to be no larger than 0.2 in3, and to operate within a 20 ppm frequency stability throughout the temperature range of -400 to +850 centigrade and during centrifugal spins of up to 300 Hz or 25,000 (g). Fundamentally the question is, is it feasible for any telemetry system to be capable of withstanding such harsh conditions and, to be practical on all DoD Test Ranges, still adhere to the stability tolerance guidelines set forth by the Range Commanders Council on Telemetry Standards - IRIG 106-96? Under "normal" conditions, stability requirements for "Range" transmitters are easily satisfied through the use of off-the-shelf crystal reference oscillators which provide the reference frequencies required within a transmitter’s phase lock loop circuitry. Unfortunately, the oscillator is also the most vulnerable part of a transmitter to the conditions listed and is the key to this problem. The oscillator’s weak points are in its resonator’s fragile quartz structure (the blank) and support mechanism. The challenge is to invent and adapt this area to these newer harsher conditions and to do it in the smallest space ever required.

As operações de usinagem compreendem uma parcela significativa do universo da manufatura sendo que atualmente algumas tendências bem definidas, como a usinagem de peças já endurecidas, vêm ganhando espaço no campo da fabricação de moldes e matrizes, em especial, mas também na indústria automotiva e de construção de máquinas. O torneamento e o fresamento de materiais, nesta difícil condição de usinagem, já estão estabelecidos na indústria. Assim, a conversão do processo de produção atual de materiais em estado mole para endurecido só será possível com todas as operações de usinagem incluídas. Devido a isso, a demanda por furação e roscamento de peças endurecidas está em constante crescimento. Essas operações apresentam dificuldades muito maiores do que as de torneamento e fresamento, daí a importância de ferramentas especificamente projetadas para elas. Dessa forma, este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar o processo de desgaste sofrido pelas ferramentas durante a furação e roscamento de aços AISI D2 e AISI H13 com a utilização de diferentes velocidades de corte. As forças de corte e o torque também serão medidos durante o processo para avaliar seus comportamentos com o aumento da velocidade. Com os resultados obtidos verificou-se que na furação e roscamento de aços endurecidos de baixa usinabilidade, como no caso do aço AISI D2, o desgaste da ferramenta é muito acentuado, podendo tornar o processo inviável economicamente caso não sejam empregadas velocidades de corte extremamente reduzidas. De uma forma geral, a furação e o roscamento do AISI H13 pode ser viável, pois o número de furos/roscas obtidos dentro dos critérios especificados mostrou-se muito superior ao esperado. Os principais mecanismos de desgastes que atuaram nos machos de corte durante o processo de roscamento de ambos os aços (AISI D2 e AISI H13) foram abrasão nas superfícies de folga e adesão nas superfícies de saída de forma acentuada nos três primeiros filetes. / The cutting processes compose a huge part of the manufacturing universe and, nowadays, some well-defined trends, like cutting hardened materials, are increasing not only in die molding production but also in automotive and machine industries. The turning and milling processes of materials, in this difficult condition of cutting, are already applied in the mechanical industries. Therefore, the total conversion of the present production process of regular materials into hardened ones can only be reached when all the cutting processes are included. Because of that, the demands of drilling and tapping hardened materials have increased constantly. These operations require tools specifically designed for them, because they have proven themselves to be much more difficult than the turning and milling processes. In that way, this work aimed to study the wear process of drills and taps used to machining the AISI D2 and AISI H13 hardened steels with different cutting speeds. The cutting forces and the torque generated were also acquired during the cutting process to evaluate its behavior with the speed increase. After analyzing the results, a very aggressive tool wear was confirmed in the drilling and tapping process of hardened steels with bad machinability, like the AISI D2 steel, and this can make the process economically unfeasible if an extremely reduced cutting speed is not used. Generally, the drilling and tapping process of the AISI H13 can become economically viable, because the number of holes/threads achieved in accordance with the specified criteria was superior to the expected ones. In the cutting process of both materials (AISI D2 and H13), the main wear mechanism observed on the taps were abrasion, on the clearance surface, and adhesion, on the rake surface. This was severe for the first three threads of the tap.

The objective of the work described was to identify and explore a paradigm shifting solution that could offer leap-ahead capabilities to counter current and future DBHT threats while mitigating or eliminating the self-deterrence issue. A multidisciplinary approach to the problem was formulated and implemented. Systematic evaluation of DHBT defeat alternatives lead to the selection of a thermal subterrene as a hypothetical means of providing such a capability. A number of possible implementation alternatives for a thermal subterrene were investigated, resulting in the identification of the RadioIsotope Powered Thermal Penetrator (RIPTP) concept for providing an effectively unlimited, self-contained hard rock penetration capability using near-term technologies. However, the proposed approach was novel and thus required formulation and application of a physics based multidisciplinary analysis code to enable evaluation of design alternatives and analysis of performance. The following disciplinary analyses were composed into a multidisciplinary analysis code for a RIPTP: packing of RIPTP components in available volume; close-contact melting analysis; transmutation of isotope species by neutron activation; reactor neutron economy; radioisotope power generation through decay; metamodelled radiation shielding calculations for a RIPTP; and steady state thermal analyses for a RIPTP in various scenarios. Performance analysis of the identified baseline Thulium-170 RIPTP suggested that the predicted low penetration rate of about 10 meters/day could be a significant negative factor with regards to possible viability of the concept. Consequently, a survey for potentially enabling technologies was performed using an adaptation of the Technology Impact Forecasting (TIF) approach. It was found that the greatest potential for improving performance of the baseline Thulium-170 RIPTP resulted from increasing overall power density of the penetrator. Several possible technology approaches to achieving significantly increased penetration rates are proposed.

Recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) is a construction material, which is being used in the Canadian construction industry more frequently than it was in the past. The environmental benefits associated with RCA use, such as reduced landfilling and natural aggregate (NA) quarrying, have been identified by industry and government agencies. This has resulted in some incentives to use RCA in construction applications. Some properties of RCA are variable and as a result the material is often used as a structural fill, which is a low risk application. The use of RCA in this application is beneficial from an overall sustainability perspective but may not represent the most efficient use of the material. Efficient use of a material means getting the most benefit possible out of that material in a given application. The initial step in efficient material use is evaluating how a material affects its potential applications. In the case of RCA, this includes its use in concrete as a coarse aggregate. RCA is made up of both aggregate and cement mortar from its original application. Its make-up results in absorption capacities, which are higher than NA. Its high absorption capacity indicates that RCA can retain a relatively large proportion of water. Internal curing of concrete is the practice of intentionally entraining reservoirs of water within concrete. This water is drawn into the cement at a beneficial point in the cement hydration process. This water allows for a more complete hydration reaction, less desiccation, a less permeable concrete pore system, and less susceptibility to the negative effects of poor curing. The potential for RCA to act as an internal curing agent was evaluated in this research. Two RCA types were studied in the course of this research, one RCA of high-quality and one low-quality. These were compared to one NA type, which served as experimental control. Neither RCA type was found to desorb significant amounts of entrained water at relative humidity levels between 85% and 93%. This behaviour indicates that they would not behave as a traditional internal curing agent. Within concrete, the initial saturation levels of these RCAs were 0%, 60% and 100% of their full absorption capacity. The mixtures ranged from 30% RCA (by volume of coarse aggregate) to 100% RCA. These mixtures were subjected to two curing regimes, MTO-specified curing conditions and moist curing, in order to gauge the internal curing potential of the RCA. Fully saturated RCA mixtures were found to retain water throughout the course of testing. They were also found to increase the rate of compressive strength gain at early ages in comparison to similarly cured NA mixtures. Full saturation was found to have a negative effect on the thermal expansion behaviour of the concrete at 28 days concrete age. Permeable porosity of concrete was measured as an indicator of more thorough hydration in RCA concrete, but any potential benefits were masked by the increase in permeable porosity associated with permeable RCA. When compared with NA control mixtures and RCA mixtures cured under ideal conditions, it was found that saturated RCA mixtures provided compressive strength benefits. Low-quality RCA, which lost entrained water earlier in the testing period than high-quality RCA, benefitted in terms of early age compressive strength gains under specified curing conditions. High-quality RCA, which retained a relatively higher proportion of its entrained water throughout the early testing period, improved later age compressive strength under spec-curing conditions. Mixtures with 30% RCA (by volume of coarse aggregate) were generally found to not significantly affect the tensile strength, elastic modulus, and permeable porosity of the concrete. Tensile strength and elastic modulus were found to be consistently lower in RCA concretes, while permeable porosity was consistently higher. However, the magnitudes of these changes were not large enough to be statistically significant based on the testing regime employed. Compressive strength was significantly improved at 28 days when the 30% RCA was fully saturated. 30% RCA mixtures significantly reduced the thermal expansion of concrete at 28 days, which could provide particular benefit to concrete pavement applications. Overall, RCA saturation in new concrete had both positive and negative effects on the properties of concrete, which should both be considered in the context of the application for which RCA concrete is being considered. Specifically, concrete applications with the potential for poor curing and the need for reduced thermal expansion could benefit through the inclusion of coarse RCA. For example, these benefits could manifest in reduced thermal cracking at slab joints and reduced thermal stresses due to temperature gradients in pavements.

abstract: Radiation hardening by design (RHBD) has become a necessary practice when creating circuits to operate within radiated environments. While employing RHBD techniques has tradeoffs between size, speed and power, novel designs help to minimize these penalties. Space radiation is the primary source of radiation errors in circuits and two types of single event effects, single event upsets (SEU), and single event transients (SET) are increasingly becoming a concern. While numerous methods currently exist to nullify SEUs and SETs, special consideration to the techniques of temporal hardening and interlocking are explored in this thesis. Temporal hardening mitigates both SETs and SEUs by spacing critical nodes through the use of delay elements, thus allowing collected charge to be removed. Interlocking creates redundant nodes to rectify charge collection on one single node. This thesis presents an innovative, temporally hardened D flip-flop (TFF). The TFF physical design is laid out in the 130 nm TSMC process in the form of an interleaved multi-bit cell and the circuitry necessary for the flip-flop to be hardened against SETs and SEUs is analyzed with simulations verifying these claims. Comparisons are made to an unhardened D flip-flop through speed, size, and power consumption depicting how the RHBD technique used increases all three over an unhardened flip-flop. Finally, the blocks from both the hardened and the unhardened flip-flops being placed in Synthesis and auto-place and route (APR) design flows are compared through size and speed to show the effects of using the high density multi-bit layout. Finally, the TFF presented in this thesis is compared to two other flip-flops, the majority voter temporal/DICE flip-flop (MTDFF) and the C-element temporal/DICE flip-flop (CTDFF). These circuits are built on the same 130 nm TSMC process as the TFF and then analyzed by the same methods through speed, size, and power consumption and compared to the TFF and unhardened flip-flops. Simulations are completed on the MTDFF and CTDFF to show their strengths against D node SETs and SEUs as well as their weakness against CLK node SETs. Results show that the TFF is faster and harder than both the MTDFF and CTDFF. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Electrical Engineering 2010