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COTS components

The application of laser SEE testing as a new radiation effects validation and screening technique for COTS components

  • Posted by Richard Sharp
  • On December 3, 2019
  • 0
Pulsed lasers are excellent tools for the rapid screening of large numbers of parts, whether simply for latch-up or for more detailed SEE investigations. Package preparation is simpler than for heavy ion testing as no die thinning is required. Both front-side (wire-bonded devices) and back-side (flip chips) lasing can be applied. The ability to lay down very large arrays of, e.g. 10,000 laser spots under automatic control with a precision of 1 micron gives the advantages of microbeam and broad beam testing in one system. Device manufacturers can use the technique to identify sensitive areas on a die at an early stage in the design process, saving time to market and reducing costs.
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COTS components

Guidelines for using COTS Components

  • Posted by Ferdinando Tonicello
  • On December 3, 2019
  • 0
The presentation will address the application of COTS components and modules in modules, equipment or subsystems of different criticality categories for ESA institutional missions. The work has been performed by a dedicated ESA working group, including a pool of experts in different technological and application domains (material and processes, components, radiation aspects, electrical applications both at subsystem and system level).
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COTS components

Experience with COTS components on ADPMS unit (PROBA satellites)

  • Posted by Steven De Cuyper
  • On December 3, 2019
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Two decades ago the development started at QinetiQ Space of the ADPMS (Advanced Data and Power Management System), the combined on-board computer and power distribution system for ESAs next generation of PROBA satellites after the successful launch of PROBA-I. Due to performance requirements, space constraints and limited availability of space grade parts at that time, several COTS component were used in the design, ranging from simple passives to SRAM and FLASH memory devices. Today, with a flight heritage of the ADPMS for a combined 16 years in orbit on Proba-II and Proba-V and with two ADPMS units flight-ready for the Proba-III formation flying mission a lot of experience and lessons learned can be shared about the use of the COTS components. Topics addressed vary from up-screening and subsequent re-lifing challenges to radiation testing, assembly and in flight performance.
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COTS components

Outgassing of space materials, screening tests for COTS components

  • Posted by Alejandro Herrera
  • On December 3, 2019
  • 0
Materials and components used for the manufacture of the spacecraft systems, must be able to withstand the damaging environmental conditions of space during their operation, in the specific mission for which they are designed. Outgassing, physical phenomenon known as the gradual release of volatile molecular compounds from a material or surface, due to the exposure to the extreme vacuum of the outer space environment, and accelerated with temperature increase, can lead to the damage and degradation of spacecraft component and instrument performance, endangering the mission success.
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COTS components

Radiation characterization and functional verification of COTS components

  • Posted by Michael Steffens
  • On December 3, 2019
  • 0
In the scope of the GSTP program, Fraunhofer INT will perform radiation tests and functional verification tests on COTS components under contract of the European Space Agency. It’s key points are twofold: First it’s to identify and test available COTS components whose functionality or properties would greatly benefit the space community. This will make use of the so-called spin-in approach.
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COTS components

Radiation Screening of COTS Components and Verification of COTS RHA Approach

  • Posted by Peter Beck
  • On December 3, 2019
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Space industry is changing very fast since the last few years. With the explosion of the information society a lot of new players have come into the space market. Thanks to them, customers are demanding better specifications and lower prices. This situation is pushing most of the companies to explore new ways of making satellites. When it comes to components, traditional rad-hard parts are progressively been replaced by commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) ones in a lot of applications. In order to have an excellent time performance in the Single Event Latch up (SEL) tests, a lowcost and high-flexibility testing unit has been developed by Thales Alenia Space in Spain called CLARK (Control de Latch up Ajustable y Regulable para Kits de Evaluación).
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COTS components, COTS, New Space, LEO Constellations

CSAM Techniques for COTS Validation

  • Posted by Francisco Javier Aparicio Rebollo
  • On December 3, 2019
  • 0
The introduction of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) parts in the military industry paved the way for the use of plastic encapsulated systems in spacecraft systems. Thus, nowadays such components are experiencing a growing use in space applications. However, there are severe risks inherent to these types of packages. These are mainly related to the lack of hermeticity and the CTE mismatch with the internal inorganics parts and can lead to catastrophic failures such as popcorn cracking, metallic smearing on die surface, corrosion, wire bond cuts, and others. Such anomalies are typically related to the presence of interface delamination, voids in the moulding compound, and cracks within the system. In this context Scanning Acoustic Microscopy has proved to be a very effective way for the non-destructive inspection, screening and failure analysis of plastic encapsulated EEE part. The present communication will report on the critical role that this this tool play to assure the suitable performance of the system and to early detect future functional failures.
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