Design by Worst-Case Analysis: A Systematic Method to Approach Specified Reliability Requirements

Design criteria which result in a systematic method to approach specified reliability requirements of equipment are essential to the development of complex electronic systems. A practical approach to designing equipment which lends itself to theoretically valid reliability prediction has long been sought. The worst-case analysis offers an answer in terms of a simple, well-organized, analytical method. Furthermore, application of this method results in a number of factors which benefit the component design engineer, the system design engineer, the administration of the engineering organization which applies these techniques, and the manufacturer of the component parts. The subject of worst-case criteria will be introduced, and the resulting effects on hardware and the engineer will be examined. The procedure for performing the worst-case analysis will then be described, and sample circuits designed in this manner will be shown. Lastly, the relation of worst-case criteria to statistical theory will be described, and the validity of worst-case criteria for reliability prediction will be shown.