The IEEE standards on reliability program and reliability prediction methods for electronic equipment

Reliability is the ability of a part or product to perform as intended (i.e., without failure and within specified performance limits) for a specified time, in its life cycle application environment. Reliability specification and demonstration is an activity between customers and suppliers. In the absence of proper procedure, this activity may not meet the customer requirements and product needs. IEEE standard 1332 was developed to streamline the process of developing a reliability program that is value added and suits the needs of both customers and suppliers. This standard is briefly introduced in this paper. The method used for reliability prediction is often a matter of contention. It is understood that the benefits of a reliability prediction are dependent on the accuracy and completeness of the information used to perform the prediction and on the methods used to conduct the prediction. IEEE Reliability Prediction Standard 1413 was developed to understand the risks associated with using a prediction and to establish the framework around which a reliability prediction methodology and a prediction can be assessed. A guidebook (IEEE 1413.1) that describes several common reliability prediction methods and assesses them according to 1413 was also developed. This paper describes the development and key contents of both IEEE 1413 and the guidebook.