Reliability

For the same kind of semiconductor, which correctly describes the reliability levels required for consumer and automotive use?

  1. AThey are exactly the same for any application
  2. BAutomotive use is more lenient
  3. CAutomotive use requires very low failure rates over wide temperature ranges and long periods, making it stricter
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Answer: C. Automotive use requires very low failure rates over wide temperature ranges and long periods, making it stricter

Automotive semiconductors are used for well over a decade in heat like an engine compartment, cold climates and vibration, and failures directly affect safety. They therefore need operation over wider temperature ranges than consumer parts and very low defect rates at the ppm or ppb level.

  • A. Required levels differ by application.
  • B. Because safety is involved, automotive requirements are stricter.
  • C. Correct. Automotive use requires stricter reliability.
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More Reliability questions

  1. 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?
  2. What is the main purpose of collecting and analyzing information on failures of products in use in the market (field failures)?
  3. Among ESD (electrostatic discharge) test models, which pair correctly names "discharge when a charged person touches an IC pin" and "discharge when the IC itself is charged and a pin touches metal"?
  4. Which thermodynamics-based model expresses lifetime acceleration including the effects of multiple stresses such as humidity and voltage in addition to temperature?
  5. Which model expresses the fatigue life of solder joints under temperature cycling as a relationship between the temperature swing (strain magnitude) and the number of cycles?