Different weights of tests within a start-up demonstration procedure

The reliability of various types of equipment within electronics, communications systems and others is often demonstrated with aid of acceptance (rejection) tests. According to the new weighted total successes consecutive successes total failures consecutive failures model, the tested equipment is accepted if a certain total weight of successes or a certain total weight of a run of consecutive successes appears before a certain total weight of failures and before a certain total weight of a run of consecutive failures. A constrained optimization procedure is set up for the minimization of the duration time of the tests subject to some confidence level requirements. In some cases, it involves the determination of the weights of the tests. A significant reduction in the required time for testing is thus achieved. Examples are provided to show the utility of the new method. Copyright (c) 2015John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.