The Reliability Engineering Glossary
Reliability engineering and related fields use a vocabulary unique to our field of endeavor. For example, the term ‘reliability’ has the meaning of ‘trustworthy’ in everyday English use. For us, ‘reliability’ has a precise engineering definition.
Glossary description and plans
This glossary is meant to help us learn the language of reliability engineering. The category of ‘Terms’ is like a dictionary, including terms and their definitions as used by engineers. The category of ‘Methods’ is a listing of the techniques, tools, approaches, or concepts that may be found within a reliability plan. In the near future, we expect to expand the ‘Methods’ pages to include guidelines on use or application, examples, and additional references.
We also plan to expand the glossary to include formulas and failure mechanisms. Please let us know if there is another list of terms that should be added if you do not find a term that should be included or if you would like to recommend a change to an existing entry.
Method Categories
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- Fault isolation (FI) The process of determining the location of a fault to the extent necessary to effect repair. Read More
- Fault isolation timeThe time spent arriving at a decision as to which items caused the system to malfunction. This includes time spent working on (replacing, attempting to repair, and adjusting) portions of the system shown by subsequent interim tests not to have been the cause of the malfunction. Read More
- Fault localizationThe process of determining the approximate location of a fault. Read More
- Fault tolerant designA design approach or solution intended to keep the system fully or partially function when a fault occurs within the system. Read More
- Fault tree analysis (FTA)A technique to explore the many potential or actual causes of product or system failure. FTA is a top-down analysis method, where one starts with a symptom or fault and then lists the many possible causes in a structured manner. It provides a structured way to organize information about the(...) Read More
- Fiber optical techniquesTechnique for permitting optical inspection of hidden assemblies and design. Read More
- Field data analysisThe mathematical and/or graphical analysis of time-to-failure data of items in use by customers. Analysis of field data enables an estimate of the actual field time-to-failure distribution or failure rate. Read More
- Field failureA failure that occurs after transfer of ownership or operation from the manufacturer to a customer. Read More
- Field lifetimeThe expected duration an item is expected to function or provide value for the customer. Read More
- Field of regardThe solid angle that can be seen by an observer with eye and head movements. Read More
- Field of viewThe solid angle that can be seen at one time by the stationary eye. It is about 150 degrees horizontally by 125 degrees vertically. When the two eyes operate together, the horizontal extent enlarges to about 190 degrees. Read More
- Field of view for windowsAll points through a window that can be viewed directly by at least one eye, given the combination of achievable eye, head, and body movement. The field of view is restricted by obstructions imposed by the facial structure around the eye and/or placed in front of the eye such as a helmet if(...) Read More
- Finite element analysis (FEA)The process of simulating the behavior of a part or assembly under given conditions so that it can be analyzed. FEA uses mathematical models to aid in understanding and quantifying the effects of real-world conditions on a part or assembly. Read More
- Finite population analysis (FPA)A form of signature analysis where the signature occurs in subset of a population. Read More
- FirmwareThe combination of a hardware device and computer instructions or computer data that reside as read-only software on the hardware device. The software cannot be readily modified under program control. Read More
- First orderTerm used to refer to the power to which a factor appears in a model. For example, if Xi represent factors and Bi are the factors’ effect, then the model is first order in both X1 and X2. Read More
- Fishbone diagramA problem-solving tool using a graphical arrangement of various process elements to analyze sources of variation or failure cause. Also known as a cause and effect diagram or Ishikawa diagram. Read More
- Fleet-leader conceptThe concentration of sample inspections on the pieces of equipment which have the highest operating ages to identify the first evidence of changes in their condition with increasing age. Read More
- A seminconductor memory failure mechanism. Nonvolatile memories are subject to several mechanisms that can cause data to be lost. For floating gate memories, a cell’s data (‘0’ or ‘1’) depends on whether its threshold voltage (VT ) is above or below a critical threshold level (VT,crit). The(...) Read More
- Floor lifeThe permissible duration for an item after removal from moisture-barrier bag, dry storage, or dry bake and before the exposure to a solder reflow process. Read More
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