How do you analyze metastability and calculate Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)?

Metastability MTBF = 1/(f_clk * f_data * T0 * e^(-tr/tau)), where f_clk is clock frequency, f_data is asynchronous data rate, T0 is metastability window, tr is resolution time available (clock period minus setup time of next stage), and tau is flip-flop time constant. Adding synchronizer stages multiplies MTBF exponentially. Design target: MTBF >> system lifetime (typically 100+ years). Analysis requires: flip-flop characterization data (T0, tau from vendor or simulation), timing constraints, and data rate specifications. High-speed designs may need specialized low-metastability flip-flops.