An estimate of the FPGA sensitivity to effects of single nuclear particles

The sensitivity estimation method from effects of single functional upsets of FPGAs under actions of single nuclear particles, which consists in the experimental estimation of the cross section of single upsets of the configuration memory cell and in the calculated estimation of the cross section of the functional upset of the unit, is presented. The method is intended to reduce the scope of experimental investigations by optimizing the functional implementation of the unit. It is shown that the FPGA sensitivity to effects of single functional upsets significantly depends on the unit implemented in it.