Memorial Day Thoughts for the Electronics Industry

Memorial Day is when Americans honor those who sacrificed their lives in defense of freedom. It's a good time to consider what the electronics industry might do to help minimize those losses.

For those readers who don't know, Americans take this day annually to gather and take trips together, enjoying a long weekend of rest and remembrance. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the American Civil War and became an official US holiday in 1971.

Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or participating in parades. Throughout the country, people show their appreciation for those who gave their lives in service with gestures as simple as moments of silence.

Protecting our soldiers both at home and abroad is a top priority to those leading our military branches and government. Developing cutting-edge technologies that protect equipment and soldiers is a constant challenge for design engineers. Mission-critical systems must utilize high-quality components that deliver flawless functionality, particularly when used in potentially dangerous situations.

It is the responsibility of those involved in designing and manufacturing of equipment for the military, aerospace, and mission-critical applications to use trusted components from an authorized source.

Life-threatening parts
Counterfeit and substandard semiconductors are not only found in phones, computers, and other consumer goods, but also in potentially life-threatening applications, including military hardware, vehicles, and medical equipment.

The continuing escalation in the number of counterfeit parts making their way into the military supply chain has prompted US government agencies to take action by implementing more stringent purchasing policies and prosecuting known counterfeiters. However, these actions have not resulted in a reduction of counterfeit activity.

The semiconductor industry has a serious supply chain problem. The numbers do not lie. Counterfeit and substandard devices put people's lives at risk. Eliminating counterfeit devices from entering the supply chain and manufacturing process should be the single most important goal for the entire industry in 2013.

Those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country deserve immeasurable amounts of recognition and respect. By eliminating counterfeits and substandard devices from our mission-critical supply chains, hopefully there will be fewer soldiers to commemorate next Memorial Day.