Analyzing step-stress accelerated life testing data using generalized linear models

In this article the parameter estimation method of Step-Stress Accelerated Life Testing (SSALT) model is discussed by utilizing techniques of Generalized Linear Model (GLM). A multiple progressive SSALT with exponential failure data and right censoring is analyzed. The likelihood function of the SSALT is treated as being a censoring variate with Poisson distribution and the life-stress relationship is defined by a log link function of a GLM. Both the maximum likelihood estimation and the Bayesian estimation of GLM parameters are discussed. The iteratively weighted least squares method is implemented to obtain the maximum likelihood estimation solution. The Bayesian estimation is derived by applying Jeffreys' non-informative prior and the Markov chain Monte Carlo method. Finally, a real industrial example is presented to demonstrate these estimation methods.