A technique for characterization of hardware system behavior for product reliability predictions

This paper describes a cost-effective reliability estimation technique that systematically characterizes components of a system based on the system behavior. This technique is an extension to that known as statistical interference theory where probability of failure is derived from the interference between load and strength distributions. Material strength distribution is a physical property characterizing material's failure. Several parameters such as stress, strain, or energy can be used to measure strength in hardware components. Strength distributions for most commonly used materials can be obtained from materials testing. Load distribution derived from field return data and strength distribution aggregates effects of numerous parameters to form a material behavioral response under field use conditions.