ABSTRACT
Reliability is the ability of a product to perform as intended (i.e., without failure and within specified performance limits) for a specified time in its life cycle application environment. To achieve product reliability over the complete life cycle demands an approach that consists of a set of tasks, each requiring total engineering and management commitment and enforcement. These tasks impact electronic hardware reliability through the selection of materials, structural geometries and design tolerances, manufacturing processes and tolerances, assembly techniques, shipping and handling methods, operational conditions, and maintenance and maintainability guidelines [1]. The tasks are as follows:
1. Define realistic product requirements and constraints for certain useful lifetimes based on target markets. This includes defining the functionality, physical attributes, performance, life cycle environment, useful life (with warranties), life cycle cost, testing and qualification methods, sched-
ules, and end-of-life requirements for the product. The manufacturer and the customer must mutually define the product requirements in light of both the customer’s needs and the manufacturer’s capability to meet those needs.
