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217Plus FAQ







Double the Model
Coverage of the Center's
Previous Release PRISMŽ







Lower Price
than PRISMŽ

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FAQ

217Plus Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
(many of these FAQs relate to the use of the predecessor version of 217Plus; nevertheless the information still applies)


What is the difference between PRISMŽ and 217Plus?

There are several differences, some technical and some administrative. The original PRISMŽ program and component models were developed and implemented by Bill Denson and Dave Mahar while employees of IIT Research Institute (now known as Alion Science and Technology) which operated the Reliability Analysis Center (RAC). Denson and Mahar left IITRI in 2000 and, since then, no new component models have been incorporated into PRISMŽ.

In June, 2005, a team headed by Wyle Laboratories and including Quanterion Solutions; the Center for Reliability Engineering (CRE) at the University of Maryland; the Penn State University Advanced Research Laboratory (ARL); and the SUNY Institute of Technology (SUNYIT) were awarded the contract to operate the Reliability Information Analysis Center, or RIAC. The RIAC is the new DoD contract to operate what was formerly known as the RAC. Denson and Mahar, as employees of Quanterion Solutions, have brought their expertise back to the RIAC to advance and enhance PRISMŽ in the form of 217Plus, the only DoD-authorized and supported effort to collect and analyze data, develop and implement models, and enhance and expand the capabilities of the PRISMŽ system reliability assessment tool for the DoD.

217Plus incorporates the complete electronic failure prediction methodology for all of the major component categories found in MIL-HDBK-217. Whereas PRISMŽ included only six models (resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors, microcircuits and thyristors), the 217Plus program doubles the number of models to include connectors, relays, switches, optoelectronic devices, inductors and relays. The 217Plus program incorporates the complete RIAC electronic and mechanical failure databases known throughout the DoD and industry as the Electronic Part Reliability Database (EPRD) and the Nonelectronic Part Reliability Database (NPRD), with over 2x1013 hours of operation and 795,000 failures. As the only DoD-sponsored Information Analysis Center (IAC) dedicated to component, equipment and systems reliability, maintainability, quality, supportability and interoperability (RMQSI), the RIAC is the focal point for the most current and comprehensive methodology related to component and system reliability prediction and assessment.


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Why should I consider using 217Plus as my reliability assessment tool?

217Plus, the new standard for reliability prediction, is based on RIAC's extensive reliability data and experience. 217Plus includes:

  • New electronic Component Models based on over 1012 hours of field experience data
  • A comprehensive reliability assessment methodology that takes into account processes used in the management, design, manufacturing, test and maintenance of a system
  • Extensive component databases of field reliability data
  • Integration of user test and field data
  • Free installation support
  • Free minor upgrades delivered via the web

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Has 217Plus been accepted in industry internationally as a replacement for MIL-HDBK-217?

PRISMŽ, released in 2000, has gained wide acceptance in the RMQSI user community and is viewed as the replacement for MIL-HDBK-217 and 217-type modeling methodologies. It is often difficult to instill change away from methodologies that have been utilized for decades; however the inadequacies that exist within these predecessor methodologies have helped the community embrace PRISMŽ with much enthusiasm. PRISMŽ deviates from traditional reliability prediction methodologies by allowing a user to factor in test data and address system level design and manufacturing processes to refine a system prediction. These factors known to impact field reliability have been previously ignored. In addition, the newly developed 217Plus component and system assessment models address not only operational aspects but also non-operational and/or dormant aspects of a part or system.

These models based on RIAC's most current reliability data will be updated routinely as new data is collected whereby keeping the models and the 217Plus approach current with the state-of-the-art. The best testimonial to 217Plus acceptance is systems that are currently being analyzed using 217Plus. We are aware that the following types of systems are being assessed: satellite systems, airborne systems, automotive systems, radars, computers, transmitter/receivers, fuel cell electronics and down-hole oil drilling electronics to name a few. 217Plus has also been specified as the recommended prediction methodology in a multitude of DoD system procurements.


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What failure rate prediction models are included in 217Plus?

Predictive models exist for integrated circuits (Hermetic and non-hermetic), diodes, transistors, capacitors, resistors and thyristors. Additionally, a predictive model was incorporated for software, along with a system level model that accounts for non-component variables.


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How do I determine failure rates for components that do not have 217Plus models?

The 217Plus tool incorporates extensive field reliability databases that can be used to assess the failure rates of components where 217Plus predictive models do not exist. 217Plus also allows user input of data. If a user has field experience or test data, this data can be factored into an analysis.


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Can I perform a simple "component based" reliability prediction using 217Plus, similar to MIL-HDBK-217 Parts Count Method?

