Reliability Inspection of Electronic Components From the Point of View of the Users

One group of electronic components, passive components, has a mature production technology, since they have been in production for a long time. On the other hand in another group of electronic components, such as microcircuits, the manufacture is being continuously changed as new physical phenomena are recognised. The production technology of this latter group can only be developed on the basis of a carefully planned chain of production and inspection phases based on very sensitive and precisely adjustable equipment. Amongst the main objectives of the componentmanufacturers who have a mature production technology the reliability assurance of their products has a very important role. Consequently, the manufacturing process is based on a well-organised chain of operation, inspection and surveillance. The number and severity of the inspections and surveillances built in between the different manufacturing operations can vary depending on the component-type. Great attention should be paid to the reliability of electronic components, since reliable equipment cannot be constructed without reliable parts. Consequently, the satisfactory reliability level of components is important in the economic consideration of the component-manufacturers and of the users, i.e. the equipment-manufacturers, as well. It is important for the component-manufacturer, to ensure that their products will have a good market, and it is important for the user because he must produce reliable equipment. In the following paper the activities performed to achieve these two objectives will be discussed. In the first part a brief summary will be given of the evaluation process, whilst in the second part illustrative examples of testing procedures will be given.