Component Reliability Database (CRD) takes FMEDA predictions to a New Level of Accuracy
The FMEDA technique, developed in the 1980’s by engineers now working at exida, is commonly used to predict the safety & reliability performance (e.g., failure rates) of safety-critical devices as required by the IEC-61508 family of performance-based standards. FMEDA results, however, are only as good as the reliability database that is used to predict them. The exida CRD addresses the many shortcomings of existing component reliability handbooks and databases enabling you to achieve a new level of accuracy in your FMEDA predictions.
- The most Comprehensive database for design of automatic protection systems – Eliminate searching the internet for missing components, using data of dubious pedigree, or making questionable assumptions.
- Verify Component Useful Life – Don’t assume. Verify that all the components in your design meet the mission time requirements for the overall system. Prevent unknowing selection of a component with a 5yr useful life for a 20yr mission time. This could lead to premature failures and perceived quality issues.
- Realistic and Complete Failure Modes / Distributions – Data is derived from rigorous field failure analysis conducted with the manufacturers (Not just assumed 50/50% distributions). Review of component failure modes (from the CRD) vs. functional failure modes (from a FMEA) helps identify new failure modes not considered in the system or subsystem FMEA.
- Updated regularly to keep up with Technology (Moore’s Law) – Database is updated yearly to ensure that the latest state-of-the-art components (such as new semiconductors) are available for use in your design and changes in component performance are reflected.
- Failure Data that is tailored to the Operating Environment- Calculated based on predefined or user-defined environmental profiles (temperature, humidity, mechanical shock…) and operating modes (power, duty cycle, etc.) means that the data is consistent for the intended application.
- Failure Data that considers Real-World Behavior – Includes impact of analog drift, soft error rates, geometry, size, and packaging to maximize accuracy.
- Calibrated for Accuracy using Field Failure data – Regular comparison of predicted values (CRD) vs estimated values from quality field failure data ensures that data and FMEDA predictions are as accurate as they can be.
Who needs Accurate Failure Rate Predictions?
You do… That is if you want the most accurate intelligence available to help you make the best possible decisions when bringing a new safety-critical device to market. An analysis conducted by the International Electronics Reliability Institute showed that predicted component and product failure rates could vary by up to 10X based on which reliability data source was used. Try performing design tradeoffs (cost, reliability, weight, size) with this kind of data uncertainty. It is challenging to evaluate whether marketing requirements have been met or plan logistic and life-cycle support strategies with inaccurate data. It also can lead to inaccurate reliability predictions by the users of your product. In the worst case it can lead to missing of important failure modes which could result in product recalls or safety issues (including loss of life).
See for Yourself – Not All Reliability Databases are Equal
Component reliability databases are used in many industries to perform reliability and availability analysis, design optimization, lifecycle cost predictions, and safety analysis. As systems grow more complex, this analysis becomes more important.
The World’s Most Comprehensive Failure Rate Database
The exida CRD™ Handbook / Database provides the engineering community with the most comprehensive database available of relevant electronic, mechanical, and sensor component failure data.
CRD Parts List – Download the CRD Parts List and let us know if you can identify any components from your designs that are missing!
Add a Component to the CRD - FMEDAx™ subscribers can request a part to be added to the CRD. Send us information on the component/manufacturer and, in as little as two weeks, we will send you a file with the component’s failure rate data. The data file can be added to your current CRD database in a matter of seconds; no need to update software. This means no need to search the internet for missing parts or to make reliability assumptions on critical components that could make the difference between commercial success and failure.
Failure Data and Then Some
The CRD provides all the data you need to perform a Failure Modes, Effects, and Diagnostic Analysis (FMEDA) using FMEDAx. It documents failure rate as a function of how the component is used (operating modes) and its operating environment (particularly temperature). It also provides data on likely failure modes, the distribution of those failure modes, and useful life. This rich set of failure data helps you create the most accurate FMEDA predictions possible.
CRD Component Data Sheets - Check out some sample Component Data Sheets from the CRD Handbook. Let us know if they don’t exceed the contents of your current reliability handbook!
Why do we care about Component Failure Rate Data So Much?
Engineers from exida developed the FMEDA technique in the 1990’s as a way to contribute to the advance of safety and reliability engineering (actually to quantify the impact of diagnostics on safety and availability). We want to see it applied correctly and successfully. We think this can best be done by pushing to increase the transparency, consistency, and accuracy of product failure rate prediction throughout the industry.
Custom Environmental / Application Profiles
Several standard environmental stress profiles are supplied with FMEDAx. These reduce the time needed for FMEDA analysis. However, some applications do not match with these configurations. The Environmental Profile Editor is not available in OEMx to account for most any application.
Specific environmental profiles can be quickly created when needed. Engineering time spent attempting to calculate specific failure rates and useful life metrics is eliminated.
Introducing the OEMx Environmental Profile Editor Using the Environmental Profile Generator
400 billion operating hours of field failure data have been analyzed by exida to calibrate its component reliability data in order to deliver the most accurate and realistic database for use in the development of IEC 61508-compliant products
More Information
- Download the Whitepaper to learn more about what makes the exida CRD unique
- View the Webinar to learn more about the exida CRD and how it can improve the accuracy of your FMEDAs
- Download the FMEDAx Brochure to learn about the exida FMEDA tool and Component Reliability Database