News: Rochester Electronics
The power of authenticity and reliability
Critical end-of-life component management by Rochester Electronics P
roduct lifecycles often extend far beyond the active availability of semiconductor components, making lifecycle status a crucial factor at any phase of the new product introduction (NPI) process. Now, imagine the consequences if one or several critical components within a product design were to reach end-of-life before the product itself achieves maturity. In such cases, establishing a reliable, long-term supply chain specialising in semiconductor lifecycle solutions is essential.
As technology progresses and demand for newer semiconductor products rises, manufacturing volumes naturally increase. Consequently, older products are phased out — marking the EOL stage of the semiconductor lifecycle. When the original component manufacturer (OCM) opts to discontinue a product, they typically offer an EOL purchase opportunity, commonly known as a “last time buy”. However, many customers either lack the capital to make these purchases or the storage capacity to support future requirements.
Most industries will eventually face the realities of component EOL, accompanied by a host of risks and challenges. While machine downtime and revenue loss are critical concerns, issues relating to health and public safety take top priority. In high-reliability sectors such as medical, military and defence, energy, transportation, industrial and civil aviation, semiconductor lifecycle management becomes not just important, but essential. It ensures organisations are well-prepared for EOL and can safeguard the performance and integrity of their systems.
Organisations that are ill-prepared become vulnerable to counterfeit products and may encounter quality and reliability issues. Even those who proactively plan
6 April 2025
While no one wants to be deceived by counterfeit products, in the world of semiconductors, the consequences can be dire. One only needs to consider the potential catastrophe of a counterfeit component finding its way into a commercial airliner, a missile system, or a life-saving medical device. Rochester Electronics offers a secure, authorised, and continuous source of supply — boasting over 15 billion devices in stock and covering more than 200,000 part numbers. This is said to constitute the world’s largest selection of both EOL and active semiconductors.
ahead may struggle with long-term component storage.
Purchasing from an authorised source that maintains a strong partnership with the OCM is the only way to fully mitigate these risks. Fully authorised distributors, such as Rochester Electronics, comply with the SAE Aerospace Standard AS6496. In simple terms, this means they are authorised by the OCM to provide products that are 100 per cent traceable and guaranteed. These components require no additional quality or reliability testing, as they are sourced directly from the OCM.
Rochester Electronics – 100 per cent authorised and guaranteed Other providers may claim AS6171/4 compliance. While this is preferable to no compliance, it only indicates that parts have undergone inspection and test procedures to detect counterfeits. It also suggests the parts were not sourced directly from the OCM, which introduces an element of risk — albeit reduced. The only way to eliminate these risks is to purchase exclusively from a fully authorised source that is AS6496 compliant.
Components in Electronics
In the semiconductor industry, counterfeit parts can include: Non-functional or scrap components, re- marked and re-sold as functioning units. Functional but sub-standard components, re-marked and sold as higher- grade products. Recycled components resold as new, despite having already seen previous use. These counterfeit processes often involve etching away original markings using harsh chemicals or mechanical grinders, which can cause internal damage and contamination — ultimately leading to in-service failures. Recycled parts in particular are semiconductors with a previous operational life, often stored under uncontrolled conditions with exposure to excessive humidity, water, and even salt. Clearly, authenticity alone does not equate to reliability.
Their facilities include over 250,000 square feet of warehousing space — 82,000 of which are located within a Free Trade Zone. Rochester is a licensed manufacturer, capable of extending the production of devices no longer manufactured by the OCM. To date, they have manufactured over 20,000 device types, from new silicon all the way through assembly, test, and qualification. With over 12 billion die in inventory, Rochester has the ability to manufacture over 70,000 device types. In addition to component supply, Rochester also offers a comprehensive suite of manufacturing services, including design, wafer processing, assembly, test, reliability testing, and IP archiving — providing everything from single services to full turnkey solutions, enabling faster time-to- market.
When faced with critical component EOL challenges, think Rochester Electronics — the industry’s trusted partner in delivering dependable and long-term semiconductor lifecycle solutions.
Rochester keeps your business moving beyond component EOL. For more information visit:
www.rocelec.com
www.cieonline.co.uk
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