Zero-maintenance of electronic systems: Perspectives, challenges, and opportunities. (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McWilliam, Richard; Khan, Samir; Farnsworth, Michael; Bell, Colin
• Is Part Of: Microelectronics and reliability. Volume 85(2018)
• Page Start: 122
• Page End: 139
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: Fault-tolerance -- Self-repair -- Zero-maintenance -- Built-in fault detection -- Self-healing systems; Electronic apparatus and appliances -- Reliability -- Periodicals; Miniature electronic equipment -- Periodicals; Appareils électroniques -- Fiabilité -- Périodiques; Équipement électronique miniaturisé -- Périodiques; Electronic apparatus and appliances -- Reliability; Miniature electronic equipment; Periodicals; 621.3815
• DOI: 10.1016/j.microrel.2018.04.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0026-2714

Abstract

Abstract: Self-engineering systems that are capable of repairing themselves in-situ without the need for human decision (or intervention) could be used to achieve zero-maintenance . This philosophy is synonymous to the way in which the human body heals and repairs itself up to a point. This article synthesises issues related to an emerging area of self-healing technologies that links software and hardware mitigations strategies. Efforts are concentrated on built-in detection, masking and active mitigation that comprises self-recovery or self-repair capability, and has a focus on system resilience and recovering from fault events. Design techniques are critically reviewed to clarify the role of fault coverage, resource allocation and fault awareness, set in the context of existing and emerging printable/nanoscale manufacturing processes. The qualitative analysis presents new opportunities to form a view on the research required for a successful integration of zero-maintenance. Finally, the potential cost benefits and future trends are enumerated. Highlights: Zero-maintenance is achieved through the development of self-healing and self-repairing technologies. It transforms traditional maintenance from "Fail and Fix" to "Predict and Prevent" and ultimately to a "Fail Proof" state. There is a need to develop new technologies for in-built repair to achieve self-engineering at the system level. This article presents the state-of-the-art on design techniques for fault coverage, resource allocation and fault awareness. A zero-maintenance notion is formed on the relative effort needed for successful integration weighed against cost factors.