The SEU and Total Dose Response of the INMOS Transputer

The INMOS Transputer is a unique 32-bit processor intended for parallel processing applications. Initial application evaluation by the European Space Agency (ESA) has shown the device to be of major interest in the areas of image processing and fault tolerance. An SEU and total dose evaluation program has been carried out using Californium-252, a Tandem Accelerator, Cobalt-60 and 150 keV X-rays. The SEU Threshold was found to be about 3 (MeV.cm2/mg) and the limiting Cross-Section 2x10-6 cm2 per bit at an LET of 43 (MeV.cm2/mg). The total dose hardness was found to be in the range of 35-50 Krads and to be dose-rate sensitive.