Analysis and Effects of Space Radiation Induced Single Event Transients

Spacecraft electronics are affected by the space radiation environment. Among the different types of radiation effects that can affect spacecraft electronics is the single event transients. The space environment is responsible for many of the single event transients which can upset the performance of the spacecraft avionics hardware. In this paper we first explore the origins of single event transients, then illustrate the bahaviors of a single event transient in a digital circuit. We then provide a discussion concerning propagation of a single event transient event at the local, subsystem, and system level. The final goal of the paper is to provide a qualitatively methodology for asessing single event transients and its effects so that spacecraft avionics engineers can develop either hardware or software coutermeasures in their designs.