Embedded Glossary
Are you unfamiliar with a technical term in connection with embedded technologies, or do you need a reliable definition? In the TQ glossary on this topic you will find explanations of frequently used terms from our business areas.
The term accreditation (Latin accredere, to believe) is used in various areas to describe the fact that a generally recognised authority certifies the fulfilment of a particular (useful) quality by another. Conformity assessment bodies are organisations that provide the following conformity assessment services: Testing and calibration, inspection, certification of management systems, persons (personal certification in terms of proof of qualification) and products.
A certification body is accredited when an accreditation body formally confirms that the certification body fulfils the conditions set out in e.g. standards DIN EN ISO/IEC 17021, DIN EN ISO/IEC 17024 and DIN EN ISO/IEC 17065 for the performance of assessments of management systems (e.g. quality management or environmental management), products or persons.
A testing or calibration laboratory is accredited if it meets the requirements of the DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 standard, for example. For this purpose, the laboratory is assessed by assessors of an independent accreditation body which fulfils the DIN EN ISO/IEC 17011 standard and monitored by surveillance assessments at intervals of one to one and a half years. An inspection body is accredited if it meets the requirements of the standard e.g. ISO/IEC 17020 and an accreditation body formally confirms this.
Advance quality planning is an essential part of quality management. In order to be able to perform all tasks during the development of new products and processes as well as changes or improvements in a target-oriented and low-risk manner, appropriate quality management guidelines must be observed.
The advance quality planning process covers all steps from development to series production and is intended to ensure that products and purchased parts are available at the right time, in the right place, in the right quantity and quality.
Device with high-performance sensors and camera systems for visible inspection of modules.
The ARM Cortex™-A9 MPCore is a 32-bit multicore processor with up to 4 cache-coherent Cortex A9 cores, each implementing the ARMv7 instruction set (source: Wikipedia).
If your company has already implemented in-house obsolescence management, we will be happy to support you with an audit. This will be individually tailored to your industry and your company and carried out by our experienced Obsolescence Managers. Following the analysis and evaluation of the audit, we work with you to develop measures to optimize your obsolescence management.
Active component with flat connection grid and solder balls.
Inspection of an assembly with the aid of boundary-scan-capable components on this assembly.
You distinguish:
Contract manufacturing of electronic assemblies and systems (see also EMS).
Certification (from Latin "certus" = determined, certain, safe and "facere" = to make, create, manufacture) is a process by means of which compliance with certain requirements is demonstrated.
Certification is a sub-process of conformity assessment. Certifications are often issued for a limited period by independent certification bodies such as DQS, TÜV or DEKRA and the standards are independently or proprietarily controlled.
A code of conduct – a collection of guidelines and regulations that companies impose on themselves as part of a voluntary commitment. The formulated behavioural instructions serve as a fundamental orientation for employees and other stakeholders in order to channel desired behaviour or to avoid undesired actions. The Code of Conduct is often a component of CSR strategies (corporate social responsibility).
All companies in the TQ Group are clearly committed to their social responsibility as part of our global activities. We use the "ZVEI Code of Conduct on Corporate Social Responsibility" (CoC) and our employees' declaration of commitment as a basis for this.
Embedded modules are ready-made microcontroller modules that provide all the functionalities of a computer in a very small space. TQ offers embedded modules (TQ Minimodules) with Freescale, Intel, AMD, VIA or Infineon processors (Power Architecture™, ARM, ColdFire®, x86 and C166).
Conflict minerals are the raw materials tin, gold, tantalum and tungsten from the Democratic Republic of Congo and its neighbouring states.
Some of these raw materials are mined under inhumane working conditions, including forced labour by children, and the raw materials extracted are sold cheaply on the grey market. The proceeds are used to finance weapons and terrorism.
Conflict minerals are the raw materials tin, gold, tantalum and tungsten from the Democratic Republic of Congo and its neighbouring states.
Some of these raw materials are mined under inhumane working conditions, including forced labour by children, and the raw materials extracted are sold cheaply on the grey market. The proceeds are used to finance weapons and terrorism.
