Product Specification  
					TXS Series: 75…120 A DC-DC Converters  
					36 to 75 V DC Input, 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 2.0 and 2.5 V Output, 90 W to 250 W  
					The converter itself does not set the derating as for  
					Alternatively to this standardised calculation  
					methods, some companies use models based on  
					experience, returns and field data. This makes it  
					very difficult to compare reliability data from  
					different manufacturers. Especially if models from  
					the MIL-HDBK are used for components with good  
					reliability data only, and “in house” models for all  
					the others.  
					example the output current limit. It is the  
					responsibility of the end user to decide how much  
					current/power can be drawn in his design or how  
					much airflow is required, in order to ensure reliable  
					operation in the field.  
					Calculator  
					Instead of using the graphs, the required airflow or  
					the allowed output current can be calculated with a  
					automated, easy to use tool on the TXS Product  
					CD ROM. The tool uses interpolation between  
					values and also gives a prediction of the expected  
					life time for the chosen operating condition. 120A  
					units are not jet included.  
					MIL HDBK 217F Notice 2  
					There is an ongoing discussion about the best  
					suited method for reliability prediction.  
					The MIL-HDBK is the most elaborate, well  
					documented and most widely used tool for  
					predicting the component reliability. MIL models  
					are better suited to describing the component  
					loading in high density converters, than other  
					models. Belcore models for example were  
					developed for predicting the reliability of standard  
					telecom equipment, working at much lower  
					operating temperatures.  
					The problem with the MIL HDBK is, that the  
					models are often based on old data, neglecting  
					component improvements achieved in the market.  
					This leads to pessimistic results. Bad prediction  
					results, related design restrictions and resulting  
					higher product costs were the main reasons why  
					the US government recently cancelled the use of  
					the MIL-HDBK 217 in army specifications.  
					Important Reminder  
					Calculations and graphs only give a rough  
					guide to the required cooling. The specific card  
					and rack design can vary a lot, which makes it  
					almost impossible to predict the exact  
					temperatures of a Brick.  
					It is good practice to verify the thermal  
					performance in worst case operating conditions  
					with all obstructions in place at highest ambient  
					temperature before the card design is finished.  
					Reliability  
					For power supplies however there is no real  
					alternative for predicting reliability in sight.  
					Because it is easy to use and has models for all  
					components included, the MIL-HDBK-217 is still  
					the best method to get a quantitative measure of  
					the reliability.  
					The reliability of TXS converters was verified using  
					the MIL-HDBK and the Physics of failure approach.  
					Reliability Prediction  
					Reliability prediction is a calculation method, based  
					on the analysis of component failure rates of a  
					product or a system, with the target to predict the  
					rate at which the product will fail. It also pinpoints  
					areas for potential reliability improvements.  
					Physics of failure (PoF)  
					Because of the limitations of reliability prediction,  
					PoF is used as a second tool for a qualitative  
					measure of the reliability.  
					A reliability prediction gives not an exact value  
					for an individual module, but a statistical  
					estimate for an equipment population in the  
					field.  
					The basis of the analysis is a general reliability  
					prediction model, which describes how the  
					components react to electrical, thermal and  
					mechanical stress.  
					The Physics of failure approach defines a set of  
					specific screening and stress tests to detect  
					possible failure mechanism, to analyse the stress  
					response of the modules and verify their safety  
					margins.  
					The TXS CD ROM contains the results from a  
					“Design Maturity” and a “Design Integrity” test as a  
					part of the PoF analysis.  
					There are several calculation models available:  
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					MIL-HDBK 217-F Notice 2  
					Belcore TR-332  
					PRISM  
					Background information about reliability prediction  
					and detection methods, the assumptions for the  
					calculation with the MIL HDBK and detailed results  
					can be found in the “reliability report for TXS DC-  
					DC Converters” on the TXS product CD ROM.  
					CNET RDF  
					REV. FEB 18, 2003  
					25 of 27  
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