Design Services

Alphacore uses advanced radiation-hardening approaches to ensure reliable microelectronic performance under harsh environments. Our hardening techniques include:  

•  Radiation hardening by (fabrication) process selection
•  Radiation hardening by circuit architecture selection 
•  Radiation hardening by design (RHBD)

Most of Alphacore’s analog and mixed signal IP uses the circuit architecture selection approach, where the circuit topologies have been carefully selected to provide the best possible inherent hardness.

In many cases this approach already achieves the needed hardness level, but by porting to a process that provides better radiation tolerance, applying RHBD techniques in design and/or layout, or a combination of two or more techniques, higher levels of radiation tolerance can be achieved. 

Alphacore has hardened versions for many of the advanced CMOS analog and mixed-signal IP blocks in our catalog. We can also harden the other IP by customer request.  

Total Ionizing Dose (TID) Testing

Alphacore uses state-of-the-art advanced facilities to conduct several types of radiation tests, including traditional Co-60 Enhanced Low Dose Rate Sensitivity (ELDRS) tests and X-ray tests. 

• Testing is available under variable conditions, such as vacuum and extreme temperatures
• Tests are conducted according to international and/or military standards, and secure the highest level of accuracy and quality
• Our team of experts plan, execute and provide support throughout the full duration of each experiment

Single Event Effects (SEE) Testing

Alphacore also offers Heavy-Ion and Proton Single Event Effects (SEE) testing. The SEEs can be categorized as:

• Single Event Transient (SET) 
• Single Event Upset (SEU) 
• Single Event Latchup (SEL) 
• Single Event Functional Interrupt (SEFI) 
• Single Event Burnout (SEB) 
• Single Event Gate Rupture (SEGR)