ＤＥＬＬTemperature - Altitude

Dell Controlled Print
Portables Reliability Engineering

Temperature - Altitude
Test Procedure

Number: REL0018
Revision: A00


Authors: Ron Sparks










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Revision History

Date Revision Explanation of Changes Change Originator Approvals

11/1/01 X01 Draft for review R. SPARKS N/A
12/18/01 X02 Updates to Title pg, Rev table,
Delete Appendix A- Sys Configuration B. REYNOLDS N/A
10/11/02 X03 Reliability review N. DREES N/A
10/15/02 X04 Added reporting format. Future revision will need verification of altitude ramp rate and modification of profile. N. DREES N/A
11/15/02 A00 Initial Release to Agile B. REYNOLDS DREW GRANZOW,
ED TINSLEY


Table of Contents
1. PURPOSE 4
2. SCOPE 4
3. REQUIREMENTS 4
3.1. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS 4
3.2. REFERENCE DOCUMENTS 4
3.3. SPECIAL EQUIPMENT/PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS 4
3.4. DIAGNOSTIC SOFTWARE 4
4. CRITERIA 4
4.1. TEST CRITERIA 4
4.2. FAILURE CRITERIA 5
4.3. INSPECTION 5
5. PROCEDURE 6
5.1. PRE-TEST CHECK/TEST PREPARATION 6
5.2. OPERATIONAL TEMPERATURE-ALTITUDE PROCEDURE 7
5.3. NON-OPERATIONAL TEMPERATURE-ALTITUDE TEST PROCEDURE 7
6. REPORTING 7
6.1. REPORTING FORMATS 7
6.2. DEVIATIONS 7
APPENDIX B – TEST RESULTS FORMAT 8


1. Purpose
The objective of this test is to subject the system and subassemblies to both operational and non-operational stresses under differing combinations of temperature and altitude (often called a Temp-Altitude Test).
2. Scope
This document is designed to provide detailed instructions for conducting system-level internal connector cycling qualification activities. It also contains criteria for determining whether a failure has occurred. Please refer to the Reliability Functional Plan or Reliability Statement of Work for this information.
3. Requirements
3.1. System requirements
All systems received for testing shall meet production-shipping standards, where possible. System configurations to undergo temperature testing shall be selected based on configuration criteria defined by the program Reliability Engineer. . A detailed system configuration list shall be completed for each test item, (example: Master Build List). These table inputs shall be included in final test report for each phase of testing. If conducted outside Dell, all test reports shall be submitted to Dell Reliability Engineering within specified time frame stated in the Reliability SOW.

3.2. Reference documents
• Appropriate platform Reliability SOW (if applicable)
• #00109 Dell Environmental Specification

3.3. Special Equipment/Personnel Requirements
The following test equipment is needed to complete this testing:
a) A temperature-altitude chamber capable of altitude transition rates of 500ft/min. and minimum temperature ramp rate of 5C/min. is required
b) Data Logger for chamber and system external ambient temperature measurements

3.4. Diagnostic Software
• Dell Diagnostics Software Utility



4. Criteria
4.1. Test Criteria
The following test criteria must be followed to ensure Dell Reliability’s acceptance of the test results:
• Ensure that a minimum of 2 systems are subjected to temperature-altitude testing
• The operational and non-operational temperature altitude testing shall be performed according to the profiles listed in Figures 1 and 2 respectively
• Humidity does not need to be controlled as long as no condensation occurs during temperature transitions.
• Altitude extremes
• Operational: 0 to 10,000ft.
• Non-Operational: 0 to 35,000ft.
• Temperature Extremes
• Operational: 0C to 35C
• Non-Operational: -40C to 65C
• Altitude Transition Rate: 1000ft/min +/-20%
• Temperature Transition Rate: 1C/min

4.2. Failure Criteria
• Any physical damage to the system (e.g. structural cracks, breaks, or deformation)
• Connector damage due to altitude effects
• Failure of the system to function normally during operational portion of the testing, including insufficient cooling due to lack of air pressure at higher altitude.
• Inability of the system to successfully pass post diagnostics

4.3. Inspection
All systems shall undergo pre-test, between test and post inspections by performing the steps below.
1. Perform a complete visual inspection of the UUT; checking for failure criteria listed in section 4.2 and any other anomalies.
2. Run Dell Diagnostics or some other Dell-approved diagnostic utility to ensure system functionality.
3. Document all anomalies found in the above steps and provide digital pictures along with reports or findings to Dell Reliability Engineering.


Figure 1. Operational Temperature-Altitude Profile



Figure 2. Non-Operational Temperature-Altitude Profile

5. Procedure
5.1. Pre-Test Check/Test Preparation
To ensure the validity of the tests, the following must be performed prior to testing:
1. Develop both operational and non-operational chamber control programs per the profiles in Figures 1 and 2 above.
2. Utilize and run one loop of Dell Diagnostics (or appropriate utility) to ensure system and integrity prior to testing.
3. Ensure data is being recorded to appropriate storage device.
4. Validate that the chamber control programs work correctly
5. Place the systems inside the temperature-altitude chamber
6. Attach thermocouples close to each system’s LCD screen back to measure approximate external system ambient air conditions each system experiences throughout each profile

5.2. Operational Temperature-Altitude Procedure
1. Power on all systems via AC power and execute the pre-defined diagnostics programs in an endless loop manner
2. Close chamber and initiate operational temperature-altitude control program as illustrated in Figure 1.
3. Upon completion of operational sequence download to CD all diagnostics test results and record all diagnostics failures for each system in formal test report
4. Perform post test visual inspection in accordance with section 4.3 and record results in formal test report

5.3. Non-Operational Temperature-Altitude Test Procedure
1. Power down all systems
2. Close chamber and initiate operational temperature-altitude control program
3. Perform post test visual inspection in accordance with section 4.3 and record results in formal test report
4. Run diagnostics overnight (minimum of 2 loops) to ensure system integrity.

6. Reporting
6.1. Reporting formats
Utilize the Master Build List for the specific program/build phase under test and correlate the configuration information to the Temperature-Altitude test results reported in Appendix A, to support follow on test analysis. . All identified issues are to be logged into the appropriate issues tracking database (e.g. Team Track) being used by each program.
6.2. Deviations
It is understood that Dell designs, performs qualification testing, and manufactures notebook computers and docking stations at various development centers worldwide. Not all of these development centers possess the same level of testing capability or capacity. Therefore, it is understood that there may be some deviations between the guidance of this test plan and the qualification testing that is actually agreed upon and performed. It is very important to document these deviations on a case-by-case basis, and it is the responsibility of the Lead Reliability Engineer to insure this documentation occurs.


Appendix B – Test Results Format
The following information shall be noted in the test report: