Abstract :
Two semicustom CMOS signal gate arrays are described which have been developed for the Energetic Particles: Acceleration, Composition, and Transport (EPACT) experiment. The first device, the event counters: 16*24-b (EC1624), implements sixteen 24-b ripple counters and has flexible counting and readout options. The second device, the serial transmitter/receiver (SXR), is a multi-personality chip that can be used at either end of a serial, synchronous communications data link. It can be configured as a master in a central control unit, or as one of many slaves within remote assemblies. Together, a network of SXRs allows for commanding and verifying distributed control signals. Both gate arrays are radiation hardened and qualified for space flight use. The architecture of each chip is presented, and the benefits to the experiment are summarized.<>
Keywords :
CMOS integrated circuits; aerospace instrumentation; application specific integrated circuits; counting circuits; data communication equipment; integrated logic circuits; logic arrays; radiation hardening (electronics); CMOS gate arrays; EC1624; EPACT experiment; central control; distributed control signals; event counters; multi-personality chip; radiation hardened chip; ripple counters; semicustom CMOS signal gate arrays; serial transmitter/receiver; space flight; synchronous communications data link; Clocks; Counting circuits; Instruments; Integrated circuit measurements; Laboratories; Logic arrays; Pins; Pulse measurements; Radiation detectors; Telescopes;
