Resistance of drones to damage from neutron radiation

Analysis of the malfunction rate (SEE) due to neutrons present at sea level and at high altitude, and identification of mitigation procedures in commercial components (Commercial Off The Shelf-COTS) have been performed by a UTV team from NAST Centre and Department of Physics.

The transient events of incorrect power supply, induced by fast neutrons, have been characterized in a voltage regulator used in commercial drones operating at low altitude. The regulator has been characterized, both by irradiation with fast neutrons and in the absence of irradiation, at the ISIS@MACH laboratories and the VESUVIO and ChipIr beam lines at ISIS.