Electronic Component and Cabling Protection
Market Background
Electronics is used in all types of systems, including information processing, telecommunication, Military, defense, automotive.
Counterfeit electronic devices as transistors, microprocessors, switches, wires, motors, generators, batteries, switches, relays, transformers, resistors, and other passive components makes digital information processing impossible.
The electronics industry comprises mass-market products that are produced in billions of pieces a year (mobile phones, TVs, PCs, etc.). The electronics also includes embedded electronics in transport (cars, planes, trains, etc.), in defense equipment, in IT infrastructures as well as electronics used in manufacturing process or professional electronic equipment.
The Counterfeit Electronics Problem is identified in an article by: Michael Pecht at the Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering (CALCE), University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
See article:
The DOD has confirmed problems, As identified in the DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL BASE ASSESSMENT: COUNTERFEIT ELECTRONICS PREPARED BY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE BUREAU OF INDUSTRY AND SECURITY OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION, ”The rise of counterfeit parts in the supply chain is exacerbated by demonstrated weaknesses in inventory management, procurement procedures, recordkeeping, reporting practices, inspection and testing protocols, and communication within and across all industry and government organizations”.
See full article:
Identify Broad Market Problem
Most issues evolve the lack of traceability and controls in the supply chain.
Even the DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL BASE ASSEMENT ON COUNTERFEIT ELECTRONICS RECOMMENDS, to expand use of authentication technologies by part manufacturers
Real world legal issue in this market
Recent reports show consumer and industrial businesses are losing approximately $250 billion each year because of counterfeit components as discussed in an article in Industry Week
Market Expertise
Lepton-id targets the Electronics Industry by authenticating both products and the equivalent packaging. The "Multi-Layered Approach" we referenced includes product and packaging of those products being protected. The solution design is targeted to ensure both the physical product is authentic, but is also being supplied via the intended part of the supply chain.
We continue to offer our customers a wide range of in-product identifiers and forensic proof if required to simply guarantee authentication. Our custom hardware and software techniques can use these product "markers" to detect counterfeiting, modification or even dilution.
Lepton-id has a wide variety of technologies that can be used to identoify authentic products including the PCB and the components of the PCB and the associated cabling. The taggants used can withstand very high temperatures and thus are able to withstand the components reflow requirement. This process authentication for components and then the subsequent packaging materials, such as tamper-evident seals, labels, caps, cartons adhesives and tapes provides the confidence customers demand in today’s industry.
A high level of confidence is obtaineb by the unique combination of different security features on the components, PCB, cabling and the packaging all these items into one cohesive authentication system
Our technology allows guaranteeing we can determine a product’s true pedigree or footprint anywhere in the manufacture and distribution of the product.
Case Study – Brand Protection
The Problem
A US manufacturer of components was developing field failures after 6 months use. Parts were returned for failure analysis (FA) via the sub-contractor. The major sub-contractor demanded 24 hour turn around on FA, corrective action and required to pay for all field recalls and replacement parts as well as installation and testing. Upon receipt of the parts, a detailed FA was underway. Parts received, lot code and date codes identified as well as manufacturing location (all from marking on component). The outside of the package looked correct. Photographs taken at each step, step 1 outside package---everything looked and measured correctly. Step 2 de-cap component---this is where was confirmed, that the product was in fact not real---it was counterfeit. The parts inside, were not from the original manufacturer.
The Recommendation
The use of Lepton-id taggants implemented at the production location embedded in epoxy overcoat, invisible to the human eyes and easily detected and confirmed original material in future products..
The Result
Now, the component manufacturer can insure material shipped is correct. The distributor can also verify the receipt of material at incoming is correct. The customer if they chose to can also detect and confirm parts are original and not counterfeit. At this stage, they accept a letter confirming originality via the last point of shipment—the distributor.