Introduction

Electronic packaging is "the technology of packaging electronic equipment" [I] which includes the interconnection of electronic components into printed wiring boards (PWBs) and the interconnection of printed wiring boards to electronic assemblies. Because of the increased use of computers and electronics in all aspects of our lives. increasing perfonnance of electronic packaging configurations without increasing cost is becoming a major thrust of the electronics industry. This increased use of electronics in conjunction with reduced size and weight, and the business need to introduce products rapidly has led to increased use of analysis instead of "build and test" to detennine if equipment can meet the appropriate requirements. Perfonning this analysis accurately and in a timely manner is very important if the full benefits of an analytical approach are to be realized.