Counterfeit Integrated Circuits: A Rising Threat in the Global Semiconductor Supply Chain

TLDR

The global semiconductor supply chain’s growing complexity has made counterfeit electronics a major challenge, yet existing standards are limited and research on detecting and avoiding all types of counterfeit parts remains insufficient, posing reliability risks. The tutorial reviews current counterfeit detection and avoidance methods. It also discusses implementation challenges and outlines future development of new detection and avoidance mechanisms.

Abstract

As the electronic component supply chain grows more complex due to globalization, with parts coming from a diverse set of suppliers, counterfeit electronics have become a major challenge that calls for immediate solutions. Currently, there are a few standards and programs available that address the testing for such counterfeit parts. However, not enough research has yet addressed the detection and avoidance of all counterfeit parts-recycled, remarked, overproduced, cloned, out-of-spec/defective, and forged documentation-currently infiltrating the electronic component supply chain. Even if they work initially, all these parts may have reduced lifetime and pose reliability risks. In this tutorial, we will provide a review of some of the existing counterfeit detection and avoidance methods. We will also discuss the challenges ahead for implementing these methods, as well as the development of new detection and avoidance mechanisms.