This thesis describes the architecture, verification, qualification, and packaging of a 16-channel silicon-germanium (SiGe) Remote Electronics Unit (REU) designed for use in extreme environment applications encountered on NASA's exploration roadmap. The SiGe REU was targeted for operation outside the protective electronic "vaults" in a lunar environment that exhibits cyclic temperature swings from -180o.C to 120o.C, a total ionizing dose (TID) radiation level of 100 krad, and heavy ion exposure (single event effects) over the mission lifetime. The REU leverages SiGe BiCMOS technological advantages and design methodologies, enabling exceptional extreme environment robustness. It utilizes a mixed-signal Remote Sensor Interface (RSI) ASIC and an HDL-based Remote Digital Control (RDC) architecture to read data from up to 16 sensors using three different analog channel types with customizable gain, current stimulus, calibration, and sample rate with 12-bit analog-to-digital conversion. The SiGe REU exhibits excellent channel sensitivity throughout the temperature range, hardness to at least 100 krad TID exposure, and single event latchup immunity, representing the cutting edge in cold-capable electronic systems. The SiGe REU is the first example within a potential paradigm shift in space-based electronics.

This work evaluates two SiGe BiCMOS technology platforms as candidates for implementing extreme environment capable circuitry, with an emphasis on applications requiring high sensitivity and low noise. In Chapter 1, applications requiring extreme environment sensing circuitry are briefly reviewed and the motivation for undertaking this study is outlined. A case is then presented for the use of SiGe BiCMOS technology to meet this need, documenting the benefits of operating SiGe HBTs at cryogenic temperatures. Chapter 1 concludes with a brief description of device radiation effects in bipolar and CMOS devices, and a basic overview of noise in semiconductor devices and electronic components. Chapter 2 further elaborates on a specific application requiring low-noise circuitry capable of operating at cryogenic temperatures and proposes a number of variants of band-gap reference circuits for use in said system. Detailed simulation and theoretical analysis of the proposed circuits are presented and compared with measurements, validating the techniques used in the proposed designs and emphasizing the need for further understanding of device level low-temperature noise phenomena. Chapter 3 evaluates the feasibility of using a SiGe BiCMOS process, whose response to ionizing radiation was previously uncharacterized, for use in unshielded electronic systems needed for exploration of deep space planets or moons, specifically targeting Europa mission requirements. Measured total ionizing dose (TID) responses for both CMOS and bipolar SiGe devices are presented and compared to similar technologies. The mechanisms responsible for device degradation are outlined, and an explanation of unexpected results is proposed. Finally, Chapter 4 summarizes the work presented and understanding provided by this thesis, concluding by outlining future research needed to build upon this study and fully realize SiGe based extreme environment capable precision electronic systems.

SiGe HBTs is a hot topic within the microelectronics community because of its applications potential within integrated circuits operating at radio frequencies. Applications range from high speed optical networking to wireless communication devices. The addition of germanium to silicon technologies to form silicon germanium (SiGe) devices has created a revolution in the semiconductor industry. These transistors form the enabling devices in a wide range of products for wireless and wired communications. This book features: SiGe products include chip sets for wireless cellular handsets as well as WLAN and high-speed wired network applications Describes the physics and technology of SiGe HBTs, with coverage of Si and Ge bipolar transistors Written with the practising engineer in mind, this book explains the operating principles and applications of bipolar transistor technology. Essential reading for practising microelectronics engineers and researchers. Also, optical communications engineers and communication technology engineers. An ideal reference tool for masters level students in microelectronics and electronics engineering.

This informative, new resource presents the first comprehensive treatment of silicon-germanium heterojunction bipolar transistors (SiGe HBTs). It offers you a complete, from-the-ground-up understanding of SiGe HBT devices and technology, from a very broad perspective. The book covers motivation, history, materials, fabrication, device physics, operational principles, and circuit-level properties associated with this new cutting-edge semiconductor device technology. Including over 400 equations and more than 300 illustrations, this hands-on reference shows you in clear and concise language how to design, simulate, fabricate, and measure a SiGe HBT.

