© Copyright Rochester Electronics

Page 5

June 2011

 

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Counterfeits that are not detected and make their way into manufactured equipment are likely to cause

equipment failures. These failures increase downtime, especially when replacement parts must be

sourced.

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A more sinister development in counterfeiting semiconductors is the malicious implanting of hidden bugs

and/or encryption designed to initiate equipment malfunction or to allow non-authorised detection of

intellectual intelligence.

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Semiconductors are used in many life-critical applications in which failure could cause a catastrophic

accident. Because the rate of failure of counterfeit components is high, equipment manufacturers can be

open to significant implications that could lead to major increases in legal protection fees.

Conclusion

Counterfeit semiconductors not only constitute a danger to the entire worldwide electronics industry, they also add

cost to every level of the industry involved.

Most semiconductor and electronics equipment manufacturers are working to overcome the counterfeit problem,

but the costs are high, and the entire industry must pay.

There are some counterfeit identification and mitigation solutions in place, but none can provide 100% assurance

because counterfeiters are continually improving their own technologies in order to “keep up.” Costs for these

solutions are added to other hidden costs that cause uncertainties throughout the industry.

The only sure way to avoid purchasing counterfeit semiconductors is to purchase devices only directly from the

original manufacturers or their authorised sources. If all equipment manufacturers followed this rule, it would be

possible to significantly reduce or even eliminate counterfeiting and save substantial costs throughout the entire

electronics industry.

 

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