COTS and implication on assembly verification and reliability: ESA Approach

ABSTRACT

Cots utilization requires a different approach to assessing the reliability of the assembly processes.  A brief overview of the difference between the high rel with a high rel assembly built to ECSS standard is provided, and the approach identified in the ESA Cots guidelines for assessing the assembly processes is briefly presented.   The results of some activities were this approach is implemented on COTS products are also presented, discussing the issue observed, including manufacturing processes control, workmanship, verification testing, and testing for Sn whiskers of pure Sn finished devices.

Speakers: Carole Villette / Gianni Corocher – ESA

Gianni Corocher: Following 10  years working in the  Materials and process laboratory of Alenia space as a metallurgy specialist, I joined the ESA  Materials and  Process group in 2002, maturing large experience in testing of electronic assemblies for the assessment of solder reliability. I achieved a master’s in Advanced Materials from Surrey University in 2009. Since 2010 I have provided engineering support to ESA projects in the field of assembly reliability, and I am responsible for the verification process of several European assembly lines per the ECSS -Q-ST-70 38.