Feature
Designing for longevity By Rochester Electronics
(EOL), engineers may need to secure inventory, redesign around a replacement or fi nd a way to maintain the original design. Obsolescence cannot always be avoided, but its impact can be
A
better managed when lifecycle considerations are built into design and programme planning from the outset.
AI investment can aff ect legacy technologies Much current semiconductor investment is focused on artifi cial intelligence and high-performance computing. While these developments are concentrated at the leading edge, their eff ects can extend into older technology generations. T is means that lifecycle planning needs to consider the wider semiconductor ecosystem, since fi nding a replacement is not simply a matter of matching capacity. Moving between generations can also introduce architectural and
qualifi cation considerations. A useful starting point for lifecycle planning is to distinguish components according to their importance to the overall system. An EOL notice for a readily replaceable device may have limited consequences, while the loss of a highly integrated or diffi cult-to-qualify component can have a much wider impact.
Plan around the programme, not only EOL When a component reaches EOL, a last-time buy may appear to be the obvious response. However, this may not be practical for a programme requiring another 10, 15 or 20 years of support. Capital requirements, storage, inventory management and changing demand all need to be considered. A longer-term approach starts with the programme itself.
Expected production volumes, service-life requirements, installed-base support and component criticality can all influence the appropriate strategy. Depending on the circumstances, this may involve inventory planning, continued authorised manufacturing, redesign or a combination of approaches. The key is to consider these options before time pressure narrows the choices.
erospace, defence, transportation, industrial and medical systems are oſt en designed around long service lives, while the semiconductor technologies within them may have signifi cantly shorter commercial lifespans. T erefore, when a critical component reaches end-of-life
The value of technical dialogue Lifecycle management is also an information-sharing exercise. Engineering teams understand product architecture and programme requirements, while semiconductor and lifecycle specialists can provide insight into availability, manufacturing capability and technology changes. Rochester’s European technical team works with local sales teams and
customers to review bills of materials, understand programme timelines and examine component lifetimes, from individual devices to hundreds of line items.
Five steps for resilient lifecycle planning 1. Identify critical components. Create a critical-parts matrix and record why each device is important, including the potential impact of replacement or redesign.
2. Defi ne the programme lifetime. Record expected production volumes, service-life requirements and support horizons. A 10-year requirement may require a diff erent approach from a 20-year requirement.
3. Capture compatibility parameters. For devices such as memory, document the characteristics that determine interchangeability, including speed, width, temperature, package and die confi guration.
4. Engage early. Establish dialogue with relevant semiconductor and lifecycle specialists before an EOL notice is received.
5. Keep information current. Regularly review programme forecasts, design changes and supply-chain developments to keep lifecycle planning aligned with actual requirements.
Designing for longevity Semiconductor obsolescence is a normal part of the technology lifecycle, but its consequences can be managed more eff ectively with early planning. For long-life products, lifecycle thinking means considering not
only whether a component meets today's requirements, but also what may happen to that component over the expected life of the system. Understanding criticality, documenting compatibility requirements and maintaining an open dialogue around supply can help reduce disruption when technologies change. Rochester Electronics combines authorised supply, manufacturing
capability and lifecycle expertise to support the continued availability of critical semiconductor devices throughout the life of a product.
www.rocelec.com
www.electronicsworld.co.uk October 2026 39
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
