MURLAV: A Multiple-Node-Upset Recovery Latch and Algorithm-Based Verification Method
Aibin Yan, Zhixing Li, Zhongyu Gao, Jin Zhang, Zhengfeng Huang, Tianming Ni, Jie Cui, Xiaolei Wang, Patrick Girard, Xiaoqing Wen
Abstract
In advanced CMOS technologies, integrated circuits are sensitive to multiple-node-upsets (MNUs) induced in harsh radiation environments. The existing verification of the reliability of latches highly relies on electronic design automation (EDA) tools considering complex error-injection scenarios. In this paper, we propose a novel latch, namely MURLAV, protected against quadruple node-upsets (QNUs) induced in harsh radiation environments, as well as an algorithmic error-recovery verification method. The latch provides complete recovery from all QNUs with a formed redundant structure. The algorithm can simplify the verification process and demonstrate the QNU recovery for the proposed MURLAV latch. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed latch can recover from any QNU and that it has lower area and delay overhead. Compared with existing latches of the same type, the proposed MURLAV latch achieves an overhead reduction of 34% in silicon area and 15% in delay on average at the cost of moderate power consumption.