Course detail

Reliability of Automotive Electronics

FEKT-MPA-RAEAcad. year: 2025/2026

Theory of reliability is an essential part of the design of systems that has to meet the increased requirements for technical safety. The course "Reliability of automotive electronics" consists of two related parts. In the first part, students will be introduced to theory and mathematical foundations of reliability, quality and maintainability. The methods of evaluating the reliability of simple systems and systems with redundancy will be explained and a detailed description of methods for the reliability evaluation (FTA, Markov method, decomposition) will be presented. Furthermore, a list and description of stress factors (mechanical, chemical, corrosive, EMC, etc.) affecting reliability will be given. Finally, quality control methods and reliability tests will be described.

In the second part of the course, which is oriented more practically, the rules for ensuring the robustness of hardware and software in the design phase and the rules for the selection and testing of suitable components for automotive applications will be presented. Students will be further acquainted with the principles of creating quality systems in organizations and with the reliability standards of automotive electronic systems and with the functional safety of road vehicles. Finally, PCB manufacturing and assembly procedures ensuring high reliability will be explained.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

6

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

prof. Ing. Aleš Prokeš, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Radio Electronics (UREL)

Entry knowledge

Knowledge of the probability theory and mathematical statistics fundamentals  is required.

 

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Students can obtain maximum of 30 points during the semester for active work in computer and numerical exercises. Part of the exercises is one individual project. A maximum of 70 points is awarded for the final exam. The final exam is realized by a combination of written and oral form.
Evaluation of activities is specified by a regulation, which is issued by the lecturer responsible for the course annually. Numerical and computer exercises are mandatory.

Aims

The aim of the course is to theoretically and practically acquaint students with the reliability, quality and maintainability of electronic components and systems with an emphasis on automotive applications, show methods of reliability calculation, explain how to select suitable components, describe methods of testing the reliability of these components and systems, design of robust hardware and software, and finally to familiarize students with the standards of reliability and functional safety of road vehicles.

The graduate of the course is able to: (a) define basic terms in the field of quality and reliability, (b) determine the reliability and quality of complex equipment and systems, (c) perform quality control and reliability tests, (d) design robust hardware and quality software for automotive applications, (e) develop systems of quality and apply reliability standards to automotive electronic systems. 

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

BIROLINI, A., Reliability Engineering, Theory and Practice, 8th Edition, Berlin: Springer Heidelberg, 2017. ISBN: 978-3-662-54208-8 (EN)
DHILLON, B.S., Reliability, Quality, and Safety for Engineers, Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2005. ISBN 978-0367393601 (EN)

Recommended reading

HNATEK, E. R., Practical Reliability of Electronic Equipment and Products, New York: Marcel Dekker, 2003. ISBN: 978-0824743543 (EN)
MONTGOMERY, D. C., Introduction to Statistical Quality Control 8th Edition, New York: John Wiley & Sons Inc, 2019. ISBN: 978-1-119-39930-8 (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme MPA-AEE Master's 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Aleš Prokeš, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  • Reliability and quality of simple and complex devices and systems.
  • Reliability of repairable systems, static and dynamic reliability evaluation models.
  • Reliability evaluation methods, failure models (FTA, Markov model, decomposition).
  • Stress factors (mechanical, chemical, corrosive, EMC, voltage swing, etc.)
  • Statistical quality control and reliability tests.
  • Rules for ensuring hardware reliability, design of robust automotive Electronics.
  • Rules for ensuring software quality, managing software robustness and verifying its reliability.
  • Components for automotive applications, standard AEC-Q100.
  • Qualification tests for components, testing of integrated circuits for automotive applications.
  • Creating quality systems in organizations, reliability standards for automotive electronic systems.
  • Vehicle life, functional safety of road vehicles ISO 26262.
  • Design and production of PCBs, materials and soldering processes in the context of assembly reliability.

 

 

Fundamentals seminar

13 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Aleš Prokeš, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  • Methods to ensure hardware and software robustness in the design phase.
  • Methods of selecting and testing suitable components for automotive applications.
  • Principles of creating quality systems in organizations.
  • Standards of reliability of electronic systems of cars and with functional safety of road vehicles.
  • PCB manufacturing and assembly procedures ensuring high reliability.
 

Exercise in computer lab

13 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Aleš Prokeš, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  • Simulation of reliability and quality of device and systems.
  • Static and dynamic reliability evaluation models.
  • Failure models (FTA, Markov model, decomposition).
  • Simulation of stress factors.