SIST EN 60749-44:2017

Semiconductor devices - Mechanical and climatic test methods - Part 44: Neutron beam irradiated single event effect (SEE) test method for semiconductor devices (IEC 60749-44:2016)

IEC 60749-44:2016 establishes a procedure for measuring the single event effects (SEEs) on high density integrated circuit semiconductor devices including data retention capability of semiconductor devices with memory when subjected to atmospheric neutron radiation produced by cosmic rays. The single event effects sensitivity is measured while the device is irradiated in a neutron beam of known flux. This test method can be applied to any type of integrated circuit.
NOTE 1 - Semiconductor devices under high voltage stress can be subject to single event effects including SEB, single event burnout and SEGR single event gate rupture, for this subject which is not covered in this document, please refer to IEC 62396-4.
NOTE 2 - In addition to the high energy neutrons some devices can have a soft error rate due to low energy (<1 eV) thermal neutrons. For this subject which is not covered in this document, please refer to IEC 62396-5.

Halbleiterbauelemente - Mechanische und klimatische Prüfverfahren - Teil 44: Prüfverfahren zur Einzelereignis-Effekt-Neutronenbestrahlung von Halbleiterbauelementen

Dispositifs à semiconducteurs - Méthodes d'essais mécaniques et climatiques - Partie 44: Méthode d'essai des effets d'un événement isolé (SEE) irradié par un faisceau de neutrons pour des dispositifs à semiconducteurs

L'IEC 60749-44:2016 établit une procédure pour mesurer les effets d'un événement isolé (SEE: Single Event Effect) sur des dispositifs à semiconducteurs pour circuits intégrés haute densité incluant l'aptitude des dispositifs à semiconducteurs à mémoire à conserver les données lorsqu'ils sont soumis à un rayonnement neutronique atmosphérique produit par des rayons cosmiques. La sensibilité des effets d'un événement isolé est mesurée pendant que le dispositif est irradié par un faisceau de neutrons dont le flux est connu. Cette méthode d'essai peut être appliquée à n'importe quel type de circuit intégré.
NOTE 1 - Les dispositifs à semiconducteurs soumis à des contraintes de tension élevée peuvent être sujets aux effets d'un événement isolé, y compris un événement isolé de claquage (SEB: Single Event Burnout) et un événement isolé de claquage de grille (SEGR: Single Event Gate Rupture). Se reporter à l'IEC 62396-4 pour plus d'informations sur ce phénomène qui n'est pas couvert par le présent document.
NOTE 2 - Outre les neutrons d'énergie élevée, certains dispositifs peuvent avoir un taux d'erreurs logicielles en raison des neutrons thermiques de faible énergie (<1 eV). Se reporter à l'IEC 62396-5  pour plus d'informations sur ce phénomène qui n'est pas couvert par le présent document.

Polprevodniški elementi - Metode za mehansko in klimatsko preskušanje - 44. del: Metoda za preskušanje učinka enkratnega dogodka z obsevanjem z nevtronskim snopom (IEC 60749-44:2016)

Ta del standarda IEC 60749 vzpostavlja postopek za merjenje učinkov enkratnih dogodkov (SEE) na goste polprevodniške elemente na integriranih vezjih, vključno z zmožnostjo hranjenja podatkov polprevodniških elementov s pomnilnikom, ko so izpostavljeni atmosferskemu obsevanju z nevtroni, ki ga povzročajo kozmični žarki. Občutljivost na enkratne dogodke se meri, ko se element obseva z nevtronskim žarkom z znanim pretokom. To preskusno metodo je mogoče uporabiti za katerokoli vrsto integriranega vezja.
OPOMBA 1: polprevodniški elementi pod visokonapetostnimi obremenitvami so lahko izpostavljeni enkratnim dogodkom, vključno z enkratno pregoritvijo (SEB) in enkratnim zlomom vrat (SEGR). Za to tematiko, ki ni obravnavana v tem dokumentu, glejte standard IEC 62396-4 [2].
OPOMBA 2: na pogostnost napak pri nekaterih elementih lahko poleg visokoenergijskih nevtronov vplivajo tudi nizkoenergijski (<1 eV) termalni nevtroni. Za to tematiko, ki ni obravnavana v tem dokumentu, glejte standard IEC 62396-5 [3].

