@article{SchrapeAndjelkovicBreitenreiteretal.2021,
  author    = {Schrape, Oliver and Andjelkovic, Marko and Breitenreiter, Anselm and Zeidler, Steffen and Balashov, Alexey and Krstić, Miloš},
  title     = {Design and evaluation of radiation-hardened standard cell flip-flops},
  series = {IEEE transactions on circuits and systems : a publication of the IEEE Circuits and Systems Society: 1, Regular papers},
  volume    = {68},
  journal   = {IEEE transactions on circuits and systems : a publication of the IEEE Circuits and Systems Society: 1, Regular papers},
  number    = {11},
  publisher = {Inst. of Electr. and Electronics Engineers},
  address   = {New York, NY},
  issn      = {1549-8328},
  doi       = {10.1109/TCSI.2021.3109080},
  pages     = {4796 -- 4809},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Use of a standard non-rad-hard digital cell library in the rad-hard design can be a cost-effective solution for space applications. In this paper we demonstrate how a standard non-rad-hard flip-flop, as one of the most vulnerable digital cells, can be converted into a rad-hard flip-flop without modifying its internal structure. We present five variants of a Triple Modular Redundancy (TMR) flip-flop: baseline TMR flip-flop, latch-based TMR flip-flop, True-Single Phase Clock (TSPC) TMR flip-flop, scannable TMR flip-flop and self-correcting TMR flipflop. For all variants, the multi-bit upsets have been addressed by applying special placement constraints, while the Single Event Transient (SET) mitigation was achieved through the usage of customized SET filters and selection of optimal inverter sizes for the clock and reset trees. The proposed flip-flop variants feature differing performance, thus enabling to choose the optimal solution for every sensitive node in the circuit, according to the predefined design constraints. Several flip-flop designs have been validated on IHP's 130nm BiCMOS process, by irradiation of custom-designed shift registers. It has been shown that the proposed TMR flip-flops are robust to soft errors with a threshold Linear Energy Transfer (LET) from (32.4 MeV.cm(2)/mg) to (62.5 MeV.cm(2)/mg), depending on the variant.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Schrape2023,
  author    = {Schrape, Oliver},
  title     = {Methodology for standard cell-based design and implementation of reliable and robust hardware systems},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-58932},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-589326},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {xi, 181},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Reliable and robust data processing is one of the hardest requirements for systems in fields such as medicine, security, automotive, aviation, and space, to prevent critical system failures caused by changes in operating or environmental conditions. In particular, Signal Integrity (SI) effects such as crosstalk may distort the signal information in sensitive mixed-signal designs. A challenge for hardware systems used in the space are radiation effects. Namely, Single Event Effects (SEEs) induced by high-energy particle hits may lead to faulty computation, corrupted configuration settings, undesired system behavior, or even total malfunction. Since these applications require an extra effort in design and implementation, it is beneficial to master the standard cell design process and corresponding design flow methodologies optimized for such challenges. Especially for reliable, low-noise differential signaling logic such as Current Mode Logic (CML), a digital design flow is an orthogonal approach compared to traditional manual design. As a consequence, mandatory preliminary considerations need to be addressed in more detail. First of all, standard cell library concepts with suitable cell extensions for reliable systems and robust space applications have to be elaborated. Resulting design concepts at the cell level should enable the logical synthesis for differential logic design or improve the radiation-hardness. In parallel, the main objectives of the proposed cell architectures are to reduce the occupied area, power, and delay overhead. Second, a special setup for standard cell characterization is additionally required for a proper and accurate logic gate modeling. Last but not least, design methodologies for mandatory design flow stages such as logic synthesis and place and route need to be developed for the respective hardware systems to keep the reliability or the radiation-hardness at an acceptable level. This Thesis proposes and investigates standard cell-based design methodologies and techniques for reliable and robust hardware systems implemented in a conventional semi-conductor technology. The focus of this work is on reliable differential logic design and robust radiation-hardening-by-design circuits. The synergistic connections of the digital design flow stages are systematically addressed for these two types of hardware systems. In more detail, a library for differential logic is extended with single-ended pseudo-gates for intermediate design steps to support the logic synthesis and layout generation with