Life Cycle Of Electronic System

GLOSSARY

EOL                 End-of-life

PDNs              Product discontinuance notices

LTB                 Last-time-buy

BOM             Bill of Materials

FFF                 Form-fit-function

DRAMs          Dynamic random access memories

DTL                 Diode transistor logic

RTL                 Resistor transistor logic

ABSTRACT

Obsolescence of electronic parts is a major contributor to the life cycle cost of long- field life systems such as avionics. A methodology to forecast life cycles of electronic parts is presented, in which both years to obsolescence and life cycle stages are predicted. The methodology embeds both market and technology factors based on the dynamic assessment of sales data. The predictions enabled from the models developed in this paper allow engineers to effectively manage the introduction and on-going use of long field-life products based on the projected life cycle of the parts incorporated into the products. Application of the methodology to integrated circuits is discussed and obsolescence predictions for DRAMs are demonstrated. The goal is to significantly reduce design iterations, inventory expenses, sustainment costs, and overall life cycle product costs

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COVER PAGE

TITLE PAGE

APPROVAL PAGE

DEDICATION

ACKNOWELDGEMENT

GLOSSARY

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE

1.0      INTRODUCTION

1.1      BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

• OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
• PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
• BENEFIT OF THE STUDY
• SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
• SCOPE OF THE STUDY
• APPLICATION OF THE STUDY

CHAPTER TWO

2.0      LITERATURE REVIEW

• INTRODUCTION
• LIFE CYCLE STAGES
• LIFE STAGES COST

CHAPTER THREE

3.0     METHODOLOGY

3.1     LIFE CYCLE FORECASTING METHODO

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0      DISCUSSION

CHAPTER FIVE

• SUMMARY
• REFERENCES

CHAPTER ONE

1.0                                                                     INTRODUCTION

The electronics industry is one of the most dynamic sectors of the world economy. In the United States, this industry has grown at a rate three times that of the overall economy in the last ten years. The semiconductor industry is now number one in value-added to the U.S. economy, and the computer and consumer industry segments dwarf most other market segments. For example, Intel’s market capitalization alone was higher than the three largest U.S. automakers combined [1].

The rapid growth of the electronics industry has spurred dramatic changes in the electronic parts, which comprise the products and systems that the public buys. Increases in speed, reductions in feature size and supply voltage, and changes in interconnection and packaging technologies are becoming events that occur nearly monthly. Consequently, many of the electronic parts that compose a product have a life cycle that is significantly shorter than the life cycle of the product. The part becomes obsolete when it is no longer manufactured, either because demand has dropped to low enough levels that it is not practical for manufacturers to continue to make it, or because the materials or technologies necessary to produce it are no longer available. The public’s demand for products with increased warranties only makes the obsolescence problem worse. Therefore, unless the system being designed has a short life (manufacturing and field), or the product is the driving force behind the part’s market (e.g., personnel computers driving the microprocessor market), there is a high likelihood of a life cycle mismatch between the parts and the product.

The life cycle mismatch problem requires that during design, engineers be cognizant of which parts will be available and which parts may be obsolete during a product’s manufacturing run. This problem is prevalent in many avionics and military systems, where systems may encounter obsolescence problems before being fielded and often experience obsolescence problems during field life [2]. These problems are exacerbated by manufacturing that may take place over long periods of time, the high cost of system qualification or certification that make design refreshes using newer parts an extremely expensive undertaking. However, obsolescence problems are not the sole domain of avionics and military systems. Consumer products, such as pagers, are divided into two groups – 1) cutting edge (latest and greatest technology), and 2) workhorse, minimal feature set products (such as the pagers used to tell restaurant patrons that their table is ready). While the first set is unlikely to ever encounter obsolescence problems,  the second set often does. Because OEMs require long lifetimes out of workhorse products, critical parts often become obsolete before the last product is manufactured.

