Free MTBF Calculator

ALD Free MTBF Calculator is a free Reliability Prediction software tool for calculating MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) and Failure Rate of electronic components and systems.

The software provides a simple and effective way to perform reliability predictions using internationally recognized reliability prediction standards. It supports 26 different reliability prediction methods, including MIL-HDBK-217, FIDES, Siemens SN 29500, Telcordia and IEC 62380.

Free MTBF Calculator is based on the reliability prediction technology used in RAM Commander, ALD’s professional RAMS software solution for Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety analysis.

5 Steps of Reliability Prediction and MTBF Calculation

1. Select the Reliability Prediction Standard
Choose the reliability prediction methodology appropriate for your application, such as MIL-HDBK-217, FIDES, Siemens SN 29500, Telcordia or IEC 62380.

2. Define the Component
Select or define the electronic component to be analyzed and enter the required technical characteristics.

3. Define Operating and Environmental Conditions
Specify the applicable operating, environmental and stress parameters required by the selected reliability prediction standard.

4. Calculate Failure Rate
The software calculates the expected Failure Rate according to the selected reliability prediction methodology and component parameters.

5. Obtain MTBF Results
The calculated Failure Rate is used to determine the corresponding MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures), providing an estimate of the expected reliability performance.

This simple process allows engineers to perform preliminary reliability assessments and compare the expected reliability performance of electronic components and systems.

Integrated Reliability Data Component Library

The software includes an integrated reliability data component library that simplifies the preparation of Reliability Prediction analyses.
Engineers can select components and define the parameters required by the chosen reliability prediction methodology, including operating conditions, environmental conditions and applicable stress factors.
The component library helps reduce the time required to perform MTBF and Failure Rate calculations while ensuring consistency with the selected reliability prediction standard.

Case Study: MTBF Variance in High-Heat Industrial Sensors

Field Validation & Reliability Prediction Analysis – Case Study by ALD Reliability Engineering Division

Operating temperature can have a significant impact on the reliability and expected lifetime of electronic components. MTBF calculations performed under nominal environmental conditions may therefore provide results that are not representative of equipment operating in high-temperature environments.

To evaluate the effect of thermal stress, ALD reliability specialists monitored 1,200 piezoelectric sensors over 24 months of continuous operation, comparing nominal MTBF values with actual field performance.

Reliability Engineering Takeaway

The field results demonstrate how strongly operating temperature can affect actual reliability performance. At the most severe temperature condition, the measured MTBF was approximately 23 times lower than the nominal datasheet value.

For equipment operating under significant thermal stress, reliability predictions should therefore account for the applicable environmental and temperature factors defined by methodologies such as MIL-HDBK-217F Notice 2, Telcordia SR-332 and FIDES.

This example highlights the importance of considering realistic operating conditions when performing MTBF and Failure Rate predictions.