A realistic MTBF provides a closer, more precise, approximation of the expected MTBF under operational conditions. We are able to achieve a realistic MTBF prediction by incorporating component derating, PCB self-heating and components actual stresses into our calculations. 

When taking actual stress levels for each component into consideration (rather than some defaults), the resulting MTBF is much more realistic, and typically higher than what you would get with a “regular” MTBF prediction. This higher MTBF result allows companies to forego unneeded design changes and/or purchases of additional parts. fiXtress Pro clearly identifies problematic components in the design, increases design reliability, and ultimately increases the MTBF prediction value.

Component derating and stress assignment are used to simulate and test the operational conditions of the components in a way that is closer to their real-life operational requirements and constraints. Integrating these factors into our MTBF calculations results in a highly realistic MTBF prediction.

MTBF re-calculations must be done after design or component changes. When using fiXtress Pro, changes to part info can be easily updated in a central library and updates are propagated to all components with this part number so you don’t have to remember and manually edit all the components in the project.

fiXtress Pro makes it easy to import the BOM directly from the EDA tool (we support Altium Designer, Mentor Xpedition and Cadence’s OrCAD) with a few simple clicks of a button. The software also verifies the BOM data and alerts the user if there are missing part numbers etc. fiXtress Pro automatically fills-in some of the parameters (using part’s data) to save time and effort, while any additional missing info can be easily retrieved from the web.