SAE INTERNATIONAL J1938™ Revised JUL2015 Page 6 of 31
2.5 Books, Handbooks
1. Walker, The Design Analysis Handbook, ISBN 0-9641527-0-3. Provides a practical framework for integrating quality
into the design process from start to finish. The methodology used is called Worst Case Analysis Plus (WCA+), a design-
validation tool that demands thoroughness and analytical thinking by the user. A guide to assessing and validating
circuit design. Presents processes and mathematical tools in a straightforward, real-world manner. Unique features of
the approach include chapters on safety, bad science, and surviving high-pressure design projects.
2. Reinertsen, Managing the Design Factory, ISBN 0-684-83991-1. A methodical approach to consistently hit the "sweet
spot" of quality, cost, and time in developing any product. Challenges many of the conventional approaches to product
development - e.g., test failures are good (maximizes information), design reviews should not be done by part of team
(independent evaluation by experts), etc. Full of practical techniques, concrete examples, and solid general principles,
this is a real toolkit for product developers. Challenges the thinking of anyone involved in product development.
3. O’Conner, Kleyner, Practical Reliability Engineering, Ed 5, Wiley. With emphasis on practical aspects of engineering,
this book has gained worldwide recognition through progressive editions as the essential reliability textbook. The fifth
edition retains the unique balanced mixture of reliability theory and applications, thoroughly updated with the latest
industry best practices.
4. Horowitz and Winfield, The Art of Electronics, ISBN 0-521-37095-7. Widely accepted as the authoritative text and
reference on electronic circuit design, both analog and digital, this book revolutionized the teaching of electronics by
emphasizing the methods actually used by circuit designers - a combination of some basic laws, rules of thumb, and a
large bag of tricks. The result is a largely nonmathematical treatment that encourages circuit intuition, brainstorming,
and simplified calculations of circuit values and performance.
5. Ott, Electromagnetic Compatibility Engineering, ISBN 978-0-470-18930-6. Completely revised, expanded, and
updated version of Henry Ott's popular book “Noise Reduction Techniques in Electronic Systems”. While maintaining
and updating the core information such as cabling, grounding, filtering, shielding, digital circuit grounding and layout,
and ESD that made the previous book such a wide success, this new book includes additional topics. Throughout the
book, an emphasis is placed on cost-effective EMC designs, with the amount and complexity of mathematics kept to
the strictest minimum.
6. Johnson, Graham, High Speed Digital Design, ISBN 0-13-395724-1. Focused on the field of knowledge lying between
digital and analog circuit theory. The scope of the material covered includes signal reflection, crosstalk, and noise
problems which occur in high speed digital machines (above 10MHz).
3. CONTEMPORARY DESIGN/VALIDATION PERSPECTIVE
Before developing a checklist, it is instructive to be aware of the limitations and history of automotive electronics validation
to gain insight into why things are presently done in a certain manner. Such awareness is useful in the design process for
a number of reasons including insight for making “hold or fold” decisions.
1. The traditional approach to product validation is to treat the different disciplines required separately. Such an
approach often misses issues that cross discipline lines.
2. Market leaders know just “Meeting Spec” does not necessarily result in a quality product - Main goal is to satisfy
the end customer and minimize field issues not just pass specs.
3. Component reliability and design practices have greatly improved over the early days of automotive electronics.
Consequently, most electronic module issues are functionality, new design (including software) and workmanship
related.