Radiation Testing of Electronics Systems: How Can Simulation Tools Help in the Definition and Optimization of Test Plans in Labs?

On-board space systems are exposed to harsh environmental conditions including radiations, extreme temperatures and high-vacuum… Each component of this space environment, either separately or in synergy, induces short or long term degradation of electronics or materials, thereby impacting reliability. The wide diversity of observed disruptions, potential anomalies (and therefore of their underlying physical-chemical mechanisms) and the large set of technologies involved require the development of modeling tools to support experimentation, in order to achieve a representative simulation of device response and a reliable prediction of the life, as well as to limit ground testing.