The term Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) describes the voluntary contribution of business to sustainable development that goes beyond the legal requirements.
We would like to contribute to the fact that all people on earth can lead a dignified life in an intact nature and that is how we understand CSR.
In order to live up to this responsibility within the framework of our companies and the value-added chains that supply them, we are guided by the Berlin CSR Consensus of 25 June 2018.
DfM stands for "Design for Manufacturing" and means that an assembly or a device is continuously developed and designed in such a way that it can be optimally manufactured from a cost and quality point of view.
In "Design for Manufacturing", the following aspects in particular must be taken into account:
DFR stands for "Design for Reliability"and means that an assembly or device is consistently designed and built to provide high reliability, low failure rate and long life.
In "Design for Reliability", the following aspects in particular must be taken into account:
DFS stands for"Design for Service" and means that an assembly or device is developed and designed to be service-friendly.
The following aspects in particular must be taken into account when designing for service:
DfT stands for "Design for Testability" and means that an assembly or a device is continuously developed and designed in such a way that it can be optimally tested from a cost and quality point of view..
In "Design for Testability", the following aspects in particular must be taken into account and implemented, where possible and appropriate:
DTC/DFC stands"Design to Cost / Design for Cost effectivity":
The following aspects in particular must be taken into account in the "design to cost" process:
The Packaging Act is implemented in Germany via the dual system. The aim is to strengthen environmentally friendly packaging and significantly increase the recycling rates of raw materials. Manufacturers who place goods on the market for end consumers must register in the LUCID packaging register and report the corresponding quantities of packaging via service providers participating in the dual system in order to ensure environmentally friendly recycling and disposal.
TQ offers a modular embedded PC platform based on COM Express as part of the COMSys Embedded Building Blocks initiative. The COM Express platform is a modular embedded PC platform that is designed to meet the requirements of both the consumer and industrial sectors.
System in which embedded modules are used, for example in TQ industrial PCs.
In contrast to reverse engineering, a functional replica without existing documents of the obsolete assembly is carried out here.
Emulation results in a comparable replacement unit, but not a 1:1 replica.
Condition in which technical devices do not influence each other undesirably.
The aim of energetic performance is to make the results of management with regard to energy efficiency and savings transparent by means of measured values.
Energy Performance Indicators (EnPI) are used to anchor energy targets at the highest corporate level, continuously monitor improvements in relation to the initial energy base and take appropriate corrective action in the event of deviations in order not to jeopardise the target.
Ultimately, the focus is on the sustainable improvement of energy performance and thus on increasing energy efficiency.
The aim of Environmental performance is to make the results of the management of environmental aspects transparent by means of measured values. So-called "Key Performance Indicators" (KPI) are used to anchor environmental targets at the highest corporate level, monitor them on an ongoing basis and take appropriate corrective action in the event of deviations from the target in order not to jeopardize target achievement.
Ultimately, the focus is on the sustainable improvement of environmental performance and thus the reduction of environmental impacts through entrepreneurial action.
Articles that are no longer manufactured and are no longer available.
The EOL/PCN service includes the structured handling of Product Change Notifications (PCN) and Product Discontinuance Notifications (PDN) or End-of-life Notifications (EOL) as a defined process. The notifications are made available to you and individually coordinated with you to secure the system.
Checking the function of individual sub-areas as well as the complete assembly (similar to their later operating conditions).
Checking the correct processing and partially the parameters and function of the components on an assembly.
Human beings operate machines by means of human-machine interfaces. HMI are, for example, the computer keyboard or a steering wheel.
Checking the correct processing and partially the parameters and function of the components on an assembly.
The Integrated Management System combines methods and instruments for compliance with quality, environmental and occupational safety requirements in a uniform structure. Our integrated QM system meets the requirements,
in certain areas,
Computers that are designed for tough industrial use. TQ Industrial PCs stand out from the crowd:
Within the scope of the Last Time / Life Time Buy, original components with the original specifications can be purchased for the last time before the end of production and removal from the product portfolio.
