ABSTRACT:
Reliability prediction is an important element in the process of designing or selecting equipment. These predictions provide necessary input to system-level reliability models for predicting expected downtime per year and system availability. Issue 4 of SR-332 provides all the tools needed for predicting device and unit hardware reliability, and contains important revisions since the document was last issued.

The Telcordia Reliability Prediction Procedure has a long and distinguished history of use within and outside the telecommunications industry. Issue 4 of SR-332 provides the only hardware reliability prediction procedure developed from the input and participation of a cross-section of major industrial companies. This lends the procedure and the predictions derived from it a high level of credibility free from the bias of any individual supplier or service provider.

Issue 4 of SR-332 contains:

• Recommended methods for predicting device and unit hardware reliability. These techniques estimate the mean failure rate in FITs for electronic equipment. This procedure also documents a recommended method for predicting serial system hardware reliability.
• Tables needed to facilitate the calculation of reliability predictions.
• Revised generic device failure rates in Section 8, based mainly on new data for many components.
• An extended range of complexity for devices, and the addition of new devices.
• Revised environmental factors in Section 9 based on field data and experience.
• Clarification and guidance on items raised by forum participants and by frequently asked questions from users.