Worst Case Circuit Analysis

Be Prepared for Anything with Worst Case Circuit Analysis by Right Paradigm Consulting

Worst case circuit analysis with Paradigm Consulting helps you follow the number one rule for any kind of engineering or product creation: to always plan for the worst possible outcome. If you can work through the most difficult situation, you’ll be prepared for anything.

Essentially, worst case circuit analysis (WCCA) screens a design to test for potential risks before the product continues development or goes to market. During WCCA, Paradigm will test circuits under the worst case scenario, such as extreme environmental or operating conditions. Each worst case circuit analysis is customized for the device’s worst possible conditions. In some cases, this could mean testing a plane or drone during high temperatures or stormy weather or running a new product through testing with external stressors like humidity or radiation. WCCA tests if the circuit and unit can withstand stress to perform as designed.

Not every aspect of a design needs to go through WCCA, but it is highly encouraged for all parts and circuits that are critical to the safety and financial success of the project. Worst case circuit analysis points out things that need to be improved or completely redesigned before the product can potentially pass safety tests and be manufactured. WCCA puts defective circuits into two categories: out-of-tolerance limits, in which a part continues to work properly but breaks down over time, and catastrophic failures, in which the part doesn’t work properly. In order to find the right recommendation, reach out for the expertise of professionals at Paradigm.

One of the most important elements of WCCA is creating a part characteristic database, which contains all of the qualities and variations for each aspect of the circuit. Breaking things down even further allows our testers to know the worst case scenario for each part of the circuit to ensure each part—and therefore, the whole—are working properly. This is vital when working with defense, aerospace, and commercial circuits.

Three Methods of WCCA

The first is extreme value analysis, or EVA. This option is the best initial WCCA approach and is the easiest to apply for variation extremes and circuit parameters. EVA also comes with high confidence of the results. However, if the circuit fails during EVA, there isn’t enough data to assess the risk, which requires starting over completely.

Root-Sum-Squared, or RSS, provides a more realistic estimate of worst case performance. This method provides an estimate of what percentage of units are expected to pass or fail. However, the RSS method makes assumptions about the circuits that could lead to inaccurate results in some situations.

Monte Carlo Analysis, or MCA, provides the most realistic estimate of worst-case performance, as well as additional information to support the risk assessment. However, it can be complicated and take a long time.

Contact the Professionals for Your WCCA Needs for Success

In order to ensure an accurate WCCA using the correct method for the circuit, turn to the professionals at Paradigm. Our satisfied customers across multiple industries know that Paradigm is the best way to eliminate risk and perform an accurate and efficient circuit analysis.