SEE evaluation of digital analog converters for space applications

SEE cross-sections were obtained for four different digital to analog converters (DACs). The different types of DAC tested were: the Analog Devices DAC8420, the Analog Devices AD768, the Maxim MAX539, and the Xicor X9C503. Both of the Analog Devices DACs and the Maxim part were seen to be immune to latch-up, not latching even at 120 MeV-cm/sup 2//mg. The Xicor part did latch-up with a threshold of 25 MeV-cm/sup 2//mg. Both Analog Devices DACs had clocked inputs which when constantly clocked rendered the device immune to SEU on the output line. The Xicor DAC had no clock option or function. All four devices had thresholds around 5 MeV-cm/sup 2//Mg for output SEU.