© iakovlev dreamstime.com
Components | January 08, 2016
This is a real problem – counterfeit military-grade semiconductors
In December 2015, the FBI arrested three Chinese nationals for illegally redistributing stolen – military-grade – semiconductors and selling counterfeit components to US defence contractors.
The three Chinese nationals, Daofu Zhang, Jiang Guanghou Yan, and Xianfeng Zuo, were arrested in Milford, Connecticut on December 10, 2015.
The FBI began investigating Yan and a Chinese company known as HK Potential in 2012 for trafficking in counterfeit semiconductors.
“In October 2014 and in March 2015, Yan sold a total of 45 counterfeit Intel microprocessors to an undercover agent who had advised Yan that the components would be used on a U.S. Navy contract involving submarines,” the Department of Justice states in a press release.
The press release further states that, in July 2015, Yan asked the undercover agent if he was able to get him 22 Xilinx semiconductors – military grade – for USD 37'000 each.
When the agent advised Yan that the Xilinx components could be stolen from a U.S. Navy base, Yan offered to provide fake Xilinx components that could be substituted for the stolen components, thus avoiding detection.
He also made it clear that, while the fake components might look real, they were not functioning. In November 2015, Yan shipped eight of the fake Xilinx components to the undercover agent.
All three are now facing charges of violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act – which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years of prison and a USD 1 million fine – and charges of receiving stolen government property. They are also facing charges relating to trafficking counterfeit goods.
Counterfeit products are indeed a huge problem, which – to everyone's dismay – does not seem to get smaller. Reports of counterfeit components have quadrupled since 2009. But the fact remains that any component can be counterfeited. Everything that can be mounted on a board, will come with that risk attached.
As mentioned above, reports on counterfeit components have skyrocket over the past few years. Whether companies have become more vigilant and rigorous in their reporting, or the problem has indeed taken on rampant qualities remains to be seen.
In a previous interview with Evertiq, Jason Jowers, Director of Quality & Operations for distributor Velocity, said that he believes that testing capabilities have improved and companies are paying more attention when it comes to counterfeit components. And Velocity, with its high-reliability customers within the Military & Aerospace, Medical and Oil & Gas industries, has invested heavily in the capabilities of its three testing facilities, located in Singapore, Austin (Texas) and Amsterdam (The Netherlands).
Jason Jowers says that the key is to set up a reliable selection process for the suppliers you work with, and Velocity inspect every single shipment that comes in, regardless of which supplier it is from.
You have the chance to learn more about this subject and the risks with counterfeit components. Jason Jowers will speak at TEC Gothenburg on January 28, 2016. For registration and more information, please follow this link.
Pocket-Size white noise generator for quickly testing circuit signal response
Question: Can you produce a frequency spectrum for all frequencies at the same time?
II-VI expands its silicon carbide manufacturing footprint
II-VI Incorporated says it has expanded its silicon carbide (SiC) wafer finishing manufacturing footprint in China to serve the largest worldwide market for electric vehicles (EVs) and for clean energy applications.
Sponsored content by Würth Elektronik eiSos
Four days of concentrated electronics knowledge
Würth Elektronik invites you to a virtual conference with expert presentations on EMC, thermal management, power management, connectivity, and many other circuit design topics from April 26-29, 2021 from 8 am to 6 pm CET each day.
AQ Group acquires Schaffner’s Power Magnetic Division
Swedish AQ Group AB has signed an agreement with the Swiss company Schaffner Group to acquire its Power Magnetics Division.
Farnell adds 20'000 new products - targets the home office
Farnell, an Avnet Company and global distributor of electronic components, products and solutions, has added 20'000 new electronic and electrical products to its portfolio.
Asahi Kasei Europe unites activities at Düsseldorf Harbour
Late last year, Asahi Kasei Europe started office operation at its new location at Düsseldorf Harbour, Germany. In March 2021, the Asahi Kasei Europe R&D Center relocated from Dormagen to the new location.
Sponsored content by Shenzen Kinwong Electronic
The development trend of printed circuit board products and Kinwong's solution
With the rapid development of electronic technology in recent years, printed circuit board (PCB) products are pursuing higher heat dissipation capabilities, with high voltage and high current characteristics, and are developing towards high-density interconnection technology (HDI).
Intel steps up as a supplier to the automotive industry
According to Intel’s new CEO, Pat Gelsinger, the company is ready to step up and start making chips for car makers to take the edge off the current shortage that has hit the automotive industry hard.
