Relex

the intuitive solution! Relex Software Corporation

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Reliability Software

What is Relex?
A Powerful Reliability Software Tool

performs efficient reliability analysis uses multiple analysis techniques provides advanced features

Relex Is Uniquely Qualified

Reliability Engineering Experience

Commercial

Military

Software Development Experience

Relex
the intuitive solution! Relex Software Corporation

Reliability Software

Introduction to Reliability Prediction

Reliability Predictions
What is a Reliability Prediction?

Calculation of failure rate (MTBF)

How is it Calculated?

Based on established reliability model

Reliability Measures

Failure Rate () Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) Reliability Availability

Sample Relex Reliability Prediction calculation results

Failure Rate
Defined As:

Rate of Occurrence of Failures Number of Failure in Specified Time Period

Units:

Failures per Million Hours Failures per Billion Hours (FIT Rate)
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MTBF
Defined As:

Mean Time Between Failures Number of Hours to Pass Before a Failure Occurs Inverse of Failure Rate* Typically expressed in Hours
*Constant Failure Rate Systems
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Units:

Reliability
Defined As:

The probability that an item will perform a required function without failure under stated conditions for a stated period of time Probability Value (0-1)
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Units:

Availability
Defined As:

The probability that an item is in an operable state at any time

Units:

Probability Value (0-1)

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Reliability Summary

Failure Rate -- number of failures in time

MTBF -- average time between failures

Reliability -- takes into account mission time

Availability -- accounts for repairs (MTTR) and downtime
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The Bathtub Curve and Reliability

The Bathtub Curve

Represents failure rate tendencies for the lifespan of an item Failure rate varies in different phases of life

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Three Phases of Life

Infant Mortality Region Wear-Out Region Constant Failure Rate Region

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Bathtub Curve

Graph of Failure Rate vs. Time

Considers three phases of life

Represents lifespan of item

(i.e. 15 years for a car)

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Bathtub Curve Illustration

Failure Rate
Infant Mortality Wear Out Constant Failure Rate

Time
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Reliability Models

Influences to reliability / Model-parameters

Production factors
Design & construction Production maturity Storage conditions

Materialselection

Transport conditions

Electronic component
Application factors Operating conditions Applicationtemperature

electrical stress Climatic environment

mechanical stress

Relex Prediction Models

MIL-HDBK-217 (FN1, FN2 ) Telcordia (Telcordia 1, Bellcore 4,5,6) Prism: RAC model (Process Grades, Bayesian) NSWC-98/LE1: mechanical model HRD5: British telecomm model CNET 93: French telecomm model 299B: Chinese standard
Relex allows the user to use multiple models within one project and use functionality across models (i.e. use Prism process grade factors on 217 predicted failure rates, use Bellcore methods on 217 calculations, etc.)

MIL-HDBK-217

Original standard for reliability Reliability math models electronic devices Used commercially & in the defense industry Currently at Revision F Notice 2

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Parts Count

A section of MIL-HDBK-217
Provides simpler reliability math

Typical Uses:

Used early in the design process Used to acquire a rough estimate of reliability
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Telcordia (Bellcore)

Originally developed at AT&T Bell Labs Modified MIL-HDBK-217 equations

New equations represented what their equipment was experiencing in the field

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Telcordia (Bellcore) (cont.)

New model with new feature

Account for real data

Burn-in, Field, Laboratory testing data

Popular standard for commercial

companies

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Mechanical

Based on the Handbook of Reliability Prediction Procedures for Mechanical Equipment, NSWC-98/LE1
Provides models for various types of mechanical devices including springs, bearings, seals, etc. New and unique standard
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CNET & HRD5

Used in Europe
Reliability models for telecommunications

Current Versions:

HRD - 5 CNET - 93

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Bellcore vs. 217

Recognition & Acceptance

Concentration
Calculations & Equations Consideration of Test Data Multiplier Parts Environments Quality Levels
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Accuracy of MTBF Assessments

Stage I:
Parts count method, assuming constant failure rates Accuracy

Stage II:
Variation of failure rates according to part families

Stage III:
Taking into account of operational parameters

Stage IV: Consideration of failure modes, time influences, different failure distribution for each part, etc.

Time spent for the analysis

PRISM Reliability Model

Developed by the Reliability Analysis Center (RAC)

Accounts for the effect of process related variability on system failure rate

Inherent failure rate based on base failure rate and environmental conditions (RAC Rates model)
Failure rate may then be modified by:

Process Grade Factors, and/or Bayesian Analysis, and/or Predecessor Data

PRISM Methodology
Operational Profile, Environmental and Electrical Stresses

RAC Component Models

Process Assessments Test Data

RAC Failure Rate Databases

System Reliability Assessment Model

Bayesian Data Combination

Historical Data on Similar Systems

Software Model

System Reliability Estimate

Primary Causes of Failure

0.087147 0.044514 0.092163 0.124138 0.2 0.094044 1 No Defect 20% Software 9% Parts 22%

Manufacturing 15%

Induced 12% Wearout 9% Design System 9% Management 4%

(Nominal Values)

PRISM Process Grade Factor Types

Design Manufacturing Parts Quality System Management CND (Can Not Duplicate) Induced Wearout Growth Infant Mortality

Other PRISM Adjustments

Bayesian

Uses test and field data to enhance predicted failure rate

Predecessor

Uses previous history data to further refine predicted failure rate

PRISM Note

Although PRISM contains RAC Rate models for many part types, it does not include the following:

Rotating devices Switching devices Connections Miscellaneous parts

Relays Tubes Lasers

Relex can solve this problem by allowing the user to apply PRISM concepts (Process Grade, Bayesian, Predecessor) to a failure rate calculated by all other models.