Abstract: Techniques to compensate non-radiation hardened components for changes or degradation in performance that result from exposure to radiation. During testing and modeling phase, a component's performance may be characterized as a result of the exposure to radiation. In some examples, some performance characteristics, such as voltage response, frequency response, gain, leakage or other characteristics, may change as the component's exposure to an amount of radiation increases. During normal operation, a system may include one or more devices that measure the amount of radiation to which the system may be subjected, such as a radiation dosimeter. The system may compensate the non-radiation hardened component based on the amount of radiation received the known component performance change caused by radiation as determined during the modeling phase.

Abstract: Techniques to compensate non-radiation hardened components for changes or degradation in performance that result from exposure to radiation. During testing and modeling phase, a component's performance may be characterized as a result of the exposure to radiation. In some examples, some performance characteristics, such as voltage response, frequency response, gain, leakage or other characteristics, may change as the component's exposure to an amount of radiation increases. During normal operation, a system may include one or more devices that measure the amount of radiation to which the system may be subjected, such as a radiation dosimeter. The system may compensate the non-radiation hardened component based on the amount of radiation received the known component performance change caused by radiation as determined during the modeling phase.

Abstract: Techniques to compensate non-radiation hardened components for changes in performance that result from exposure to radiation. The techniques of this disclosure apply a predetermined bias signal to a representative non-radiation hardened component while a system is in use. The system determines whether there is a performance change in characteristics, such as voltage response, frequency response, gain, or other characteristics. The system may determine a compensation factor that may restore the desired signal output from the component. The system may compensate a second identical component that is in use in the system with the compensation factor. The component receiving the predetermined bias signal acts as a characterization dosimeter of the component in use in the system. A number of radiation vulnerable components may be characterized simultaneously with exact representative parts. The system may compensate identical component in use in the system with the appropriate compensation factor for each.

Abstract: A method for mitigating harmful radiation effects on at least one electrical component are disclosed. In a first preferred embodiment, power drawn by the electrical component, such as a GPS receiver, is monitored and compensated by an offset for expected variations due to temperature. When current drawn by the GPS receiver is higher than expected during operation at a given temperature, power to the electrical component is interrupted. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, a second preferred embodiment includes monitoring communications from the GPS receiver. When communications cease or fall below an acceptable level for a predetermined period of time, power to the electrical component is interrupted.