Graduate Student Matthew Breeding of Vanderbilt University delivered this lecture for the Introduction to Radiation Effects Engineering online SCALE course.
Understanding the radiation environment that surrounds geostationary‑orbit (GEO) satellites is essential for guaranteeing the reliability of space‑borne electronics. High‑energy particles can induce single‑event effects, degrade device performance, and ultimately jeopardize mission success. Consequently, accurate characterization of the space radiation field and its interaction with electronic components remains a central concern for aerospace engineers and researchers.
The presentation focuses on the CREME96 code and its Monte‑Carlo counterpart, CREME MC, as quantitative tools for modeling GEO radiation conditions. It demonstrates how to configure CREME96 to generate proton flux spectra as a function of kinetic energy, assuming an isotropic particle distribution at the selected orbital altitude. The discussion clarifies the distinction between differential flux (particles · cm⁻² · s⁻¹ · sr⁻¹ · MeV⁻¹) and integrated fluence, showing how numerical integration of the flux yields the total particle fluence incident on a defined volume. By representing a satellite or integrated circuit as a simple geometric box, the workflow proceeds to calculate event rates, incorporate device‑specific charge‑collection thresholds, and assess the probability of transistor upsets based on the simulated particle environment.
Armed with this knowledge, learners can articulate the radiation environment encountered by GEO satellites and compute both flux and fluence directly from CREME96 output data. They gain the ability to employ CREME96 for predictive modeling of radiation‑induced effects on electronic components, to evaluate event rates and estimate upset probabilities for individual transistors, and to design laboratory experiments that faithfully emulate space‑radiation conditions for component qualification.