This book provides a methodology for engineers to determine if electronic parts can meet performance requirements when used outside of the manufacturer's specified ratings. It aims to give a well-defined, risk-informed process for uprating parts. The book covers determining application environment specifications, avoiding risks of using parts outside ratings, applying an uprating methodology, and mitigating legal risks. It is intended for engineers selecting, qualifying, and managing electronic parts across the supply chain, from product manufacturers to part suppliers.

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Created: 03/31/05
Rating and Uprating of Electronic Products
Diganta Das, Michael Pecht, and Neeraj Pendse
CALCE EPSC Press, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 2004
Use of electronic parts beyond their manufacturer specified ratings is widespread and cuts across
many industry sectors. Unfortunately, the process is often ad hoc and based on outdated ideas and
methodologies with unquantifiable risks. Uprating is a process to assess the ability of a part to meet
the functionality and performance requirements of the application in which the part is used outside
the manufacturer recommended operating range.
Rating and Uprating of Electronic Parts is the first practical guide for engineers involved in
uprating electronic parts. The aim of the book is to give the reader a well-defined, risk-informed
methodology which will enable one to determine whether an electronics part will meet the
performance requirements when used outside the manufacturer specified ratings, as listed in the
part datasheet.
This book is based on the work performed by the authors together with electronics industry
worldwide and has been reviewed positively by industry and academia. After studying this book,
you will be able to:
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determine how to find a part that will meet the datasheet specifications of the application
environment, including the temperature ratings
avoid pitfalls and risks associated with using parts outside their rated specifications
apply a methodology to uprate a part for your target application conditions
mitigate the technical and legal risks associated with the use of parts outside the performance specifications
address future trends and needs related to part ratings
Who is this book for?
This book is for the component engineers, test engineers, purchase engineers, engineering managers, system engineers, design engineers,
quality assurance personnel and manufacturing engineers, associated with the selection, qualification, and management of electronic parts.
The book is meant to support the complete supply chain that may make or use uprated parts; including product manufacturers, electrical test
laboratories, after-market part suppliers, regulatory bodies, part manufacturers and even legal counsels.
http://www.calce.umd.edu/general/published/books/descriptions/rating.html

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Table of contents:
Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Using the Part Datasheet
Chapter 3 Definitions and Rationale
Chapter 4 The Uprating Methodology
Chapter 5 Parameter Conformance
Chapter 6 Parameter Re-characterization
Chapter 7 Stress Balancing
Chapter 8 Assembly Level Testing
Chapter 9 Uprating Case Studies
Chapter 10 Uprating Facilities and Costs
Chapter 11 Assessing and Mitigating the Legal Risks
Chapter 12 Technical and Business Trends that Affect Uprating
ISBN 0-9707174-2-3
CALCE EPSC Press
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
To purchase this book, please contact:
books@calce.umd.edu
Tel: 301-405-5323
Fax: 301-314-9269
http://www.calce.umd.edu/general/published/books/descriptions/rating.html