The authors demonstrate that if feedback control and component reliability design criteria are considered simultaneously, significant gains in reliability may result. The discussion begins with a tutorial introduction to probabilistic design for reliability. Simple examples are employed to illustrate the analytical tie between feedback control and component reliability. In the case of modal control, it is demonstrated that fast response and component reliability are competing criteria. The question of system (as opposed to component) reliability is discussed in a succeeding paper.
The Nursing Systems Analyst
