Reliability

Which reliability test condition is appropriate for statistically guaranteeing a very low failure rate?

  1. ATest many samples for a long time, also using accelerated conditions
  2. BTest a single sample for a short time
  3. CGuarantee it without testing
Show answer and explanation

Answer: A. Test many samples for a long time, also using accelerated conditions

When the failure rate is very low, testing a few samples for a short time produces no failures and no statistically meaningful conclusion. Many samples are tested for a long time, using acceleration by temperature and voltage, and an upper bound on the failure rate is estimated with the confidence level taken into account.

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More Reliability questions

  1. In thin gate oxides, what is the mild breakdown called in which leakage current increases in steps before insulation is completely lost?
  2. Which pair correctly names "failures in which function is suddenly and completely lost" and "failures in which characteristics gradually drift out of specification"?
  3. For typical consumer semiconductor products, which is closest to the usage period commonly assumed in reliability design?
  4. For the same kind of semiconductor, which correctly describes the reliability levels required for consumer and automotive use?
  5. Based on the rule of thumb often used for chemical reactions and degradation, that "reaction speed roughly doubles for every 10 °C rise", how does lifetime change when the operating temperature is lowered by 10 °C?