2/23/2012 9:33:18 AM

TTI MarketEye: Counterfeiting: Technology to the Rescue?

TTI MarketEye

Ever since the first combatant started using new technology in battle in an attempt to gain superiority over his enemy, the response by the other side has been an increased effort to reduce the effectiveness of the breakthrough. This same measure versus countermeasure approach seems to be taking place in the semiconductor industry’s attempts to stem the flow of counterfeit ICs and components.

Existing methods of microchip verification including visual inspections, paperwork reviews and reliability testing are proving to be increasingly inadequate. Even near-perfect copies of holograms somehow become available within days of their initial launch.

As a result, although authorized distribution has evolved and developed best practices and standards to keep up with the growing threat of counterfeit parts, there has nonetheless been an increase in the amount of counterfeit chips reported by customers and IC suppliers.

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