Automated reliability prediction?

Abstract

With currently available software, it is unrealistic to expect a design engineer to perform an automated reliability prediction during the early design stage. Two major road blocks are: lack of a set of software tools for electrical and thermal stress analyses of an early design, and lack of an industry-wide parts library identifying part type, complexity, and quality levels. Without these tools, a part-count prediction is more appropriate during the early stages of a design. The Naval Avionics Center (NAC) has used a reliability prediction program to generate predictions for the projects listed. The Naval Avionics Center's (NAC) mission is to conduct research, development, engineering, material acquisition, pilot and limited manufacturing, technical evaluation, depot maintenance, and integrated logistics support on assigned airborne electronics (avionics), missile, spaceborne, undersea and surface weapon systems and related equipment. In striving to accomplish this mission, NAC has made a commitment to develop all new designs on their integrated computer-aided engineering environment.<>