Predictive reliability and lifetime methodologies for circuit boards

This research highlights the criteria and methodologies of a simulation tool that predicts the reliability and remaining lifetime of circuit boards. A new approach to determine component position in circuit boards is presented, where the criteria of determining the position of the failed components on the board layout and their effect on the entire board are demonstrated. Given an existing design and specified operating conditions, a user is able to evaluate circuit boards and determine which components, sets of components, or the complete board are most likely to fail and when. This in turn will allow one to anticipate and identify failures before they occur, thus reducing downtime and saving money.