Cover story
What can the automotive customers do to reduce these risks?
Sourcing through non-authorised routes carries huge risks. Active component shortages, the premium for automotive-grade performance and the ongoing need for obsolete components provide additional “incentives” for unscrupulous sources to cash in and to feed counterfeits into the market. It is a common misconception that during allocation, or after a component/process technology is discontinued by the original manufacturer, only the non-authorised/broker network can help. Nothing could be further from the truth!
Planning for supply uncertainty is now part of every process. Authorised shortage and aftermarket suppliers such as Rochester Electronics, provide a risk-free source of available stock. Their semiconductor surpluses from times-of-plenty offer customers the chance to instantly fill urgent needs when a crisis occurs.
Whilst these direct stocks are often finite, alternatives such as different speed grades, plating specs, historic die-iterations, or even different packages provide the customer with options to keep their production lines running. However, crises, by their nature, develop quickly. Time is of the essence to identify and secure instant stock, and increasingly automotive customers are sharing Critical-Parts-Lists (covering much of their sub-tier supply structure) to receive early warnings and the first choice of this limited stock. Shared information with trusted partners allows both parties to take a more proactive approach to shortage support.
Only time will tell whether the recent supply shocks lead to a deliberate and planned policy of emergency finished stocks across the automotive supply chain.
Component discontinuations present a manageable problem – an LTB stock of finished semiconductors or ultimately a re-design. But what options do customers have if demand exceeds these stock levels? Trusted aftermarket partners such as Rochester Electronics receive all surplus finished goods direct from the semiconductor manufacturers after the Last-Time-Ship date. These stocks provide an invaluable zero-risk safety net in the event of future needs. However, to provide a more proactive approach with guaranteed security of supply, Rochester Electronics is increasingly committing to an authorised transfer of wafer and IP. Customers who are affected by discontinuations and share their critical parts lists can influence this investment strategy and secure themselves future supply options.
Long-term wafer storage followed by production provides the most economic and flexible long-term support. Customers require a production process that adheres to standards such as IATF-16949- for quality management systems, AEC-Q100 for qualification testing, and ISO-14001 for environmental management. Performance must mirror the original component specification.
Rochester Electronics
Rochester Electronics focuses on providing a continuous source of semiconductors, aligning strongly with the long lifecycle and quality requirements of automotive manufacturers.
Rochester provides 100% authorised stock of active and end-of-life devices from over 70 leading semiconductor manufacturers. As a licensed semiconductor manufacturer, Rochester has manufactured over 20,000 device types. With over 12 billion die in stock, Rochester has the capability to manufacture over 70,000 device types.
Rochester provides a full range of manufacturing services to our valued semiconductor customers and supplier partners, including wafer processing with wafer map generation, back-grind, dicing, inspection, and pick and place and wafer storage. Our state-of-the-art facilities for long-term wafer storage provide a nitrogen-controlled environment with real-time monitoring and backup capability. We also offer in-house reliability and electrical testing services.
Our certifications include: • ISO-14001
• ANSI/ESDS20.20-2014 • IATF 16949:2016 Letter of Conformance
• AECQ-100 reliability test methodology – coming soon in 2022
For more information or to know more about Rochester’s automotive semiconductor portfolio visit
www.rocelec.com
www.electronicsworld.co.uk June 2021 07
http://www.rocelec.com?utm_medium=FullpageAd&utm_source=ElectronicsWorld&utm_campaign=June22FPadelectronicsWorld&utm_content=Automotive_210x275
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