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 04-Dec-2016
• ICS: 31.080.01 - Semiconductor devices in general
• Technical Committee: I11 - Imaginarni 11
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 26-Oct-2016
• Due Date: 31-Dec-2016
• Completion Date: 05-Dec-2016
• Ref Project: EN 60749-44:2016 - Semiconductor devices - Mechanical and climatic test methods - Part 44: Neutron beam irradiated single event effect (SEE) test method for semiconductor devices

Relations

• Referred By: SIST EN 62047-4:2010 - Semiconductor devices - Micro-electromechanical devices - Part 4: Generic specification for MEMS (IEC 62047-4:2008)
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2026

Overview

SIST EN 60749-44:2017 defines the standardized test method for evaluating single event effects (SEE) in semiconductor devices, specifically by exposing integrated circuits to neutron beam irradiation. The SEE test method outlined is essential for measuring the susceptibility of modern, high-density integrated circuits, including those with memory, to neutron radiation generated by atmospheric cosmic rays. The procedure provides an objective way to assess and quantify SEE sensitivity while a device is irradiated by a neutron beam of known flux, ensuring consistent and reliable results across the electronics industry.

This standard is particularly relevant for manufacturers, suppliers, and users involved with the reliability and qualification of semiconductor devices destined for applications exposed to terrestrial neutron radiation, such as avionics, automotive, industrial control, and data center environments.

Key Topics

• Scope of Testing: Applies to all types of integrated circuits, including memory and logic devices, subjected to neutron radiation.
• Test Apparatus Requirements:
  • Equipment must detect and count SEE occurrences, both soft and hard errors, during irradiation.
  • Radiation source must emulate the spectrum of terrestrial cosmic rays with precise monitoring and shielding.
• Test Procedure:
  • Devices are irradiated under specified electrical and environmental conditions.
  • Data patterns, device voltage, and core cycle time are carefully controlled and documented.
  • Multiple samples are required to account for variability; precise neutron fluence calculations ensure test validity.
• SEE Types Evaluated: Includes single event upset (SEU), multiple cell upset (MCU), multiple bit upset (MBU), as well as soft and hard errors.
• Evaluation and Reporting:
  • Calculation of failure rates and cross-sections for various error types.
  • Detailed reporting includes device characteristics, test conditions, observed upsets, and environmental parameters.

Note: Effects under high voltage stress (SEB, SEGR) and low-energy thermal neutron effects are covered by other referenced IEC standards.

Applications

• Reliability Assessment: Critical for industries where electronic device reliability under natural radiation is essential, such as aerospace, defense, automotive, and energy sectors.
• Device Qualification: Used in qualification programs to ensure that integrated circuits meet minimum reliability requirements under neutron exposure before deployment in mission-critical and safety-related systems.
• Design Improvement: Assists engineers in identifying components susceptible to SEE, guiding robust hardware design and error mitigation strategies (e.g., ECC implementation).
• Benchmarking: Enables semiconductor manufacturers to compare device performance and SEE immunity across technology nodes and product lines.

Related Standards

For comprehensive evaluation of semiconductor device reliability against radiation effects, the following standards are relevant:

• IEC 62396-4: Procedures for evaluating devices under high voltage stress (SEB, SEGR).
• IEC 62396-5: Addresses soft error rates due to low-energy (<1 eV) thermal neutrons.
• IEC 60749-38: Non-accelerated, real-time soft error test methods.
• EN 60749 Series: Cover additional mechanical and climatic test methods for semiconductor devices.

Practical Value

Implementing SIST EN 60749-44:2017 helps organizations:

• Reduce field failures due to radiation-induced errors by selecting and qualifying robust semiconductor devices.
• Standardize test methodologies across global supply chains, facilitating product comparisons and procurement.
• Comply with regulatory and industry reliability standards, enhancing customer confidence in electronic systems deployed in harsh or high-altitude environments.

By serving as a core reference for neutron-induced SEE testing, this standard plays a key role in safeguarding the long-term reliability and safety of electronic systems worldwide.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-januar-2017
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Semiconductor devices - Mechanical and climatic test methods - Part 44: Neutron beam
irradiated single event effect (SEE) test method for semiconductor devices (IEC 60749-
44:2016)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 60749-44:2016
ICS:
31.080.01 Polprevodniški elementi Semiconductor devices in
(naprave) na splošno general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 60749-44

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
October 2016
ICS 31.080.01
English Version
Semiconductor devices - Mechanical and climatic test methods -
Part 44: Neutron beam irradiated single event effect (SEE) test
method for semiconductor devices
(IEC 60749-44:2016)
Dispositifs à semiconducteurs - Méthodes d'essais Halbleiterbauelemente - Mechanische und klimatische
mécaniques et climatiques - Partie 44: Méthode d'essai des Prüfverfahren - Teil 44: Prüfverfahren zur Einzelereignis-
effets d'un événement isolé (SEE) irradié par un faisceau Effekt-Neutronenbestrahlung von Halbleiterbauelementen
de neutrons pour des dispositifs à semiconducteurs (IEC 60749-44:2016)
(IEC 60749-44:2016)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2016-08-25. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC
Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the United Kingdom.

