Expert says technology could shield circuits from radiation in space missions

Currently, manned space missions face the great challenge of the need to shield circuits and systems from radiation to prevent permanent equipment failure.

According to Fernanda Kastensmidt, professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul Informatics Institute (UFRGS) and assistant at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), There are already some software and hardware techniques that can protect these circuits and prevent permanent failures. The IEEE is considered the world’s largest technical organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity, both for space missions and for Earth.

The expert worked on the first Brazilian radiation-resistant chip nearly a decade ago and was part of three national satellite teams, two of which are the CubeSat NanosatC-BR and NanosatC-BR2 satellites.

“The sun emits many energetic particles closer to Earth, and some particles from other galaxies may also come in. But for any satellite or interplanetary space application, the entire integrated circuit goes through a strong rain of ions hitting this material, which can cause electrical circuits. When asked about the big problem of radiation, current pulses that can cause the circuit to fail,” Fernanda said.

circuit against radiation

According to Fernanda Kastensmidt, ion rain can burn circuits and cause other failures in systems, but she says, Using some kind of coverage in this system may be the solution to reduce the intensity of the incident and radiation interference.. However, it is not possible to avoid the process as there is not a material thick enough to completely prevent radiation interference; neither on earth nor in space.

Fernanda explains further showers of neutrons strike the integrated circuit and produce energetic secondary particles that can cause malfunctions.. Currently, the expert is working on a project to publicize with the Brazilian Space Agency’s CNPQ to use different techniques to protect NASA’s open software.

As an example of error, Kastensmidt says, “To avoid this kind of error, they start to use some fault tolerance. A self-driving car must constantly identify road signs, people and animals, but if there is a breakdown, that interpretation may be wrong, which could lead to an accident. can open”.

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