Concerning Estimating Connector Reliability: Laboratory Simulations and Reliability Modeling

摘要

There are several methods for estimating the reliability of a connector. The two which will be discussed in this paper are reliability modeling and laboratory testing to simulate the behavior of the connector in the field. Each method must address a number of issues to ensure correspondence of the model or test simulation with field behavior. A generalized Physics of Failure model for reliability estimation will be proposed and each approach will be discussed in the context of that model. The extension of modeling of degradation mechanisms to connector performance and reliability will be discussed. Test practices for connectors will be reviewed in terms of how they relate to reliability estimation based on the proposed model and an End of Life simulation of degradation mechanisms.