Bta technology, inc. will transform a prototype circuit reliability simulator into a commercial computer-aided design tool for widespread industrial use. bert (berkeley reliability tool) is a revolutionary simulator that predicts integrated circuit reliabilty due to the effects of hot carrier induced degradation in mos and bipolar transistors. Oxide breakdown and interconnect and contact electromigration. Bert will compress the ic product development cycle significantly because its application will shorten product development cycle, allow detection and elimination of reliability hazards during the design stage before committing design to silicon, and optimize the performance of ic within the bounds of reliability.