FEATURE OBSOLESCENCE MANAGEMENT DESIGNING-OUT OBSOLESCENCE
By applying some forward-thinking and commercial insight, designers can have a major impact on minimising the risks of component obsolescence, explains Roger Tall of Charcroft Electronics
W
hilst buyers are often at the sharp end of component obsolescence,
decisions made at the start of the design process can have a significant impact on the future risk of component obsolescence. The designer’s role in managing obsolescence starts at the component selection stage. Here, it is important for the designer to consider the part from a commercial as well as a technical perspective. Take the emerging trend of using
automotive-grade components as alternatives to fully-qualified Mil-Spec parts. The increase in the number of automotive electronic systems means that AEC-Q200 devices are being manufactured in higher volume. This means that the costs are reducing to the point at which AEC-Q200 devices are an attractive alternative to the same part with full Mil-Spec approval. This can certainly help to take cost out of the
early stages of a design but the drawback is that higher volume devices also have a higher risk of obsolescence. Consumers are encouraged to upgrade their smartphones at least every two years, and their car every two to three years. With each new purchase the consumer will expect new features and functions. This means that, as the volume of automotive devices increases, there is very real risk that they will be made obsolete before the end of a high- reliability system’s 25 to 30-year lifetime. Using a COTS+ or AEC-Q200 level device,
therefore, may look attractive at the design stage, but programmes that value longevity over unit cost may find that COTS+ or AEC- Q200 devices will cause issues in future. This can be an important factor for industries such as oil and gas, rail, defence and aerospace in the which systems and equipment combine low volumes and extended life-times. So, designers have a choice: Use cutting-edge
components with a higher risk of obsolescence or use established devices which are more likely to be available throughout the lifetime of the system. The trade-off is between faster, smaller designs versus robustness and longevity. The oil and gas industry is a good example of this as it continues to use power MOSFETs, transistors and diodes which are based on older technologies. These proven devices feature larger geometries which ensure greater stability in a high-temperature operating environment and reduce the risk of obsolescence.
FORWARD-THINKING Some forward thinking can also help to simplify the process of finding an alternative to an
16 NOVEMBER 2017 | ELECTRONICS
that the device should be compliant to CECC30701-007, there is the immediate option of using any other device qualified to the same standard, such as a Charcroft VK20BY104KA CECC. If the engineer had also specified the equivalent Mil-Spec standard the options for finding an alternative would be even wider.
obsolete component, particularly for a capacitor or a resistor. The way in which the device is described in the design documentation can have a significant effect on this. If the capacitor is specified with a specific manufacturer, part number and tolerance, then the options for finding an alternative are restricted. Simply changing the specification for the tolerance from ‘10%’ to ‘minimum 10%’ makes it possible to substitute the same capacitor with a 5% tolerance without having to change the documentation. Using a product description or a Mil-Spec
number also adds flexibility without compromising the performance of the design. A good example of this is the obsolete Syfer 8123Z0500104KX multilayer ceramic capacitor. If the original engineer has been specified this by its part number and manufacturer, the buyers will today be facing an obsolescence issue. However, if the engineer had specified
Figure 1:
As the volume of automotive devices increases, there is very real risk that they will be made obsolete before the end of a high- reliability system’s 25 to 30-year lifetime
DISTRIBUTION PARTNERSHIPS One of the most effective ways to design-out obsolescence is to use the expertise of a specialist distributor from the earliest stage of the design. A knowledgeable distributor should be able to audit your BOM for obsolescence risks. The audit will consider the technological and commercial trends to identify which passives are likely to be made obsolete. It will also identify which should be easy to replace in future and which will prove harder to manage due to a limited number of alternatives. The age of the technology, its current use across different sectors and the component manufacturer’s commitment to high-reliability applications are all factors which can affect the likelihood of a passive component being made obsolete. An important part of managing component
obsolescence, therefore, is for the designer to consider the end-of-life scenarios at the beginning of each design.
Charcroft Electronics
www.charcroft.com T: 01591610 408
IIOM OFFERS SUPPORT FOR OBSOLESCENCE MANAGEMENT WITH FOCUSED MEMBER EVENTS
The International Institute of Obsolescence Management (IIOM) is a not for profit professional body for those involved in, or interested in, Obsolescence Management.
The management of obsolescence overlaps into the management of counterfeit components, the impact of environmental legislation and supply chain assessment and development.
In the near future the impact of IOT on industrial automation, the increasing development of Servitisation and through life support business models and the growth of connected and autonomous vehicles will bring new sectors to the organisation. International legislation to encourage design reuse and recycling of materials will also see an impact on consumer communication and white goods products.
If you want to learn more about how IIOM can help you reduce business risk, be compliant with customer
requirements and meet new legislation you should come to a member meeting and network with experts. The next meeting will be held on the 7th November in Basingstoke. Members come from all industry sectors and all levels of the supply chain. Members are both users of components
and providers of components and solutions. Members are located in thirteen countries around the world. Members join to solve specific problems, learn best practice, liaise with other obsolescence management
professionals and to support development of the professional discipline. For further information visit the company’s website:
www.theiiom.org
/ ELECTRONICS
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