The Last Time Buy can also be referred to as a bridge buy and illustrates the bridging until the next refresh of the assembly.
In the lifetime buy, on the other hand, the quantities to be purchased are adjusted accordingly so that stocks can be maintained until the complete end of the service life of the module. This may require special storage to maintain functionality and usability (see "Long-term storage").
Arrangement of components and conductor paths in or on an electronic assembly (circuit board unbundling).
Life Cycle Costing (LCC) allows products to be compared in terms of their economic efficiency over the planned period of use (= life cycle), taking into account all relevant costs (including acquisition, operating, maintenance, auxiliary material and disposal costs as well as attributable external effects).
By including all cost elements combined with the consideration of the total useful life, this method can also be used to promote environmentally friendly products and thus contribute to a reduction of environmental pollution.
At our locations in Delling and Durach, we offer you cost-effective storage of electronic components and assemblies in nitrogen cabinets. A constant atmosphere in the nitrogen cabinets is ensured by a constant control of temperature and humidity, whereby an extension of the functionality and processability of your components and assemblies can be realized.
In order to monitor the risk potential of endangered components, Monitoring is used. Parts lists or selected components are loaded into a global database, and you are automatically informed of product changes and discontinuations by e-mail.
For each bill of materials, a separate recipient group for the life cycle messages can be set up, so that individual processing is possible in your company. When commissioning monitoring, you also have the option of defining which categories of automatically generated messages you would like to receive.
Together with our development department, we also offer you the complete development of a new product from the point of view of long-term availability. Based on your specifications, all activities between our development and obsolescence management department are carried out and you benefit in both areas from our many years of know-how.
Outsourcing of company tasks to service companies.
A Obsolescence Management Plan (OMP) defines the activities to be applied to mitigate the effects of obsolescence at all stages of the product life cycle. Timing and milestone planning are included in the OMP.
As a result, the OMP also allows the cost of maintaining the availability of assemblies or systems to be determined over the pre-defined period. This also supports an optimization of the sales prices of the corresponding products. The OMP not only consists of a one-off creation, but also requires continuous further development and adaptation to changing conditions.
Company that develops and manufactures products on behalf of customers. The product is sold under the customer's brand name.
The ODM offering of the TQ-Group includes:
Manufacturers of components that are integrated unchanged into devices of other manufacturers.
The OEM offer of the TQ-Group includes the following standard products:
Obsolescence Management implements concepts for long-term supply with electronic assemblies. The Obsolescence Management strategy developed by TQ offers optimal protection against obsolete ("no longer in use") components, complex redesigns, unsafe sources and cost-intensive brokerware.
QorIQ Dual Core Communication Processor up to 1.2 GHz from Freescale Semiconductor.
In order to give you an overview of the current life cycle status of the components you use, we offer parts list analyses. With the help of the parts list analysis the risk potential of the respective assembly or system can be determined and further measures can be derived at an early stage.
In addition to the algorithm-based determination of the expected EOL date, the parts list analysis also includes information on possible alternatives, suppliers with stock levels and environmental and material data (RoHS, REACH).
A definition of the required content and data format can be made customer-specific.
We use three sources to ensure market proximity and high data quality:
An analysis of your parts list can be carried out once or at individually defined intervals.
Manufacturer information on product changes.
Product life cycle management controls all processes related to a product during its entire life cycle.
The proactive obsolescence management offers the possibility to include obsolescence management in any status of the product or system life cycle before obsolescence has occurred.
In contrast to reactive obsolescence management, a risk-oriented approach is applied here, whereby an obsolescence focus is based on the risk level of the system or component.
Process capability means how well a process or its result (output) matches the requirement (customer request). With the help of the process capability index Cp, Cpk:
The process capability index Cp compares the tolerance window specified by the customer with the natural dispersion of the process (±3σ).
Microcontroller based on Power Architecture.
QorIQ is a series of microcontrollers based on Power Architecture from Freescale Semiconductor. It consists of the 5 product families P1-P5, which are all based on the e500 processor core or its successors. They are used in embedded systems, especially as network devices (routers, switches). (Source: Wikipedia)
Quality control loop, also known as PDCA cycle, Demingrad, Demingloop or Shewhart cycle, is an essential basic concept of quality management in the continuous improvement process, in the development of products and services or for error-cause-analysis.