Yes. 217Plus RIACRates models are initially assigned default parameters through the 217Plus software based on the user selected component and environmental category (e.g., ground, airborne, etc.). These defaults were assigned based on a detailed analysis of electrical stress conditions typical of parts in the RIAC database along with the identification of typical environmental use conditions for the broad environmental categories found in MIL-HDBK-217, such as "ground fixed." Any of these defaults can then be changed to tailor the model to better fit the users specific situation. Thus, although the models may initially seem complex a user needs no further information to apply them than would be needed to use the MIL-HDBK-217 Parts Count Method (i.e., part type, quantity and environmental category). As more specific design information becomes available appropriate adjustments can easily be made either at the part level, globally across one branch of the system tree structure or globally for the complete system.


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How does 217Plus differ from traditional reliability prediction models?

Traditional reliability prediction models have been based on the operating time of the part, and the units were typically failures per million (or billion) operating hours. The RIAC models (and the empirical data contained in the 217Plus databases) predict the failure rate in units of failures per million calendar hours. This is necessary because it is the common basis for all failure rate contribution terms used in the model (operating, non-operating, cycling, induced). If an equivalent operating failure rate is desired (in units of failures per million operating hours), the failure rate (Failures/106 calendar hours) can be divided by the duty cycle to yields a failure rate in Failures/106operating hours.

Additionally, resulting assembly and system failure rates are modified by process grading factors for the following failure causes; Parts, Design, Manufacturing, System Management, Wear-out, Induced and No Defect Found. These process grades correspond to the degree to which actions have been taken to mitigate the occurrence of system failure due to these failure categories. This grading is accomplished by assessing the processes in a self audit-like fashion. Any or all failure causes can be assessed and graded. If the user chooses not to address a specific failure cause, the model simply reverts to the default "average" value.

217Plus also allows a user to integrate empirical data taken throughout system development and testing. This data is incorporated using Bayesian techniques that apply the appropriate weights for the different data elements.


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I have a mixture of active-parallel and standby redundancy in major subsystems. Can I calculate the MTBCF of these redundant configurations within the 217Plus process?

No, not at this time. 217Plus currently performs only a series calculation. 217Plus does however interface with commercially available programs that can perform this function.


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Can I import my Bill of Materials (BOM) into 217Plus?

Yes. 217Plus users may import system Bill of Materials (BOMs) directly into the 217Plus component library or into a system assessment structure.


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Can I electronically include 217Plus output reports into my final report?

Yes. 217Plus reports may be exported to several different output report formats including the Microsoft Office suite of products.


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How often is 217Plus Updated?

217Plus update releases vary by the needs and complexity of change requests that come in from you, the users. Currently, we are in an annual maintenance release process.


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How can I get software maintenance updates?

Maintenance updates are free to registered users. These updates are available via download from a secure location available only to registered users.


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What kind of technical support is available?

How do I get Technical Support?

The technical support staff is ready to assist you when ever you have questions, concerns or comments regarding the software. Please contact them using one of the following methods:

  • Post to the 217Plus User's Forum
  • Use the RIAC Inquiry form
  • Fax to RIAC Software at 315.351.4209
  • Call between 8AM to 5PM Eastern US Time zone, Monday through Friday
    In the United States: toll-free 877.363.RIAC (7422)
    Outside the United States +315.351.4200

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When contacting Technical Support, try to have the answers to these questions available to help them assist you in the most efficient manner possible:
  1. Operating system of the computer on which 217Plus resides. (Windows 2000, XP, etc.; English or International version, etc.).
  2. The type of processor in the computer (please include the processor speed).
  3. Any problems that occurred during the installation of 217Plus.
  4. The version of 217Plus being run. Go to the "Help, About" screen in 217Plus.
  5. If a problem has been encountered, what are the exact steps that were performed when the problem was encountered? Please list them in order.
  6. If error messages are being received, please annotate them exactly as they appear on the screen.
  7. Provide the title of the 217Plus screen for more assistance

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How do I order 217Plus?

217Plus can be ordered on-line from the 217Plus Page or you can contact the RIAC order department at 877.363.RIAC (7422) inside the US or +315.351.4200 from outside the US.


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Are site licenses available for 217Plus?

Yes. Multi-license discounts for 217Plus are as follows:


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Can the RIAC assist us by performing a 217Plus analysis?

Yes. The RIAC offers turnkey consulting designed to bring a 217Plus user up-to-speed quickly and efficiently in the use of the 217Plus tool. RIAC 217Plus experts can perform a reliability assessment on your system and provide:

  • A detailed technical report that serves the dual purpose of providing a complete system reliability assessment as well as illustrating the 217Plus analysis process.
  • A copy of the 217Plus Software and analysis files.
For more information Contact the RIAC.

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