TABLE OF CONTENTS As is true throughout the electronics industry, the terms used to define or describe a discipline can vary widely. In understanding ESS, there are a number of critical areas where these variations may cause confusion. The terms "screening", "aging", and "burn-in", for example, are sometimes used interchangeably in industry. In the interest of clarity, this chapter makes some needed distinctions.
The ESS definition given by DOD-HDBK-344 (USAF) [1, p. 1] is as follows:
"ESS is a process or series of processes in which environmental stimuli, such as rapid thermal cycling and random vibration, are applied to electronic items in order to precipitate latent defects to early failures."
The ESS definition given by Thermotron Industries [2, p. 5] is the following:
"ESS is a means of screening products, ideally at the most cost-effective point of assembly, to expose defects that can't be detected by visual inspection or electrical testing. These defects typically are related to defective parts, workmanship or process, and are major contributors to early product field failure."
The ESS definition given by Mandel [3, p. 294] is as follows:
"ESS is a process which involves the application of a specific type of environmental stress, on an accelerated basis, but within design capability, in an attempt to surface latent or incipient hardware flaws which, if undetected, would in all likelihood, manifest themselves in the operational or field environment."
Two key elements of this definition are "accelerated stress" and "design capability." The...