European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2016 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN 60749-44:2016 E
European foreword
The text of document 47/2303/FDIS, future edition 1 of IEC 60749-44, prepared by
IEC/TC 47 "Semiconductor devices" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and approved
by CENELEC as EN 60749-44:2016.

The following dates are fixed:
(dop) 2017-05-25
• latest date by which the document has to be
implemented at national level by
publication of an identical national
standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national (dow) 2019-08-25
standards conflicting with the
document have to be withdrawn
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC [and/or CEN] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such
patent rights.
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard EC 60749-44:2016 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.
In the official version, for Bibliography, the following note has to be added for the standard indicated :

IEC 60749-38 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60749-38.
IEC 60749-44 ®
Edition 1.0 2016-07
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Semiconductor devices – Mechanical and climatic test methods –

Part 44: Neutron beam irradiated single event effect (SEE) test method for

semiconductor devices
Dispositifs à semiconducteurs – Méthodes d'essais mécaniques et climatiques –

Partie 44: Méthode d'essai des effets d'un événement isolé (SEE) irradié par un

faisceau de neutrons pour des dispositifs à semiconducteurs

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 31.080.01 ISBN 978-2-8322-3541-6

– 2 – IEC 60749-44:2016 © IEC 2016
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references. 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Test apparatus . 9
4.1 Measurement equipment . 9
4.2 Radiation source . 10
4.3 Test sample . 10
5 Procedure neutron irradiated soft error test . 10
5.1 Surface preparation . 10
5.2 Power supply voltage . 10
5.3 Ambient temperature . 11
5.4 Core cycle time . 11
5.5 Data pattern . 11
5.6 Number of measurement samples . 11
5.7 Calculations for time required in the beam . 11
6 Evaluation . 11
6.1 Measurement and failure rate estimation . 11
6.2 Determination of MCU and MBU cross sections . 12
6.3 Determination of device FIT (event rate) from cross section . 12
7 Summary . 12
Annex A (informative) Additional information for the applicable procurement
specification . 13
A.1 General . 13
A.2 Description of the beam source . 13
A.3 Description of the sample and test vehicle . 13
A.3.1 Sample size . 13
A.3.2 Vehicle description . 13
A.4 Test description . 14
A.5 Test results . 14
Annex B (informative) White neutron test apparatus . 16
Annex C (informative) Failure rate calculation . 18
C.1 An influence of soft error for actual semiconductor devices . 18
C.1.1 General . 18
C.1.2 Duty derating . 18
C.1.3 Utility derating . 18
C.1.4 Critically derating . 19
C.2 Failure rate calculation including derating . 19
Bibliography . 20

Figure B.1 – Typical white neutron spectra with different shield (polyethylene)
thickness . 16
Figure B.2 – Typical neutron spectrum . 17
Figure B.3 – Comparison of LANSCE (WNR) and TRIUMF neutron spectra with
terrestrial neutron spectrum . 17

IEC 60749-44:2016 © IEC 2016 – 3 –
Figure C.1 – Schematic image of duty derating . 18
Figure C.2 – Schematic image of memory effective area for utility derating . 19

– 4 – IEC 60749-44:2016 © IEC 2016
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES –
MECHANICAL AND CLIMATIC TEST METHODS –

Part 44: Neutron beam irradiated single event effect (SEE)
test method for semiconductor devices

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
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8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 60749-44 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 47:
Semiconductor devices.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
47/2303/FDIS 47/2312/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.

IEC 60749-44:2016 © IEC 2016 – 5 –
A list of all the parts in the IEC 60749 series, published under the general title Semiconductor
devices – Mechanical and climatic test methods, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data
related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct
understanding of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a
colour printer.
– 6 – IEC 60749-44:2016 © IEC 2016
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES –
MECHANICAL AND CLIMATIC TEST METHODS –

Part 44: Neutron beam irradiated single event effect (SEE)
test method for semiconductor devices

1 Scope
This part of IEC 60749 establishes a procedure for measuring the single event effects (SEEs)
on high density integrated circuit semiconductor devices including data retention capability of
semiconductor devices with memory when subjected to atmospheric neutron radiation produced
by cosmic rays. The single event effects sensitivity is measured while the device is irradiated in a
neutron beam of known flux. This test method can be applied to any type of integrated circuit.
NOTE 1 Semiconductor devices under high voltage stress can be subject to single event effects including SEB,
single event burnout and SEGR single event gate rupture, for this subject which is not covered in this document,
please refer to IEC 62396-4 [2].
NOTE 2 In addition to the high energy neutrons some devices can have a soft error rate due to low energy (<1 eV)
thermal neutrons. For this subject which is not covered in this document, please refer to IEC 62396-5 [3].
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and
are indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
None.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
critical charge
Qcrit
smallest charge that will cause a SEE if injected or deposited in the sensitive volume
3.2
single-event upset
SEU
in a semiconductor device when the radiation absorbed by the device is sufficient to change a
cell’s logic state
Note 1 to entry: After a new write cycle, the original state can be recovered.
3.3
multiple bit upset
MBU
energy deposited in the silicon of an electronic component by a single ionising particle
causing more than one bit in the same word to be upset
Note 1 to entry: The definition of MBU has been updated due to the introduction of the definition of MCU.

