Design Validator | Failure Analysis | Test Designer

Failure Analysis
The failure analysis features included in ICAP/4 version 8.x add powerful and time saving functions which are invaluable to design, test, and reliability engineers. You can select any part and choose from a predefined failure mode list or define your own failure modes. ICAP/4 will automatically alter the simulation model for your part without changing the appearance or connectivity of the schematic. There’s no need to edit any SPICE subcircuits or to insert wire shorts, resistive opens, etc. in the schematic. ICAP/4 takes care of all of that for you. When combined with Design Validator you can easily analyze the effects of hard faults, out-of-tolerance conditions, and anomalous device behaviors. With this knowledge, you can define test requirements, strategies and diagnostics.

Uses and benefits
  • Simulate failures, out-of-tolerance conditions, or other user-defined part behavior (“what-if” scenarios)
  • Provides a basis for test software development
  • Helps troubleshoot circuit malfunctions
  • Failures can be invoked during any SPICE analysis
  • Select Failure Mode dialog allows you to quickly select any defined fault for any component and run a simulation
  • When linked with Design Validator™, you can perform “what-if” scenarios and make multiple automated measurements
  • When linked with Design Validator™, you also get a report of the pass/fail statistics and a visual test status meter

Fault Mode Definition
  • Special fault definition dialog contains predefined part failure modes as per the CASS (Consolidated Automatic Support System) standard
  • A variety of faults can be defined and inserted in any analysis
  • Failure Parameters dialog allows you to define open, short, and stuck circuit resistance values
  • User-defined faults can include expressions of time and other circuit parameters
  • All SPICE attributes, including component values, model parameters, and subcircuit connections, can be faulted or set out-of-tolerance