A Computer-Aided System Approach to the Radiation Vulnerability of a Divide by Twenty Counter

A practical approach to modeling large systems in terms of simplified component models is presented. The modeling approach uses a state variable formulation and provides practical techniques for predicting the transient response of large, closed loop systems using presently available computer-aided circuit analysis programs. A simplified terminal model for a J-K flip-flop is developed, and five flip-flop models are used to model a divide by twenty counter. Using the "system" model, the response of the counter in an ionizing radiation environment is determined.