Combining methods to predict failures in automotive power electronics

Powerful electronics will only be successful if users can depend on reliable functionality, quality, and lifetime. As a partner in the Europe-wide research initiative Intelligent Reliability 4.0 (iRel40), QRTECH are contributing to the target to increase customer satisfaction and sustainable management of our natural resources.

We are all heavily dependent on electronics in our daily lives; traffic and mobility, industrial production, energy, communication, and the healthcare system are based on highly complex electronic components and systems. Reliability and customer satisfaction must always be guaranteed, and possible problems detected early on.

The Europe-wide research initiative Intelligent Reliability 4.0 (iRel40) aims to improve the reliability of electronic systems and microelectronic components by reducing the failure rate. iRel40 is coordinated by Infineon Technologies AG and involves 75 science and industry partners from 13 countries.

QRTECH are contributing to the project by developing a method to combine two technologies, AI algorithms and Physics-of-failure, into a new way to predict failures in automotive power electronics. This enables more accurate preventive maintenance and reduce number of critical failures. We also look into a safety solution for AI algorithms, that enables implementation in safety critical applications. The target systems are transistors operating in DC/DC converters, vital for the development of electric and hybrid vehicles.

The pilot, conducted in close collaboration with RISE, EDR Medeso, and Scania, is expected to not only improve reliability of the power electronics, but also to save resources, by eliminating unnecessary maintenance.

The Europe-wide research iRel40 aims to improve the reliability of electronic systems and microelectronic components by reducing failure rates along the entire value chain. The project is divided into eight work packages that deal with aspects such as requirements, theoretical principles, materials, test methods, and pilot applications. iRel40 is coordinated by Infineon Technologies AG and involves 75 science and industry partners from 13 countries.

www.irel40.eu