A Temperature-Cycled Operational Screen for Automotive Electronic Control Units

This paper will describe the use of a “Temperature-Cycled Operational Screen” in the high volume manufacturing process of an OEM electronic engine control unit as part of an overall reliability program. This thermal burn-in was effective at identifying intermittent component and workmanship defects, and it was instrumental in reducing the product warranty failure rate. This screen was effective through use of static and dynamic thermal stress and by use of full operational testing with power cycling. Because of its relatively short duration, it was possible to put the screen into a production sequence.