Combining sneak circuit analysis and failure modes and effects analysis

The feasibility of integrating failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) and sneak circuit analysis (SCA) into a comprehensive reliability analysis technique is examined especially from the perspective of automation. FMEA looks at a system's strengths and weaknesses; SCA looks for latent circuit conditions which may lead to unplanned or unexpected modes of operation. The goals of the two techniques complement each other and their combination results in a more comprehensive analysis than either technique alone can achieve. The rich collection of heuristics used in SCA can be applied to design validation and also used as guidelines at various stages of system design. At both the functional level and the component level, the combined analysis is done using the same circuit representation as for the SCA and for the FMEA, and draws on the same database.< >