© 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.
Indium partners with SAFI-Tech on solder product development
Indium Corporation and SAFI-Tech will evaluate market applications for supercooled solder materials and explore the development of new products.
Rohm SiC MOSFETs qualified for automotive use
Rohm’s latest 4th generation of SiC MOSFETs has been fully qualified in Semikron’s eMPack modules for automotive use.
Gapwaves and Bosch to jointly develop radar antennas
Swedish tech company Gapwaves have entered into an agreement with Bosch regarding the development and large-scale production of high-resolution radar antennas for automotive vehicle applications aiming at highly automated driving.
Ad
Würth Elektronik ICS opens subsidiary in Italy
Würth Elektronik ICS is expanding its activities in Italy with the opening of the new subsidiary Würth Elektronik ICS Italia s.r.l.
Ad
Semtech to acquire Sierra Wireless
Semtech and Sierra Wireless have entered into a definitive agreement under which Semtech will acquire all outstanding shares of Sierra Wireless for USD 31 per share in an all-cash deal valued at USD 1.2 billion.
Materion looking to accelerate growth with new facility
Materion Corporation, a supplier of advanced materials, has established a new facility in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to accelerate the growth of advanced chemical solutions for the semiconductor and EV battery markets.
Cyber incident at SEMIKRON
The SEMIKRON Group has become a victim of a cyber-attack by a professional hacker group.
Alexander Battery and Anglia sign distribution agreement
Anglia Components, a distributor of electronic components, has signed an agreement with Alexander Battery Technologies for exclusive distribution in the UK and Ireland.
MKS and Atotech deal receive China antitrust clearance
MKS Instruments and Atotech have received unconditional merger approval from China’s State Administration for Market Regulation for MKS’ pending acquisition of Atotech.
Micron plans to invest in US memory manufacturing
Micron Technology commends the passing of the “Chips and Science” legislation. The company says that this is a big step towards securing the future of semiconductor manufacturing in the United States and advancing American innovation and competitiveness.
Applied Materials looking to future-ready its workforce
Applied Materials South East Asia Pte. Ltd. has signed an MoU with the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) to develop and implement continuing education and training (CET) programmes for Applied Materials employees.
Kioxia & WDC to receive government subsidy for JV fab
Kioxia Corporation and Western Digital Corporation say that their joint venture, the Fab7 manufacturing facility at Yokkaichi Plant, has been approved to receive up to JPY 92.9 billion (USD 699.3 million) in subsidy from the Japanese government.
Green light for the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022
The United States House of Representatives has passed the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. A decision applauded by SEMI. The bill provides a 25% tax credit for US facilities that produce semiconductors or chipmaking equipment and USD 52 billion in funding for new semiconductor programs.
Littelfuse completes its acquisition of C&K Switches
Littelfuse has completed its acquisition of designer and manufacturer of high-performance electromechanical switches and interconnect solutions, C&K Switches.
Intel to make chips for MediaTek
MediaTek will use Intel Foundry Services to manufacture new chips for a range of smart edge devices.
Indie Semiconductor opens Dresden center of excellence
The center is said to be part of a company strategy to deliver local technical support for a rapidly growing base of OEM and Tier 1 automotive customers in the EMEA region.
Soitec: "We recorded our highest first quarter ever"
Semiconductor materials specialist Soitec reported consolidated revenue of EUR 203 million for the first quarter of FY’23, up 12% compared with EUR 180 million during the first quarter of FY’22.
ClassOne acquires complete chip line
ClassOne Equipment says it has acquired a major semiconductor fab’s complete chip manufacturing line.
SkyWater to bolster chip fabrication at Purdue
SkyWater plans to open a $1.8 billion semiconductor manufacturing facility in Discovery Park District at Purdue University to create 750 new direct jobs within five years.
Toyo Ink Group to focus on electronics materials in Shenzhen
Toyo Ink SC Holdings Co., Ltd., the parent company of the Tokyo-based materials manufacturer Toyo Ink Group, recently opened the Shenzhen Toyo Ink Technical Center in Shenzhen, China.
SkyWater awarded $27M option to facilitate US semiconductors
The Department of Defense is funding a $27 million Other Transactional Agreement Option for SkyWater to further develop intellectual property (IP) for its 90 nm Strategic Rad-Hard by Process (RH90) FDSOI technology platform.
Missouri signs bill for multi-million chip investment
Missouri Governor, Mike Parson signs house bill 3007, said to make Missouri a leader in ”innovation of advanced manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients and semiconductor computer chips”.
Bosch invests further billions in chip business
Bosch announces an investment of three billion euros in its semiconductor business by 2026 as part of the IPCEI on Microelectronics and Communications Technology.
Load more news