Characterization of single-event upsets in a flash analog-to-digital converter (AD9058)

Single-event upsets were observed in a flash analog-to-digital converter (AD9058) included as part of a radiation effects experiment on board a satellite. The origins of the upsets were identified using a pulsed laser and confirmed by exposing the AD9058 to both heavy ions and protons at accelerator facilities. The salient result of this work is that the single-event-upset cross-section depends on the value of the analog input but does not appear to depend on clock frequency. Therefore, using a single value for the analog input during ground testing may give an incorrect estimate of the error rate expected during operation in space where the input can vary over the full voltage range.