Radiation Effects Characterization of the SBP9900A 16-Bit Microprocessor

Characterization of the Texas Instruments SBP9900A 16-bit microprocessor has been performed in radiation environments. The test results indicate that the devices will remain functional at reduced electrical performance following exposures to ionizing radiation levels of 3×106rads(Si) or neutron fluences of 3×1013n/cm2. Transient logic upset was not observed at ionizing radiation dose rates of less than 1×109rads(Si)/sec. The primary failure mode in the neutron and total ionizing dose environments was found to be a reduction in up-gain of the npn portion of the I2L cell. Methods of enhancing the radiation hardness of the SBP9900A are discussed.