University of Saskatchewan

Department of Electrical Engineering

EE 445
Assignment #4
Instructor: R. Karki
_____________________________________________________________________________
Problem #1
For the quad system shown in Figure 1, calculate the improvement factor (I.F.) over a single
diode. The improvement factor can be defined as,
I.F. = Probability of failure of one diode
Probability of failure of a quad
The following data of the system is given:
Probability of normal operation of a diode, Pn = 0.97.
Probability of open circuit of a diode, Po= 0.01.
Probability of short circuit of a diode, Ps = 0.02.

Figure.1

Problem #2
A communication system shown in Figure 2 has the following average failure rates:
Component
Transmitter
Transmission Link 1
Transmission link 2
Receiver

f/1000 hr
0.010
0.015
0.027
0.011
Transmission Link 1
Receiver

Transmitter
Transmission Link 2
Figure. 2

What is the probability of the communication system still operating at the end of a 1000 hour
period? If transmission link 2 is removed from service, what is the probability of the system
operating for the same period?

Problem #3
Calculate the reliability of the system in Fig. 3 for a 100 hour mission. Identical components are
identified with the same number. Assume perfect switching for the standby component, and the
following failure rate data for the system components:

1 = 12 10 5 f / hr , 2 = 2 10 4 f / hr , 3 = 1 10 5 f / hr
4 = 5 = 10 4 f / hr , 6 = 5 10 5 f / hr , 7 = 10 4 f / hr

2/3

7
Figure. 3

Problem #4
A communication system has on the average 26 component failures per year of the same plug-in
element. If it takes 2 weeks to have a new component delivered, how many spares should be kept
to maintain 90% (or more) probability of system success.
Problem #5
Calculate the reliability of the system shown in Figure 4 for a 1000 hr mission. The mission
starts at T=1000 hr in the life of the system.
Component
Useful failure rate, f/hr
Mean wear out time, hr
Standard deviation, hr

1
1*10-5
800
400

2
10*10-5
1600
600

Figure 4

3
2*10-4
5000
200

4
5*10-5
6000
1000