If a product requires a long application life, then an open architecture, or a parts obsolescence management strategy may be required. Many obsolescence mitigation approaches have been proposed and are being used. These approaches include [3], lifetime or last time buys (buying and storing enough parts to meet the system’s forecasted lifetime requirements or requirements until a redesign is possible), part substitution (using a different part with identical or similar form fit and function), and redesign (upgrading the system to make use of newer parts). Several other mitigation approaches are also practical in some situations: aftermarket sources (third parties that continue to provide the part after it’s manufacturer has obsoleted it), emulation (using parts with identical form fit and function that are fabricated using newer technologies), reclaim (using parts salvaged from other products), and up-rating. Up-rating is the process of using parts outside of their manufacturer specified environmental range (usually at higher temperatures than rated by the manufacturer) [4]. Up-rating is becoming a common mitigation approach because the obsolete part is often the “MIL-SPEC” part while the commercial version of the part continues to exist. In some cases, the best obsolescence mitigation approach for OEMs who needs a broader environmental range part (often automotive, avionics, and military) is to “uprate” the commercial version of the part.

Earlier works have concentrated on understanding the product life cycle in terms of factors including product life cycle stages, product life, extension of product life, and product marketing issues [5]. The factor of obsolescence is not dwelt upon, but in the case of products, obsolescence may not be an issue depending on what the definition of a product is. For example, if a company’s product is a sub-assembly, then obsolescence of that product, which may be due to obsolescence of a critical part, may affect the end- product life. Between part obsolescence and product obsolescence, part obsolescence needs more critical attention as the root of obsolescence at any product level, is the obsolescence of a part.

1.2                                            OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

A part becomes obsolete when it is no longer manufactured, either because demand has dropped to low enough levels that it is not practical for manufacturers to continue to make it, or because the materials or technologies necessary to produce it are no longer available. The main aim of this work is to study a method of predicting the year of obsolescence of an electronics system.

1.3                                             PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The main purpose of this study is to significantly reduce design iterations, inventory expenses, sustainment costs, and overall life cycle product costs.

1.4                                                   BENEFITS OF THE STUDY
1. Helps planning for system redesigns and periodic upgrades accordingly

2. Reduce design reiterations and thus reduce new product development costs
3. Minimize problems associated with EOL components in the assemblies
4. Avail smooth operations and unit cost savings
5. Productivity is sustained and improved
6. Product development cycle time accelerated by improving productivity of the affected teams7. Major supply chain disruption and corresponding expenses reduced.

1.5                                                  SIGNIFICACE OF THE STUDY

Studying the life cycle of electronics system help producers of electronics system to predict to obsolescence of the electronics system. This study help producers of electronics system to calculate the warranty year of their electronics. Life cycle of an electronics system provides a timely analytical framework and methodology for conducting systems analyses to determine the most productive, least costly steps for improvement. Life cycle of an electronics system involves the cradle-to-grave examination of a product, from raw material extraction and manufacturing through distribution, use, and final disposal. This methodology is used to quantify and calculate the resources and energy used, and emissions and wastes generated, by the system. Internationally, Life cycle of an electronics system has gained recognition as the most comprehensive methodology of its kind for assessing environmental burdens. Life cycle of an electronics system studies are proving extremely useful to companies seeking to optimize product and packaging design decisions from an environmental perspective.

1.6                                                           SCOPE OF THE STUDY

Systems, devices, and components gets fast obsolete in the fast changing technology world. The life of the products and the components vary due to various economical and technological reasons.

Finding an obsolete part is near impossible task. The failure in finding parts delays the whole project. The discontinuation of manufacturing by the supplier for an important part causes significant loss to the user. This drives the concept of storing, updating and reviewing the component information especially about the life-cycle data, availability, alternates, etc., periodically. The management of components when they are active is far easier, cost-effective and simpler than they are obsolete and hard to locate. Creating an alternate plan for obsolete components and implementing the plan is many times as good as re-designing the product again with new components.

1.7                                                    APPLICATION OF THE STUDY

1. producer: this study of life cycle of an electronics system is useful to producer – to monitor the obsolescence of the electronics system , it help them to monitor electronics to produce at the right time.
2. Supplier: supplier use this study to know the system that is still moving in the market.

iii. Consumers: help to avoid using obsolete electronics system.