* Examines the various methods available for circuit protection, including coverage of the newly developed ESD circuit protection schemes for VLSI circuits. * Provides guidance on the implementation of circuit protection measures. * Includes new sections on ESD design rules, layout approaches, package effects, and circuit concepts. * Reviews the new Charged Device Model (CDM) test method and evaluates design requirements necessary for circuit protection.

Starting from basic principles, this book describes the rapidly growing field of modern semiconductor detectors used for energy and position measurement radiation. The author, whose own contributions to these developments have been significant, explains the working principles of semiconductor radiation detectors in an intuitive way. Broad coverage is also given to electronic signal readout and to the subject of radiation damage.

Research on radiation-tolerant electronics has increased rapidly over the past few years, resulting in many interesting approaches to modeling radiation effects and designing radiation-hardened integrated circuits and embedded systems. This research is strongly driven by the growing need for radiation-hardened electronics for space applications, high-energy physics experiments such as those on the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, and many terrestrial nuclear applications including nuclear energy and nuclear safety. With the progressive scaling of integrated circuit technologies and the growing complexity of electronic systems, their susceptibility to ionizing radiation has raised many exciting challenges, which are expected to drive research in the coming decade. In this book we highlight recent breakthroughs in the study of radiation effects in advanced semiconductor devices, as well as in high-performance analog, mixed signal, RF, and digital integrated circuits. We also focus on advances in embedded radiation hardening in both FPGA and microcontroller systems and apply radiation-hardened embedded systems for cryptography and image processing, targeting space applications.

BiCMOS Technology and Applications, Second Edition provides a synthesis of available knowledge about the combination of bipolar and MOS transistors in a common integrated circuit - BiCMOS. In this new edition all chapters have been updated and completely new chapters on emerging topics have been added. In addition, BiCMOS Technology and Applications, Second Edition provides the reader with a knowledge of either CMOS or Bipolar technology/design a reference with which they can make educated decisions regarding the viability of BiCMOS in their own application. BiCMOS Technology and Applications, Second Edition is vital reading for practicing integrated circuit engineers as well as technical managers trying to evaluate business issues related to BiCMOS. As a textbook, this book is also appropriate at the graduate level for a special topics course in BiCMOS. A general knowledge in device physics, processing and circuit design is assumed. Given the division of the book, it lends itself well to a two-part course; one on technology and one on design. This will provide advanced students with a good understanding of tradeoffs between bipolar and MOS devices and circuits.

Unfriendly to conventional electronic devices, circuits, and systems, extreme environments represent a serious challenge to designers and mission architects. The first truly comprehensive guide to this specialized field, Extreme Environment Electronics explains the essential aspects of designing and using devices, circuits, and electronic systems intended to operate in extreme environments, including across wide temperature ranges and in radiation-intense scenarios such as space. The Definitive Guide to Extreme Environment Electronics Featuring contributions by some of the world’s foremost experts in extreme environment electronics, the book provides in-depth information on a wide array of topics. It begins by describing the extreme conditions and then delves into a description of suitable semiconductor technologies and the modeling of devices within those technologies. It also discusses reliability issues and failure mechanisms that readers need to be aware of, as well as best practices for the design of these electronics. Continuing beyond just the "paper design" of building blocks, the book rounds out coverage of the design realization process with verification techniques and chapters on electronic packaging for extreme environments. The final set of chapters describes actual chip-level designs for applications in energy and space exploration. Requiring only a basic background in electronics, the book combines theoretical and practical aspects in each self-contained chapter. Appendices supply additional background material. With its broad coverage and depth, and the expertise of the contributing authors, this is an invaluable reference for engineers, scientists, and technical managers, as well as researchers and graduate students. A hands-on resource, it explores what is required to successfully operate electronics in the most demanding conditions.

During the past decade direct wafer bonding has developed into a mature materials integration technology. This book presents state-of-the-art reviews of the most important applications of wafer bonding written by experts from industry and academia. The topics include bonding-based fabrication methods of silicon-on-insulator, photonic crystals, VCSELs, SiGe-based FETs, MEMS together with hybrid integration and laser lift-off. The non-specialist will learn about the basics of wafer bonding and its various application areas, while the researcher in the field will find up-to-date information about this fast-moving area, including relevant patent information.