IEC 60749-44:2016 © IEC 2016 – 7 –
3.4
multiple cell upset
MCU
energy deposited in the silicon of an electronic component by a single ionising particle
inducinges several bits in an integrated circuit (IC) to be upset at one time
3.5
soft error
erroneous output signal from a latch or memory cell that can be corrected by performing one
or more normal functions of the device containing the latch or memory cell
Note 1 to entry: As commonly used, the term refers to an error caused by radiation or electromagnetic pulses and
not to an error associated with a physical defect introduced during the manufacturing process.
Note 2 to entry: Soft errors can be generated from SEU, SEFI, MBU, MCU, and or SET. The term SER has been
adopted by the commercial industry while the more specific terms SEU, SEFI, etc. are typically used by the
avionics, space and military electronics communities.
Note 3 to entry: The term “soft error” was first introduced (for DRAMs and ICs) by May and Woods of Intel in their
April 1978 paper at the IRPS and the term “single event upset” was introduced by Guenzer, Wolicki and Allas of
NRL in their 1979 NSREC paper (SEU of DRAMs by neutrons and protons).
3.6
single event effect
SEE
response of a component caused by the impact of a single energetic particle
Note 1 to entry: Examples of energetic particle include galactic cosmic rays, solar energetic particles, energetic
neutrons and protons
Note 2 to entry: The range of responses can include both non-destructive (for example upset) and destructive (for
example latch-up or gate rupture) phenomena.
3.7
single-event hard error
SHE
single event induced hard error
irreversible change in operation from a single radiation event that is typically associated with
permanent damage to one or more of the device elements
Note 1 to entry: Examples include permanently stuck-bit in the device and gate oxide rupture.
3.8
soft error, power cycle
PCSE
soft error that is not corrected by repeated reading or writing but can be corrected by the
removal of power
3.9
flux
time rate of flow of particle energy emitted from or incident on a surface,
divided by the area of that surface
Note 1 to entry: The flux is usually expressed in particles per square centimetre second (N/cm s) or particles per
square centimetre hour (N/cm h).
3.10
soft error rate
SER
rate at which soft errors are occurring

– 8 – IEC 60749-44:2016 © IEC 2016
3.11
failure in time
FIT
failure in 10 device-hours
3.12
firm fault
failure that cannot be reset other than by rebooting the system or by cycling the power to the
relevant functional element
3.13
hard fault
at the aircraft function level, permanent failure of a component within an LRU
Note 1 to entry: A hard fault results in the removal of the LRU affected and the replacement of the permanently
damaged component before a system/system architecture can be restored to full functionality. Such a fault can
impact the value for the MTBF of the LRU repaired.
3.14
single event burnout
SEB
burnout of a powered electronic component or part thereof as a result of the energy
absorption triggered by an individual radiation event
3.15
single event functional interrupt
SEFI
occurrence of an upset, usually in a complex device, such that a control path is corrupted,
leading the part to cease to function properly
Note 1 to entry: Examples of a complex device include microprocessors.
Note 2 to entry: This effect has sometimes been referred to as lockup, indicating that sometimes the part can be
put into a “frozen” state.
3.16
single event gate rupture
SEGR
event in the gate of a powered insulated gate component when the radiation charge absorbed
by the device is sufficient to cause gate rupture, which is destructive
3.17
single event latch up
SEL
event in a four layer semiconductor device when the radiation absorbed by the device is
sufficient to cause a node within the powered semiconductor device to be held in a fixed state
whatever input is applied until the device is de-powered
Note 1 to entry: Such latch up can be destructive or non-destructive
3.18
single event transient
SET
momentary voltage excursion (voltage spike) at a node in an integrated circuit caused by a
single energetic particle strike
Note 1 to entry: The specific terms ASET analogue single event transient and DSET digital single event transient
can be used.
IEC 60749-44:2016 © IEC 2016 – 9 –
3.19
analogue single event transient
ASET
spurious signal or voltage produced at the output of an analogue device by the deposition of
charge by a single particle
3.20
digital single event transient
DSET
spurious digital signal or voltage, induced by the deposition of charge by a single particle that
can propagate through the circuit path during one clock cycle
3.21
multiple bit upset
MBU
energy deposited in the sil
...