PROGNOSTICS DEMONSTRATION OF ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS SUBJECTED TO VIBRATION ENVIRONMENT OF A LIGHT MILITARY TACTICAL VEHICLE

Abstract

A demonstration of the Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) method in a military vehicle environment was performed. The purpose of the demonstration is to show rapid and cost effective means to increase reliability and effectiveness of in-cabin equipment through PHM implementation. The PHM method allows for prediction of damage accumulation in a system while in its operating environment. Prediction is achieved by monitoring and assessing appropriate product parameters.

An experimental setup to perform in-cabin accelerated testing on printed circuit boards (PCB) was developed. Strain, acceleration, continuity, and GPS data were recorded during testing. Using recorded data, life prediction with cycle counting and PSD load blocking techniques was demonstrated for BGA components. A limited set of terrain and loading conditions was characterized using Root Mean Square (RMS) and Power Spectral Density (PSD).