Electronics Reliability–Calculation and Design

Electronics Reliability–Calculation and Design provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts of reliability. The increasing complexity of electronic equipment has made problems in designing and manufacturing a reliable product more and more difficult. Specific techniques have been developed that enable designers to integrate reliability into their products, and reliability has become a science in its own right. The book begins with a discussion of basic mathematical and statistical concepts, including arithmetic mean, frequency distribution, median and mode, scatter or dispersion of measurements, and the normal and binomial distributions. Separate chapters deal with techniques for calculating equipment and system reliability; safety and derating factors; and the effects of constructional methods on reliability. Subsequent chapters cover environmental effects on reliability; improved reliability through microelectronics or integrated circuits; and failure rates for electronic components. Each chapter concludes with questions to enable students to test their understanding of the topics discussed.
This book offers students an introduction to the subject of reliability in a form that is easily assimilated. It also serves as a reference to the various aspects contributing towards increased reliability of both electronic equipment and complete systems.

Preface

Acknowledgment

1 Basic Reliability Theory

Means and Frequency Distributions

Probability Theory, the Gaussian, Binomial, Exponential, Gamma and Weibull Distributions

Confidence Limits, Goodness of Fit, the Chi-Square Distribution, Precision of Measurement

Student's t Variance Ratio

2 Calculating Equipment and System Reliability

The Exponential Law of Reliability

Prediction of Reliability, Product Law of Reliability

System Prediction from Failure Rates

Calculation of Life Tests

Determination of Confidence Limits

3 Safety and Derating Factors

Reliability through Redundancy, Standby Redundancy, Parallel Redundancy, Group Redundancy

Weight and Reliability Factors

Reliability through Derating, Thermionic Valves, Semiconductors, Resistors, Capacitors, Transformers, Inductors, Relays

4 Reliability in Construction

Inadequate design features

Poor Performance under Adverse Conditions

Constructional Techniques, Printed Wiring, Encapsulation, Connections

Eliminating Mechanical Stress

Cooling Techniques

Sealing Problems

Filling Gases

5 Environmental Effects Reliability

Climatic Conditions in the World, Arctic, Tropical, Desert, Maritime, Upper Atmosphere

Environmental Stresses, Vibration, Shock, Noise, Pressure, Radiation, Acceleration

The Environment and it Effect on Electronics, High Temperature, Solar Radiation, Heat Dissipation, Low Temperature, Components, Humidity, Materials, Corrosion, Effects on Plastics

6 Reliabilty Through Microelectronics

Subdivisions of Microelectronics

Thin Film Integrated Circuits, Materials, Resistors and Capacitors, Transistors

Photolithographic Techniques

Connections; Semiconductor Integrated Circuits, Materials, Epitaxy, Masking and Diffusion Techniques; Hybrid Circuits; Reliability Evaluation of Thin Film and Semiconductor Integrated Circuits

7 Failure Rates for Electronic Components

Distribution of Failure Rates, Lowest Recorded Failure Rates, Failure Rate Figures for Transistors, Diodes, Rectifiers, Tubes, Lamps, Fixed Resistors, Variable Resistors, Fixed Capacitors, Variable Capacitors, Transformers, Coils and Chokes, Relays, Switches, Crystals, Rotary Devices, Connectors, Joints, Miscellaneous Items

Index