Brian,

I have a copy of Issue 6, December 1997 and on page 1-1 there is a
definition for device, unit, and serial system.  

Device - Refers to a basic component (or part) listed in Table 11-1
(formerly Table A) of this document.

{I believe these would be components like a transistor, resistor, capacitor,
diode, etc.}

Unit - is used herein to describe any customer replaceable assembly of
devices.  This may include, but is not limited to, circuit packs, modules,
plug-in units, racks, power supplies, and ancillary equipment.  Unless
otherwise dictated by maintenance considerations, a unit will usually be the
lowest level of replaceable assemblies/devices.

{It is kind of ambiguous because they almost seem alike with one exception,
the unit is multiple devices or a complete assembly}

Serial System - Refers to any system for which the failure of any single
unit will cause a failure of the system.

{Think of several modules connected together in series, a power supply that
powers a module that controls a tuner.  If the module that controls the
tuner dies then the tuner will not function.  Therefore the whole system has
failed.}

As far as software tools for reliability, I have used Relex software to
calculate the reliability of my system.  www.relexsoftware.com

Seymour Morris of Quanterion also gives a good 3 day course on reliability.
smor...@quanterion.com

The Relex software is pretty good, it will produce a report and calculate
reliability of a system or even down to the sub-assembly level.  The
software has a library of failure rates for components that is okay, I found
the best way was to contact the manufacturer of each component and request
the FIT rate (failures in time) for each component and then I would plug
those values into the software.

I hope this helps.

Regards,

Brad Segarini



-----Original Message-----
From: Brian McAuliffe [mailto:bally...@iolfree.ie]
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2001 4:09 AM
To: NEBS
Subject: Reliability predictions: SR-332


Hi

1. SR-332 (issued in May 2001) refers to the terms "device, "unit" and
"serial system". Can anybody give examples of each ?

2. Is there anywhere in existence an idiots guide to performing reliability
predictions as per the requirements of this document?

3. Presumably these predictions are best performed with the aid of a
software tool. Can anybody give pointers to such tools - commercial,
shareware, freeware ?

As SR-332 is a recent issue, maybe 2. and 3. above do not exist. Do they
exist for TR-332 Issue 6  ??

thanks in advance

Brian McAuliffe

MCA Compliance Consulting
13 Silver Grove, Ennis, Co.Clare, Ireland

Tel:    +353.65.6823452
Mobile: +353.87.2352554
Email:  i...@mcac.ie

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