commercial Computer-Aided Design (CAD) tools. Special cell layouts are proposed to relax signal routing. A library set for space applications is similarly extended by novel Radiation-Hardening-by-Design (RHBD) Triple Modular Redundancy (TMR) cells, enabling a one fault correction. Therein, additional optimized architectures for glitch filter cells, robust scannable and self-correcting flip-flops, and clock-gates are proposed. The circuit concepts and the physical layout representation views of the differential logic gates and the RHBD cells are discussed. However, the quality of results of designs depends implicitly on the accuracy of the standard cell characterization which is examined for both types therefore. The entire design flow is elaborated from the hardware design description to the layout representations. A 2-Phase routing approach together with an intermediate design conversion step is proposed after the initial place and route stage for reliable, pure differential designs, whereas a special constraining for RHBD applications in a standard technology is presented. The digital design flow for differential logic design is successfully demonstrated on a reliable differential bipolar CML application. A balanced routing result of its differential signal pairs is obtained by the proposed 2-Phase-routing approach. Moreover, the elaborated standard cell concepts and design methodology for RHBD circuits are applied to the digital part of a 7.5-15.5 MSPS 14-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) and a complex microcontroller architecture. The ADC is implemented in an unhardened standard semiconductor technology and successfully verified by electrical measurements. The overhead of the proposed hardening approach is additionally evaluated by design exploration of the microcontroller application. Furthermore, the first obtained related measurement results of novel RHBD-∆TMR flip-flops show a radiation-tolerance up to a threshold Linear Energy Transfer (LET) of 46.1, 52.0, and 62.5 MeV cm2 mg-1 and savings in silicon area of 25-50 \% for selected TMR standard cell candidates. As a conclusion, the presented design concepts at the cell and library levels, as well as the design flow modifications are adaptable and transferable to other technology nodes. In particular, the design of hybrid solutions with integrated reliable differential logic modules together with robust radiation-tolerant circuit parts is enabled by the standard cell concepts and design methods proposed in this work.},
  language  = {en}
}
@book{MeinelGayvoronskayaSchnjakin2018,
  author    = {Meinel, Christoph and Gayvoronskaya, Tatiana and Schnjakin, Maxim},
  title     = {Blockchain},
  number    = {124},
  publisher = {Universit{\"a}tsverlag Potsdam},
  address   = {Potsdam},
  isbn      = {978-3-86956-441-8},
  issn      = {1613-5652},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-414525},
  publisher      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {102},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {The term blockchain has recently become a buzzword, but only few know what exactly lies behind this approach. According to a survey, issued in the first quarter of 2017, the term is only known by 35 percent of German medium-sized enterprise representatives. However, the blockchain technology is very interesting for the mass media because of its rapid development and global capturing of different markets. For example, many see blockchain technology either as an all-purpose weapon— which only a few have access to—or as a hacker technology for secret deals in the darknet. The innovation of blockchain technology is found in its successful combination of already existing approaches: such as decentralized networks, cryptography, and consensus models. This innovative concept makes it possible to exchange values in a decentralized system. At the same time, there is no requirement for trust between its nodes (e.g. users). With this study the Hasso Plattner Institute would like to help readers form their own opinion about blockchain technology, and to distinguish between truly innovative properties and hype. The authors of the present study analyze the positive and negative properties of the blockchain architecture and suggest possible solutions, which can contribute to the efficient use of the technology. We recommend that every company define a clear target for the intended application, which is achievable with a reasonable cost-benefit ration, before deciding on this technology. Both the possibilities and the limitations of blockchain technology need to be considered. The relevant steps that must be taken in this respect are summarized /summed up for the reader in this study. Furthermore, this study elaborates on urgent problems such as the scalability of the blockchain, appropriate consensus algorithm and security, including various types of possible attacks and their countermeasures. New blockchains, for example, run the risk of reducing security, as changes to existing technology can lead to lacks in the security and failures. After discussing the innovative properties and problems of the blockchain technology, its