ROCHESTER2 Datasheet, PDF (5/5 Pages) Rochester Electronics – A Rochester Electronics White Paper

• 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.
• 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.
• 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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© Copyright Rochester Electronics
Page 5
June 2011