Maxi, Mini and Micro Stress Screening

Every Maxi, Mini and Micro H & M-Grade module undergoes extensive post-production environmental stress screening (ESS) before shipment to verify compliance with Vicor's high quality and performance standards and to eliminate early life failures. To ensure the most effective routine for precipitating module failures, we continually evaluate our ESS program and make appropriate changes as new data become available or as product improvements occur. After burn-in and temperature cycling, each module undergoes final electrical testing over the specified temperature range. The program is outlined below.

Maxi, Mini and Micro Module Screening H Grade M Grade
Operating Temperature -40°C to +100°C -55°C to +100°C
Storage Temperature -55°C to +125°C -65°C to +125°C
Temperature Cycling
17°C per minute nominal rate of change,
dwell time until product stabilization.
12 cycles
-65°C to +100°C
12 cycles
-65°C to +100°C
Ambient Test @ 25°C Yes Yes
Power Cycling Burn-In
  • Power on 10 min., off 15 min.
  • Module temperature cycling 35°C to 80°C
  • Load up to 100W
  • Module output continuously monitored while enabled
12 hours, 29 cycles 24 hours, 58 cycles
Functional and Parametric ATE Tests
Low & high temp.
-40°C to +100°C -55°C to +100°C
AC Hi-Pot Test Yes Yes
Visual Inspection
Before packing into ESD containers.
Yes Yes

Because operating temperature is one of the most important factors in determining overall module reliability, it is imperative that the user's system design allow for efficient heat transfer from the baseplate to system ambient. Since temperature and failure rate are exponentially related, just a 10°C decrease in baseplate temperature can have a dramatic increase in MTBF. Due to patented zero-voltage/zero-current switching topology, Vicor converters are highly efficient compared to those with more traditional topologies. High efficiency translates into both smaller size and lower temperature rises. To minimize thermal impedance, all major power dissipating components are mounted directly to the baseplate.

Below are representative calculated MTBF values based on MIL-HDBK-217F. If you require information about a specific model, contact Vicor with the model number, expected baseplate temperature, and operating environment to obtain an individually prepared report.

Model No. Baseplate
Temperature
MTBF in 1000 hrs.
G.B. G.F. A.I.C. N.S.
V300C3V3M75BL 25°C 4,450 2,225 1,335 1,313
50°C 2,714 1,357 814 801
65°C 2,091 1,046 627 617
V300B5M200BL 25°C 4,064 2,032 1,219 1,199
50°C 2,479 1,240 744 731
65°C 1,910 995 573 564
V300A12M500BL 25°C 3,095 1,548 929 913
50°C 1,188 944 566 557
65°C 1,455 727 436 429

Fully encapsulated, Vicor Maxi, Mini and Micro modules utilize a proprietary spin fill process that assures complete, void free encapsulation making them suitable for the most harsh environments. In addition to providing mechanical rigidity, the encapsulant is thermally conductive to eliminate hot spots and aid in heat transfer to the baseplate. Two grades, H & M, are available with temperatures to -55°C operating and -65°C storage.

To verify the suitability of Vicor's Maxi, Mini and Micro H & M-Grade products for harsh environments, the H & M-Grade family of modules have been subjected to the environmental testing requirements of MIL-STD-810, MIL-S-901 and MIL-STD-202. These tests, listed below, are performed at an independent laboratory. Additional environmental tests can be done upon individual customer request.

Altitude
MIL-STD-810F, Method 500.2, Procedure I & II, 40,000 ft. and 70,000 ft. Operational.

Explosive Atmosphere
MIL-STD-810F, Method 511.4, Procedure I, Operational.

Vibration
  • MIL-STD-810F, Method 514.5, Procedure I, Category 14, Sine and Random vibration per Table 514.5C for Helicopter AH-6J Main Rotor with overall level of 5.6 grms for 4 hours per axis.
  • MIL-STD-810F, Method 514.5C, General Minimum Integrity Curve per Figure 514.5C-17 with overall level of 7.7 grms for 1 hour per axis.

Shock
  • MIL-STD-810-F, Method 516.5, Procedure I, Functional Shock, 40 G's.
  • MIL-S-901D, Lightweight Hammer Shock, 3 impacts/axis, 1,3,5 ft.
  • MIL-STD-202F, Method 213B, 60 G's, 9ms half sine.
  • MIL-STD-202F, Method 213B, 75 G's, 11ms Saw Tooth Shock.

Acceleration
MIL-STD-810F, Method 513.5, Procedure II, table 513.5-II, Operational, 2-7 G's, 6 directions.

Humidity
MIL-STD-810F, Method 507.4, Procedure I, Cycle I, 240 hrs, 95% RH.

Solder Test
MIL-STD-202F, Method 208, 8 hour aging.

Fungus
MIL-STD-810F, Method 508.4, Section II.

Salt Fog
MIL-STD-810F, Method 509.1.