Entry requirements

120 credits including Electronics, Analog Electronics and Signals and Systems.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course the student shall be able to:

- assess the influence of the space environment on electronic components

- identify problem sources in analogue componentes

- estimate radiation and charging risks for different satellite orbits

- assess quality and reliability of given components

- do radiation tests for space electronics

- design simple circuits for fundamental functions in satellite systems and space plasma measurements

- select adequate A-to-D converters for different purposes

- estimate electromagnetic compatibility at circuit level

- do "worst-case" circuit analysis with SPICE

Content

The space environment. Effect of ionising radiation on active components. Sources of error in analogue components. Quality and reliability of space electronics. Circuit solutions for fundamental functions in satellite systems and for measurement of space plasma, for instance differential amplifiers, measurement amplifiers with low and high impedance, analogue to digital converters, transmission of analogue and digital signals. EMC at the circuit level. Bootstrapping (positive feedback).

Laboratory work: Total-dose test of analogue and digital circuits in a Co60 radiation source at TSL. Worst-case analysis of circuits by numerical simulations with help of SPICE. Miniproject: Design of a subsystem for measurement of plasma parameters.

Instruction

Lectures, lessons, laboratory work, and miniproject.

Assessment

Written examination at the end of the course (4.5 credits). Passed laboratory work and mini-project is also required (1.5 credits).