Definition

AEC-Q100 is the Automotive Electronics Council's standard for stress test qualification of integrated circuits in automotive applications. It establishes temperature grading (Grade 0 being most stringent: -50°C to +150°C, Grade 3 for 0°C to +85°C) and reliability test requirements ensuring semiconductors withstand extreme automotive environments. When specifying ICs for automotive PCBs, require AEC-Q100 qualified parts and specify the grade matching your operating environment. Under-hood applications typically need Grade 1 (-40°C to +125°C) or Grade 0.