Automated reliability predictions and derating analysis in the concurrent engineering environment

An automated method of evaluating electronic equipment for overstress effects and derating compliance simultaneously with reliability predictions has been successfully implemented at Hughes Aircraft Company, Radar Systems Group. The author describes the reliability prediction and derating analysis software tool (HAC RPP) that operates on design, manufacturers', and thermal data via electronic data transfer. Examples of its application and effectiveness are also provided. HAC RPP concurrently accomplishes the computation of derated and stressed part failure rate/unit MTBF predictions and identifies overstressed part problems while operating with shared databases. It has been used very early in the design process to replace a parts-count method of predicting reliability, and in detailed design using a part stress analysis method.<>