A Model for Microcontroller Functionality Upset Induced by External Pulsed Electromagnetic Irradiation

Abstract

We present a model that provides predictions for the occurrence of disruptive deviations of signal line activity in and consequent malfunction of a microcontroller (microC) subjected to external irradiation by a narrowband electromagnetic (EM) pulse. In our model, the state of a microC is completely specified by giving, for each of its relevant signal lines, the signal pulse train (SPT) time history on the line during any fixed but arbitrary time window of interest. The occurrence of such disruptive deviations is observed experimentally to behave stochastically in at least some EM pulse frequency regimes for example, in the radio frequency (RF) regime and our model provides predictions for the probability of such disruptions based upon all relevant characteristics of the EM pulse and of the microC SPTs. In the present paper we focus our attention on signals traversing a single microC signal line.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 21, 2016
Accession Number
AD1031325

Entities

People

  • David Dietz
  • Timothy J. Clarke

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Application Software
  • Circuit Boards
  • Circuits
  • Electromagnetic Compatibility
  • Electromagnetic Interference
  • Electronics
  • Frequency
  • Government Procurement
  • Governments
  • High Power Microwaves
  • Integrated Circuits
  • Microcontrollers
  • Probability
  • Radio Frequency
  • Time Intervals

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Optical Fiber Sensing and Electromagnetic Propagation.
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.