Counterfeiters are getting better, and many of the current non-destructive techniques – visual inspection, mechanical robustness, X-Ray, XRF, C-SAM, Infrared Thermography, electrical characterization, decapsulation and marking evaluations – may not be able to identify real components from fakes. The infiltration of counterfeit parts into electronics design is a growing concern as demand increases for reducing production costs.
Counterfeit components have been defined as a growing concern in recent years as demand increases for reducing costs. A counterfeit is any item that is not as it is represented with the intention to deceive its buyer or user. The misrepresentation is often driven by the known presence of defects or other inadequacies in regards to performance. Whether it is used for a commercial, medical or military application, a counterfeit component could cause catastrophic failure at a critical moment.