PDCA means Plan-Do-Check-Act (Plan-Exect-Verify-Adjust). The PDCA cycle is easy to use, can be used sensibly in all areas of the company and only has to be adapted to the specific task in the application. Simplicity, fast learnability, good adaptability to the most different tasks and problem definitions are the crucial advantages of the PDCA method. PDCA cycle, Deming circle, Deming wheel or also Shewhart Cycle describes an iterative three- and/or four-phase process for learning and improvement of the US-American physicist Walter Andrew Shewhart.
PDCA stands for the English Plan - Do - Check - Act, which in German is also translated as 'Planen - Tun - Prüfen - Umsetzen' or 'Planen - Umsetzen - Überprüfen - Handeln'.
Process for the production of sample assemblies in the shortest possible time.
Reactive Obsolescence Management only deals with possible effects and their elimination in the event of a change or discontinuation. No measures are defined before the change or discontinuation occurs, but only the component-specific reaction to the incoming notification, whereby a very short action time usually represents a major challenge.
At the customer's request, used components can also be reused. The functional components are removed from old systems, tested and, if necessary, reconditioned before they are subsequently inserted into the system to be maintained. A sufficient service life of the component to be cannibalised is required. An examination of the quality of the components as well as an individual feasibility test are indispensable here.
In recycling management, the raw materials used are to be returned to the production process beyond the life cycle of a product. The requirements for recycling management are based on the simple fact that, in a finite world, conventional production processes will have no future without real material recycling. In the foreseeable future, the fossil resources used so far will be consumed as sources, while on the other hand the available landfill possibilities for the unavoidable waste and residual materials of chemical production will be exhausted as material sinks. The environmental service branch therefore takes nature's material cycle as a model and tries to use materials and energy for as long as possible or in an ecologically and socially meaningful way through intelligent, cascading uses without waste (zero waste) and without emission (zero emission).
If the producibility of an assembly becomes impossible due to an unexpected unavailability of discontinued components, an unplanned redesign can be carried out. In this case, the system is adapted to the currently required service life of the assembly and the availability situation of components, whereby the replacement of further endangered components is also made possible. Consequently, a redesign can improve system performance, operational reliability and maintainability.
Reverse engineering includes the complete post-development of the assembly based on specified specifications and documentation based on the current component availability. Consequently, a 1:1 replica of the obsolete assembly is realized.
EC Directive 2002/95/EC on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
We offer you a targeted worldwide search for active alternatives to your discontinued components. Substitutes enable you to replace them in "Form, Fit and Function" and can be easily integrated into your design. This also enables you to identify aftermarket sources and components that have an uprating.
Solutions for intelligent electricity metering, such as those offered by IEQualize.
Printed circuit board assembly on the surface of the printed circuit board.
With the help of component management, the current availability situation of components is already analyzed in the development process before the parts list is created. This results in a strategically optimized component selection with regard to the long-term availability of the product.
Strategic obsolescence management refers to the most comprehensive management process that begins during the development phase and optimally accompanies the entire product or system life cycle.
Services from the proactive and reactive area can also be applied in a planned manner.
Zielkostenrechnung.
With Through Hole technology, printed circuit boards are provided with holes into which the wire connections of the components and assemblies are inserted.
Traceability of a product regarding:
We are also happy to offer you an introduction to Obsolescence Management as part of a workshop. Here an individual adaptation to your circle of employees and the existing know-how can be carried out in your company.
The zero error strategy was developed in the early 1960s by the American Philip B. Crosby and describes a fault-free production in which no rejects are to be generated and therefore no reworking is necessary.
This strategy is based on Crosby's assumption that "quality" costs nothing. But it's not a gift."
It is assumed that not the production of quality costs, but the repair of errors. The aim of the program is therefore to exclude even the smallest defects from any existing production process, i.e. already in the development phase of the product.