Multi-Gigabit-Rate Radiation Hard Bus

A concept was developed for a multi-gigabit-rate, radiation-hardened (RH) bus that would support open-system architecture and provide a cost-effective, high-speed interconnect. This concept is based on Advanced Science and Novel Technology Company’s SerDes system, which supports a variety of interfaces, and operates at frequencies from DC to more than 15 GHz. The design of the improved SerDes is based on the company’s proprietary library of RH cells and functional blocks using annular FETs (field-effect transistors) that are available in commercial CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) technologies. Bus architecture and preliminary SerDes circuit design have been accomplished during this phase. At the time of this reporting, the complete chip was to be designed and fabricated in the next phase.