R

R&R

Repeatability and Reproducibility.

race condition

The situation arising when inputs to a gate traverse parallel, but different, circuit paths. Differing path delays can result in unpredictable signal arrival times at a gate, and uncertain transition time for the output of the gate.

rad

Specifies the amount of energy transferred to a material by ionizing radiation. One rad is equal to the energy of 100 ergs per gram of material. The material must be specified, because the energy differs with each material. 1 rad-Si=100 ergs/grams of silicon.

rad-hard

RADiation HARDened. See radiation hardened circuit.

radiation hardened circuit

Integrated circuit that has been manufactured with special devices and isolation techniques such that when exposed to heavy radiation it remains operational. Conventional circuits will short out under such conditions because the radiation generates electrical currents inside the semiconductor material. Radiation hardened circuits are one of Intersil's core competencies, and Intersil is the recognized leader in the rad-hard market.

rad-hard: strategic

Terminology used to describe products or programs that must be capable of surviving and operating in very high levels of radiation, including high total dose, high dose rate, and SEU (single-event-upset) environments. Circuits requiring in excess of 1000k rads-Si are considered strategic rad hard. See SEU.

rad-hard: tactical

Terminology used to describe products or programs that must be capable of surviving and operating in medium levels of radiation, usually total-dose environments. Circuits requiring up to 50k rads-Si are considered tactical rad hard.

RAM

Random-Access Memory. A memory that may be written to, or read from any address location in any sequence. Also called a read/write memory. Random access in the sense of providing access to any storage location in the memory. Stores digital bits temporarily and can be rapidly changed as required. RAM constitutes the basic read/write storage element in computers. See DRAM and SRAM.

R_DS(on)

The resistance between drain and source of a forward-biased power MOSFET at a specified drain current and gate voltage. Intersil MegaFETS have on-resistance values as low as 10 milliohms. See also MegaFET, power MOSFET, and R(on).

real-time operation

Data processing technique in which information is utilized as events occur and the information is generated, as opposed to batch processing at a time unrelated to the time the information was generated.

rectifier

A device that converts alternating current into direct current. See diode.

reticle

A photomask used in a stepper. See mask, photolithography and stepper.

RHD1

An advanced Intersil wafer process that will support high-speed 256k rad-hard SRAMS. The process features 0.8µm feature size and SIMOX substrates. This process is expected to extend Intersil's technology lead in rad-hard CMOS beyond that currently provided by TSOS4. See SIMOX, SRAMS, and TSOS4.

RISC

Reduced Instruction Set Computer (or Chip). A type of processor architecture that processes programs more quickly than conventional microprocessors because it uses a smaller, less complex set of instructions. Compare CISC.

ROM

Read-Only Memory. A memory in which the binary information located at each address is fixed and cannot be changed subsequently. Permanently stores information repeatedly used, such as tables of data, characters for electronic displays, etc. In its virgin state, the ROM consists of a mosaic of undifferentiated cells. One type of ROM is programmed by mask pattern as part of the last fabrication stage. Another popular type known as PROM, is programmable in the field with the aid of programmer equipment. Programmed data stored in ROMs are often called firmware. Compare EPROM.

R(on)

on-Resistance. The output resistance of a power switching device when it is forward biased to the fully "on" or conducting state. Especially important in high-current switches, where the voltage drop across the power device must be minimized. In a power MOSFET, R(on) is the same as R_DS(on). See R_DS(on).

RTX

Real-Time EXpress. A specialized 16-bit microcontroller developed by Intersil for custom, real-time embedded data processing applications, primarily military. See microcontroller.

rugged, ruggedized

A term associated with MOSFETs or IGBTs that are designed, manufactured and tested to an avalanche energy specification. Also refers to electronic systems or devices that have been strengthened or modified for better resistance to wear, stress and abuse--for example, in space or under battlefield conditions or conditions of severe weather or dirt. See radiation hardened circuit.