Fund II triples the size of TDK Ventures’ Fund I
TDK Corporation's subsidiary TDK Ventures Inc. has closed its second fund, totalling USD 150 million in new capital. The new fund will primarily target early-stage, global investments in clean technology, advanced materials, industrial, robotics, energy, autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, and healthtech segments.
MacDermid Alpha opens new die attach applications centre
MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions officially opened a Greater China Die Attach Application Centre on April 1st, 2021. The technology and application centre will house technical service and lab personnel, equipped with die attach assembly and process equipment.
Sponsored content by Kyzen
The Effectiveness of IPA/DI on No-clean Flux Residues
This article studies the ability of the current 75%IPA/25%DI extraction solution, commonly used to detect ion contamination since the 1960s, to detect and quantify new technology weak organic acids common in modern soldering materials employing ROSE, Gravimetric, and Ion Chromatography.
WISeKey to increase manufacturing capabilities to support demand
Cybersecurity and IoT company, WISeKey, says that it is significantly investing in its supply chain transformation to better and faster serve its customers. The company is simultaneously impacted by the current semiconductor shortage situation and a tremendously growing order backlog.
Renesas resumes operations at fire damaged facility
Renesas say that the N3 Building (300mm line) clean room at Naka Factory resumed operations on Friday April 9.
Neonode to supply its tech to a major South Korean elevator OEM
Neonode has received an order for and will supply touch sensor modules to Finetek, a Neonode value-added reseller, who has been selected by a major elevator OEM in South Korea to install its contactless elevator control panel solutions powered by Neonode’s technology in existing elevators in this market.
High Speed ADC Power Supply Domains
Question: Why are there all these power domains for high speed ADCs?
Sponsored content by Totech
Long Term Storage Safe, secure storage and quality testing of sensitive components
Shortage of electronic components Worldwide there is a significant shortage of electronic components, especially SMT components. The Long Term Storage of electronic components can be the solution for this problem in the future. But the requirements for long-term storage are increasing.
BAE Systems receives adaptive RF contracts from DARPA
BAE Systems will design mechanisms for the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) that protect emerging wideband receivers from interference, enabling their use in contested and congested environments.
Swedish biometrics company expands in Europe and Asia
Swedish biometrics company, Fingerprint Cards, is seeing more and more reasons to move closer to "the action". The world’s top three payment card producers are all based in continental Europe, while most of the largest smartphone OEMs are headquartered in Asia - so that's where the company's heading.
Siemens Mobility to triple R&D headcount in Hungary
Siemens Mobility is set to create 120 new R&D related jobs at its Budapest, Hungary location as the company moves moves forward in its efforts to "digitalise track-based transport modes".
AMD and Xilinx stockholders approve proposed acquisition
The stockholders of both companies voted to approve their respective proposals relating to the pending acquisition of Xilinx by AMD.
Renesas to shift production from fire-hit Naka fab
The Japanese semiconductor manufacturer is reportedly set to shift some production from its fire damaged Naka fab to a facility in the southwestern prefecture of Ehime.
Netlist and SK hynix reach patent and technology agreement
Netlist and SK hynix have reached an agreement for a patent cross license covering memory technologies of both companies and an agreement for the supply of SK hynix products and technical cooperation on Netlist's CXL HybriDIMM technology.
13% increase to lift total semi shipments to a new record high
Total semiconductor unit shipments, which include integrated circuits as well as optoelectronics, sensor/actuator, and discrete (O-S-D) devices, are forecast to rise 13% in 2021, to 1,135.3 billion (1.1353 trillion) units to set a new all-time annual record.
ROHM Semiconductor Europe appoints new President
As of April 1st, 2021, Wolfram Harnack has taken the helm as ROHM Semiconductor Europe's new President. Former President, Toshimitsu Suzuki, will lead the European Sales Division as General Manager from the company's headquarters in Japan.
SK hynix negotiates supply deal with Bosch
The South Korean company is reportedly in talks with Germany’s Robert Bosch Gmbh regarding a long-term supply contract.
Camtek receives orders worth more than $20 million
The developer and manufacturer of inspection and metrology equipment for the semiconductor industry, says that in recent weeks it has received orders for inspection and metrology systems totaling over USD 20 million.
u‑blox acquires full ownership in Sapcorda JV
Wireless and positioning technology specialist, u-blox, says that it has acquired full ownership of Sapcorda Services GmbH, a joint venture formed by u‑blox, Bosch, Geo++, and Mitsubishi Electric.
Murata spins off plant – establishes new company
Murata Manufacturing says it will spin off its Kanazawa Murata Manufacturing Sendai plant and establish a new group company with the name of Sendai Murata Manufacturing, on July 1, 2021.
Load more news