3. Reliability

3.1 Hybrid circuit reliability considerations

Hybrid circuits use the same sub-techniques as printed circuits and integrated circuits: wire bonding, soldering, chip transfer, etc. For bare-chip hybrids, eliminating a level of interconnection increases the hybrid's reliability compared with the PCB, which is one of the reasons why hybrids are chosen for high-reliability applications.

Replacing discrete resistors with their printed equivalents is a step in the same direction. Reliability considerations must be integrated into the hybrid design cycle. They cover electrical, mechanical and thermal behavior.

The reliability information to be defined at the outset must include :

• hybrid lifetime;...