Question for Electronic Specialists

[FlashlightKid]

This is more of a question for those who know way more about electronics than I do. I did some research and seem to think that most flashlights, especially ones that have complex features and go though version updates use EEPROM type memory. I have also found that EEPROM memory has a disadvantage in that it only lasts a certain number of years before the electronic data stored moves though an insulator and corupts the data. This is also spead up though exposure to radiation.

I was just wondering if anyone here knew whether having a flashlight x-rayed several times a month on travel would effect the lights overall life (assuiming its kept well over 10 years).

Also if anyone knows how long EEPROM memory usually lasts, assuming only the initial (ONE) read/write cycle is done by the factory. I've found estimates from manufaturers range from 10 to over 100 years of data retention.

Has anyone studied this stuff and have any ideas? :shrug:
Sorry if this seem kind of paranoid, but I do have lights I plan on keeping well over 10 years even if they are outdated and was wondering if they will still work if used occationally and taken on travel.

I'm hoping that I'm just being overly paranoid and the EEPROM in the lights will last excessivly long (>100 years) and will not have any notable effects on durability from x-ray machines.

Note: I am not concerned with the limited number of read/write cycles of EEPROM memory, just the aspect of data retention over a long period of time.

Thank you for your responces and opinions!

 

[ValVe]

Modern consumer-grade EEPROMS are quite sensitive to intensive radiation, and will likely experience non-permanent damage when exposed to x-rays or gammas.

Some manufacturers even use specially designed radiation-hardened ICs for BIOS and other vital system components on higher-end products.

Cases of electronics failures due to radiation exposure in airports, etc. are becoming more and more common.

You should not rely on smart flashlights or any other devices with CMOS-based memory too much if they undergo active x-ray scanning.

However, in normal conditions, the risk of radiation damage is negligible and your equipment will probably work just fine if quality components are used.

 

[FlashlightKid]

Thanks for your reply.
I seem to have found the same after doing further research. It seems that it is very very unlikely, unless exposed to high radiation over a long perod of time (more than just a few x-ray scans) in a high radiation enviroment that any damage will be inflicted.

So in short it seem that failure is rare for the normal user and traveler.:twothumbs

Unless someone has stories of their programable lights failing after being scanned???:sick2: