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227-0377-10L 3 Credits DR , MSC D-ITET
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Physics of Failure and Reliability of Electronic Devices and Systems

Lecturers & Examiners: Marcel Held, Dr. Ivan Shorubalko
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:47:15

Abstract

Understanding the physics of failures and failure mechanisms enables reliability analysis and serves as a practical guide for electronic devices design, integration, systems development and manufacturing. The field gains additional importance in the context of managing safety, sustainability and environmental impact for continuously increasing complexity and scaling-down trends in electronics.

Objective

Provide an understanding of the physics of failure and reliability. Introduce the degradation and failure mechanisms, basics of failure analysis, methods and tools of reliability testing.

Content

Summary of reliability and failure analysis terminology; physics of failure: materials properties, physical processes and failure mechanisms; failure analysis; basics and properties of instruments; quality assurance of technical systems (introduction); introduction to stochastic processes; reliability analysis; component selection and qualification; maintainability analysis (introduction); design rules for reliability, maintainability, reliability tests (introduction).

Resources

Lecture Notes

Comprehensive copy of transparencies

Literature

Reliability Engineering: Theory and Practice, 8th Edition, Springer 2017, DOI 10.1007/978-3-662-54209-5 Reliability Engineering: Theory and Practice, 8th Edition (2017), DOI 10.1007/978-3-662-54209-5

General Information

Language
English
Levels
DR , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
oral 30 minutes

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Physics of Failure and Reliability of Electronic Devices and Systems
  • Thu 14:15-16:00 (ETZ K 91)
2 h weekly

Offered In

  • Electrical Engineering and Information Technology Master
    • Master Studies (Programme Regulations 2018)
      • Computers and Networks (The core courses and specialisation courses below are a selection for students who wish to specialise in the area of "Computers and Networks", see . The individual study plan is subject to the tutor's approval.)
        • Specialisation Courses (These specialisation courses are particularly recommended for the area of "Computers and Networks", but you are free to choose courses from any other field in agreement with your tutor. A minimum of 40 credits must be obtained from specialisation courses during the Master's Programme.)
      • Electronics and Photonics (The core courses and specialisation courses below are a selection for students who wish to specialise in the area of "Electronics and Photonics", see . The individual study plan is subject to the tutor's approval.)
        • Specialisation Courses (These specialisation courses are particularly recommended for the area of "Electronics and Photonics", but you are free to choose courses from any other field in agreement with your tutor. A minimum of 40 credits must be obtained from specialisation courses during the Master's Programme.)
      • Communication (The core courses and specialisation courses below are a selection for students who wish to specialise in the area of "Communication", see . The individual study plan is subject to the tutor's approval.)
        • Specialisation Courses (These specialisation courses are particularly recommended for the area of "Communication", but you are free to choose courses from any other field in agreement with your tutor. A minimum of 40 credits must be obtained from specialisation courses during the Master's Programme.)
    • Master Studies (Programme Regulations 2008)
  • Doctoral Dep. of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (More Information at: )
    • Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Courses (A minimum of 12 ECTS credit points must be obtained during doctoral studies. The courses on offer below are only a small selection out of a much larger available number of courses. Please discuss your course selection with your PhD supervisor.)