implementation is discussed. There are a lot of implementation opportunities for companies available who are interested in the blockchain realization. The numerous applications have either their own blockchain as a basis or use existing and widespread blockchain systems. Various consortia and projects offer "blockchain-as-a-service{\"a}nd help other companies to develop, test and deploy their own applications. This study gives a detailed overview of diverse relevant applications and projects in the field of blockchain technology. As this technology is still a relatively young and fast developing approach, it still lacks uniform standards to allow the cooperation of different systems and to which all developers can adhere. Currently, developers are orienting themselves to Bitcoin, Ethereum and Hyperledger systems, which serve as the basis for many other blockchain applications. The goal is to give readers a clear and comprehensive overview of blockchain technology and its capabilities.},
  language  = {en}
}
@book{GayvoronskayaMeinelSchnjakin2018,
  author    = {Gayvoronskaya, Tatiana and Meinel, Christoph and Schnjakin, Maxim},
  title     = {Blockchain},
  number    = {113},
  publisher = {Universit{\"a}tsverlag Potsdam},
  address   = {Potsdam},
  isbn      = {978-3-86956-394-7},
  issn      = {1613-5652},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-103141},
  publisher      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {109},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {Der Begriff Blockchain ist in letzter Zeit zu einem Schlagwort geworden, aber nur wenige wissen, was sich genau dahinter verbirgt. Laut einer Umfrage, die im ersten Quartal 2017 ver{\"o}ffentlicht wurde, ist der Begriff nur bei 35 Prozent der deutschen Mittelst{\"a}ndler bekannt. Dabei ist die Blockchain-Technologie durch ihre rasante Entwicklung und die globale Eroberung unterschiedlicher M{\"a}rkte f{\"u}r Massenmedien sehr interessant. So sehen viele die Blockchain-Technologie entweder als eine Allzweckwaffe, zu der aber nur wenige einen Zugang haben, oder als eine Hacker-Technologie f{\"u}r geheime Gesch{\"a}fte im Darknet. Dabei liegt die Innovation der Blockchain-Technologie in ihrer erfolgreichen Zusammensetzung bereits vorhandener Ans{\"a}tze: dezentrale Netzwerke, Kryptographie, Konsensfindungsmodelle. Durch das innovative Konzept wird ein Werte-Austausch in einem dezentralen System m{\"o}glich. Dabei wird kein Vertrauen zwischen dessen Knoten (z.B. Nutzer) vorausgesetzt. Mit dieser Studie m{\"o}chte das Hasso-Plattner-Institut den Lesern helfen, ihren eigenen Standpunkt zur Blockchain-Technologie zu finden und dabei dazwischen unterscheiden zu k{\"o}nnen, welche Eigenschaften wirklich innovativ und welche nichts weiter als ein Hype sind. Die Autoren der vorliegenden Arbeit analysieren positive und negative Eigenschaften, welche die Blockchain-Architektur pr{\"a}gen, und stellen m{\"o}gliche Anpassungs- und L{\"o}sungsvorschl{\"a}ge vor, die zu einem effizienten Einsatz der Technologie beitragen k{\"o}nnen. Jedem Unternehmen, bevor es sich f{\"u}r diese Technologie entscheidet, wird dabei empfohlen, f{\"u}r den geplanten Anwendungszweck zun{\"a}chst ein klares Ziel zu definieren, das mit einem angemessenen Kosten-Nutzen-Verh{\"a}ltnis angestrebt werden kann. Dabei sind sowohl die M{\"o}glichkeiten als auch die Grenzen der Blockchain-Technologie zu beachten. Die relevanten Schritte, die es in diesem Zusammenhang zu beachten gilt, fasst die Studie f{\"u}r die Leser {\"u}bersichtlich zusammen. Es wird ebenso auf akute Fragestellungen wie Skalierbarkeit der Blockchain, geeigneter Konsensalgorithmus und Sicherheit eingegangen, darunter verschiedene Arten m{\"o}glicher Angriffe und die entsprechenden Gegenmaßnahmen zu deren Abwehr. Neue Blockchains etwa laufen Gefahr, geringere Sicherheit zu bieten, da {\"A}nderungen an der bereits bestehenden Technologie zu Schutzl{\"u}cken und M{\"a}ngeln f{\"u}hren k{\"o}nnen. Nach Diskussion der innovativen Eigenschaften und Probleme der Blockchain-Technologie wird auf ihre Umsetzung eingegangen. Interessierten Unternehmen stehen viele Umsetzungsm{\"o}glichkeiten zur Verf{\"u}gung. Die zahlreichen Anwendungen haben entweder eine eigene Blockchain als Grundlage oder nutzen bereits bestehende und weitverbreitete Blockchain-Systeme. Zahlreiche Konsortien und Projekte bieten „Blockchain-as-a-Service" an und unterst{\"u}tzen andere Unternehmen beim Entwickeln, Testen und Bereitstellen von Anwendungen. Die Studie gibt einen detaillierten {\"U}berblick {\"u}ber zahlreiche relevante Einsatzbereiche und Projekte im Bereich der Blockchain-Technologie. Dadurch, dass sie noch relativ jung ist und sich schnell entwickelt, fehlen ihr noch einheitliche Standards, die Zusammenarbeit der verschiedenen Systeme erlauben und an die sich alle Entwickler halten k{\"o}nnen. Aktuell orientieren sich Entwickler an Bitcoin-, Ethereum- und Hyperledger-Systeme, diese dienen als Grundlage f{\"u}r viele weitere Blockchain-Anwendungen. Ziel ist, den Lesern einen klaren und umfassenden {\"U}berblick {\"u}ber die Blockchain-Technologie und deren M{\"o}glichkeiten zu vermitteln.},
  language  = {de}
}