Building a reliable internet core using soft error prone electronics

This paper describes a methodology for building a reliable internet core router that considers the vulnerability of its electronic components to single event upset (SEU). It begins with a set of meaningful system level metrics that can be related to product reliability requirements. A specification is then defined that can be effectively used during the system architecture, silicon and software design process. The system can then be modeled at an early stage to support design decisions and trade-offs related to potentially costly mitigation strategies. The design loop is closed with an accelerated measurement technique using neutron beam irradiation to confirm that the final product meets the specification.