January 2015 • The PCB Design Magazine 47
while being lightweight and flexible, is be-
ing trialed.
• Earth's atmosphere offers the same protec-
tion as a concrete layer four meters thick.
• The most common defense against soft
errors is error-correcting software. In ad-
dition, multiple copies of data is stored
in different locations in memory. Critical
systems, like those on satellites or aircraft,
complete hardware systems are built in
triplicate.
• Manufacturers of integrated circuits and
sensors, intended for the military or aero-
space markets, employ various methods of
radiation hardening.
• Printed circuit boards cannot be totally
shielded against the impact of cosmic rays;
however, we can take precautions to avoid
interference from shorter wavelength ra-
diation.
• Embedding signals between the planes re-
duces susceptibility to radiation, as well as
providing ESD protection.
For information on the ICD Stackup and
PDN Planner, visit www.icd.com.au.
PCBDESIgN
References
1. Barry Olney: Beyond Design: Embedded
Signal Routing
2. David Hambling: "Burnout," New Scientist,
September 2014
3. Cygo.com: "Space Radiation Shielding"
4. Nasa.gov: Radiation shielding research
5. Wikipedia: Radiation hardening
Barry olney is managing direc-
tor of In-Circuit Design Pty ltd
(ICD), Australia. This PCB design
service bureau specializes in
board-level simulation, and has
developed the ICD Stackup Plan-
ner and ICD PDn Planner software. To read
past columns, or to contact olney, click here.
ELECTROMAgNETIC SuSCEPTIBILITY continues
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realtimewith.com
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