Field MTBF Numbers: What Do They Really Mean?

Overview

MTBF is an acronym for Mean Time Between Failures. In general, a higher MTBF number indicates a more reliable product. Beyond this simple definition, you?ll find a wide variety of special meanings. In the military/aerospace industries, MTBF is defined by a specific set of calculations. The formula for system longevity is based on the thermal, electrical and environmental stresses on each component. The engineer evaluates the components and subassemblies in a particular product by these formulas and produces an overall number called calculated MTBF.