ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on reliability predictions for the constant failure rate region. It also focuses on two specific methods: Military Handbook-217 for both Parts Count and Detail Stress Methods to estimate electrical and electronic parts, using an exponential failure rate, and Bellcore for Methods I, II, and III assuming a serial model, using exponential failure rates of electrical parts. Reliability predictions play a critical role in the design for reliability process during product development. Reliability predictions provide early estimates of the design complexity that relate to the product reliability. Most common reliability predictions use a “bottoms-up” approach by estimating the failure rate for each element and then combining the failure rates for the entire assembly. Customer expectations for reliability predictions can vary quite significantly, especially with a global market that encompasses a wide range of applications. System reliability often requires detailed probability analysis when serial models cannot be used.
