QUALIFICATION · AEC-Q100
What is AEC-Q100? How do Grade 0/1/2 differ?
AEC-Q100 is a failure-mechanism-based stress-test qualification for automotive ICs. It answers whether an IC can operate reliably in automotive environments — not whether it meets ISO 26262 functional safety, IATF 16949 quality management or PPAP approval.
30-second answer
AEC-Q100 is published by the Automotive Electronics Council (AEC). It uses failure-mechanism-based stress tests to qualify IC reliability in automotive environments. Check the exact device/OPN's grade (temperature range), datasheet statement and TI product page — not just the phrase “automotive grade.”
AEC-Q100 temperature grades (common definitions)
| Grade | Ambient range | Typical environment |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 0 | –40°C to +150°C | Most severe; often engine bay / high-power |
| Grade 1 | –40°C to +125°C | One of the most common automotive grades |
| Grade 2 | –40°C to +105°C | Cabin/body environments |
| Grade 3 | –40°C to +85°C | Protected interior environments |
| Grade 4 | 0°C to +70°C | Rarely used in new automotive designs |
Test conditions, applicable devices and revision level are governed by the AEC-Q100 document and TI datasheet.
Four concepts that are not interchangeable
| Concept | Question it answers | It is not |
|---|---|---|
| AEC-Q100 | Did this IC pass automotive reliability stress tests? | Not a functional-safety level; not a quality-system certificate |
| ISO 26262 | What ASIL capability does the system/device support? | Not a reliability qualification; not PPAP |
| IATF 16949 | Is the supplier/factory quality system compliant? | Not a qualification of a specific part |
| PPAP | Is the production-part approval documentation complete? | Not AEC-Q100 itself; it is a submission/approval process |
Five common myths
“Automotive grade” is enough.
No. Check the exact OPN's Rating, AEC-Q100 grade, temperature range and datasheet.
AEC-Q100 equals ASIL.
No. AEC-Q100 is reliability qualification; ASIL is an ISO 26262 functional-safety level.
Every OPN in a family is the same.
No. TI assigns ratings at part level; families such as TDA4VM can contain Automotive and Catalog OPNs.
Grade 1 is always “better” than Grade 2.
It is a temperature/application fit, not a quality ranking; do not over-specify.
AEC-Q100 alone means production-ready.
Also check PPAP, lifecycle, supply, PCN, system-level validation and OEM/Tier-1 requirements.
TI examples: land the grade on an OPN
| Part | AEC-Q100 | Functional safety / caveat |
|---|---|---|
| TPS6594-Q1 | Grade 1, –40 to +125°C | FS-Compliant, ASIL-D documentation |
| BQ79616-Q1 | Grade 1, –40 to +125°C | FS-Compliant, ASIL-D capability/documentation |
| DS90UB954-Q1 | Grade 2, –40 to +105°C | FPD-Link III deserializer |
| TDA4VM | Only Q1 variants are AEC-Q100 | The GPN also contains Catalog OPNs |
Selection checklist
- Identify the exact OPN, not just the GPN.
- Confirm Rating=Automotive and AEC-Q100 grade on TI.com.
- Confirm temperature range, test conditions and package in the datasheet.
- Separate AEC-Q100, ISO 26262, IATF 16949 and PPAP.
- Check lifecycle, supply, PCN and alternates.
FAQ
Is AEC-Q100 mandatory?
It is widely adopted in the automotive industry, but applicability depends on customer/OEM/supply-chain requirements. Do not describe it as a single universal certificate.
What is the difference between Grade 0 and Grade 1?
Common definitions: Grade 0 –40 to +150°C; Grade 1 –40 to +125°C. Select by actual ambient/junction conditions and datasheet limits, not by “lower is better.”
What is the difference between AEC-Q100 and AEC-Q101?
Q100 covers integrated circuits (ICs); Q101 covers discrete semiconductors. Do not use Q100 to describe diodes/MOSFETs.
Does TI Automotive Rating always mean AEC-Q100?
TI's Part ratings page says Automotive may map to AEC-Q100, AEC-Q101 or other automotive specifications. Verify the exact product page/datasheet.
Sources: AEC document library (AEC-Q100 Rev J1), TI Part ratings, TI product pages; accessed 2026-11-04.