AEC-Q100 and AEC-Q200: Understanding Automotive Electronics Qualification

Why Automotive Components Need Special Qualification
Automotive electronics operate under extreme temperature swings, vibration, and humidity for a decade or more. A part that is acceptable for consumer electronics may fail catastrophically in a vehicle. That is why the Automotive Electronics Council defined AEC-Q100 for integrated circuits and AEC-Q200 for passive components.

What Qualification Involves

AEC-Q100 (Active Components): Temperature cycling, high-temperature operating life, electrostatic discharge, latch-up, and accelerated stress testing of ICs.
AEC-Q200 (Passive Components): Thermal shock, moisture resistance, solderability, and life testing for resistors, capacitors, inductors, counterfeit IC detection and transformers.