Sequential state elements radiation hardened by design

US9054688B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS, A BODY CORPORATE OF THE STATE OF ARIZONA ACTING FOR AND ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY · US

Inventors

• Lawrence T. Clark · Phoenix, US
• Sandeep Shambhulingaiah · Tempe, US
• Sushil Kumar · Center Valley, US
• Chandarasekaran Ramamurthy · Chandler, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 19, 2013
• Grant date: Jun 9, 2015
• Expiry date: Sep 19, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H03K3/35606
• WIPO field: Basic communication processes
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

This disclosure relates generally to sequential state elements (SSEs). More specifically, embodiments of flip-flops are disclosed, along with computerized methods and systems of designing the same. In one embodiment, the flip-flop includes a substrate and subcircuits that are formed on the substrate. The subcircuits provide subfunctions, wherein each of the subcircuits provides at least one of the subfunctions. More specifically, the subfunctions are provided in a sequential logical order by the subcircuits so that the flip-flop provides a flip-flop function. However, the subcircuits are interleaved out of the sequential logical order with respect to a corresponding subfunction provided by each of the subcircuits along a vector defined by the substrate. In this manner, interleaving the subcircuits along the vector of the substrate can provide separation between charge collection nodes without requiring increases in size. Thus, the flip-flop can be more compact and less expensive to manufacture.