Electronic Failures In Machine Controls

Abstract

This Paper Discusses Some Subtleties Of Machine Control Failures, As Affected By External Influences Such As Noise Or Deficiencies That Make The Particular Electronic Control System Behave Unreliably At Some Times Or Periodically Do Something That Is Unexpected. It Does Not Deal With Faulty Logic Or Catastrophic Failures Where Something Is Logically Flawed From Inception Or Bums Up Or Melts Down Into A Glob Of Epoxy, Silicon, And Wires. Electronic Controls Are Wonderful Because Of Their Speed, Accuracy, And Economy To Implement Complex Control Functions Inexpensively. On The Other Hand, There Are Failure Modes In Electronic Controls Which Result From Corruption By Low Voltages, Small Current Levels, And Sensitivity To Frequency Components That Would Not Have Aggravated Equipment Of An Older Vintage.