The Quad-Path Hardening Technique for Switched-Capacitor Circuits

A novel “quad-path” radiation hardening technique is implemented in a switched-capacitor sample/hold amplifier and validated by laser testing. The proposed technique eliminates the signal-range limitations of the original dual-path hardening technique by using both n- and p-type switches with separate dual and complementary signal paths. Single-event effect sample errors are reduced by up to 90%, with minimal speed, power and area penalties.