First-Generation Electronic R&M CAE

First generation reliability and maintainability computer-aided engineering (R&M CAE) tools for electronic development items consist of design analysis functions generally derived from existing CAE simulation and other software. The role of design analysis is to reduce the uncertainty of the estimated R&M predictions by uncovering potential problems in time for them to be corrected. This paper discusses the applicability of design analysis tools throughout the item development cycle. Generic tool types and their parent CAE software are identified and the status of their availability discussed.