ABSTRACT
The last two chapters have described how to estimate reliability distribution parameters and failure probabilities for components operating at typical use conditions. How can these probabilities be used to predict total system performance? How does the design of the system affect reliability? What are the bene—ts of redundant design? This chapter will answer questions like these and also develop general reliability algorithms that can be used to project system reliability and evaluate the failure rate improvement expected by adding a “burn-in” step to the manufacturing process. Note, however, that this chapter only considers the —rst failure reached by a system-or
the failure rate (of —rst system failures) for a population of similar systems. Repair rates for repairable systems will be discussed in Chapters 12 and 13.
