The RBD module performs functional Reliability and Availability analysis of systems with a variety of reliability distributions, and types of redundancy and repair factors. While the basic RAM Commander module provides the reliability calculations and predictions for non-redundant systems, RBD utilizes data defined in the basic module, and performs either analytical calculation or Monte Carlo simulation depending on the type of reliability configuration of the system.

The analytical technique is used mostly for exponential distributions. For each RBD, a graph of the reliability function R(t) can be drawn and MTBCF (Mean Time Between Critical Failures) can be calculated using numeric integration.

Monte Carlo simulations with high speed, accuracy, and large number of steps will evaluate Reliability and Availability for arbitrary configurations when there is no analytical solution, i.e. complex configurations, including standby, partially loaded and active redundancy; full or restricted repair with non-exponential distribution of time-to-repair; analysis under non-steady, transient states; dependent RBD elements; analysis of periodic inspection policy.

The System Configuration feature of the RBD module is an ingenious answer to the requests of our customers who need to compare the reliability and availability of various system configurations created as sub-sets of the project product tree. The creation of an unlimited number of system configurations, easy transformation of each configuration into an RBD, MTBCF calculation, synchronization with product tree changes, and finally a clear and elegant graphical presentation - all these make the System Configuration feature an invaluable addition to the RAM Commander package.