Sourcing - ON TRACK FOR 2021: THE RACE BEGINS - Electronics Sourcing

Page created by Clyde Matthews
 
CONTINUE READING
Sourcing - ON TRACK FOR 2021: THE RACE BEGINS - Electronics Sourcing
sourcing
ELECTRONICS                                                                     JANUARY 2021

ON TRACK                  Despite pandemic,
                          distribution is strong
                                                   Chip market will
                                                   rise 8.4 per cent
FOR 2021:                 page 18                  page 30

THE RACE                  2021 outlook: the
                          curve is key
                                                   Expect tight supply
                                                   especially earlier in 2021
BEGINS                    page 26                  page 34

AN MMG PUBLISHING TITLE
Sourcing - ON TRACK FOR 2021: THE RACE BEGINS - Electronics Sourcing
200910_YDTBH_ELECSRG_NA.indd 1   9/8/20 2:30 PM
Sourcing - ON TRACK FOR 2021: THE RACE BEGINS - Electronics Sourcing
Editor's Word
  sourcing
  ELECTRONICS                                                                     JANUARY 2021

                                                                                                 On the cover – January 2021
                                                                                                 On track for 2021:
  ON TRACK
  FOR 2021:
  THE RACE
                            Despite pandemic,
                            distribution is strong
                            page 18

                            2021 outlook: the
                            curve is key
                                                     Chip market will
                                                     rise 8.4 per cent
                                                     page 30

                                                     Expect tight supply
                                                     especially earlier in 2021
                                                                                                 the race begins
  BEGINS                    page 26                  page 34

  AN MMG PUBLISHING TITLE

Contents

         04                                                                                                                                                                                                          2021, a year of
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     forced innovation
         News                                                                                                                                                                                                        I suffer from an addiction to
         Sensing a more controlled environment                                                                                                                                                                       technical innovation. I was born
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     to identify engineering problems
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     and try to design solutions. The

         12
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     upside is that I love every minute,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     of every challenge. The downside
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     is that any form of innovation can
         View from the Top                                                                                                                                                                                           be exhausting, time consuming and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     expensive, plus there is no guarantee
         Distribution: past, present, future                                                                                                                                                                         of success. It typically takes me 10
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     iterations to get close to a solution
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     I’m happy with.

         16                                                                                                                                                                                                          Thus, I understand exactly why some
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     distributors shy away from supply
         Passives                                                                                                                                                                                                    chain innovation. They likely have
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     a loyal customer base, established
         MLCC supply is beginning to tighten                                                                                                                                                                         linecard and stock on the shelf.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Why fix what isn’t broken? Then
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     along comes a global pandemic.

         32                                                                                                                                                                                                          Customers cancel orders, suppliers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     close factories and stock levels fall.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Suddenly there is a problem to solve.
         Circuit Protection                                                                                                                                                                                          Supply chain shocks are typically
         Purchasing’s role in board protection                                                                                                                                                                       localised, short duration and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     navigable. Likewise, systems
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     and process quickly return to

         38                                                                                                                                                                                                          equilibrium after the disruption
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     has been removed.

         Buyers’ Guide                                                                                                                                                                                               2021 feels different. The duration of
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     this pandemic seems to have given
         All the facts and figures to help you buy
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     companies long enough to learn how
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     to conduct business differently. Every
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     distributor I have spoken to thinks
                                                                                                                                                              Issue 100, Vol.12 No.01                                there will only be a partial return to
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     what we used to call normal.
         Contact                                                                                                                                              Published 12 times per year
                                                                                                                                                              by MMG Publishing US Ltd

                                                                                                                                                              MMG PUBLISHING US Ltd                                  The big differences will be how
         EDITORIAL                                                                                           CIRCULATION                                      Normandale Lake Center                                 device manufacturers, distributors
         Managing Editor: Jon Barrett                                                                        Circulation Manager: Vicky Leary                 8400 Normandale Lake Boulevard                         and OEMs communicate at a
         jonb@electronics-sourcing.com                                                                       vicky.leary@electronics-sourcing.com
         Contributing Editor: Amy Barker                                                                     Circulation Account Manager: Liz Poole
                                                                                                                                                              Suite 920, Bloomington MN 55437
                                                                                                                                                              Tel: 866.364.0951
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     personal level and share both
         amyb@electronics-sourcing.com                                                                       liz.poole@electronics-sourcing.com               Fax: 952.378.2770                                      technical and commercial data.
         Editorial & Production: Thomas Smart
         thomas.smart@electronics-sourcing.com                                                               PUBLISHER
                                                                                                                                                               @Electrosourcing                                     There is also the question of who
                                                                                                             Mark Leary                                       Printed in the United States
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     holds stock, how much and where?
         ADVERTISING                                                                                         mark.leary@electronics-sourcing.com              © 2021 MMG Publishing US Ltd
         Advertisement Manager: Emma Poole                                                                   Office Manager: Denise Pattenden
         emma.poole@electronics-sourcing.com                                                                 denise.pattenden@mmgpublishing.co.uk                                                                    To cope with this, supply chains
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     need a heavy dose of innovation:
                                                                                                                                                                                 ELECTRONICS
                                                                                                                                                                                 SOURCING
                                                                                                                                                                                 IS INDEPENDENTLY
         DESIGN                                                                                                                                                                  ABC AUDITED
                                                                                                                                                                                 2005/2019                           like it or not. Many distributors are
         Graphic Designer: Josh Hilton
         josh.hilton@electronics-sourcing.com                                                                                                                                                                        well down this road already. Don’t
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     get left behind.

Articles appearing in this magazine do not necessarily express the views of the Editor or the publishers. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information published. No legal responsibility will be
accepted by the publishers for loss arising from articles / information contained and published. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted
in any form without the written consent of the publishers. Cover image – ©istockphoto.com/LeArchitecto

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  January 2021 03
Sourcing - ON TRACK FOR 2021: THE RACE BEGINS - Electronics Sourcing
N
ES News                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Sensing a more
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            controlled environment
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Heilind Electronics has expanded its sensor
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            offering with the Omron D6T MEMS thermal

                                                      sourcing                                                                                                                                                                              sensor, designed for non-contact temperature
                                                      ELECTRONICS                                                                                     JANUARY 2021

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            measurement and human detection.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Designed for target areas between -40 and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            over 200oC, the D6T sensor uses Omron’s
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            proprietary MEMS sensing technology to
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            measure the surface temperature of an area
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            without contact. Unlike typical pyroelectric
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            human presence sensors that rely on motion,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            the D6T can detect the presence of stationary
                                                      ON TRACK                     Despite pandemic,
                                                                                   distribution is strong
                                                                                                            Chip market will
                                                                                                            rise 8.4 per cent
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            humans through body heat. Through
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            connection to smart devices the sensor
                                                      FOR 2021:                    page 18                  page 30

                                                      THE RACE                     2021 outlook: the
                                                                                   curve is key
                                                                                                            Expect tight supply
                                                                                                            especially earlier in 2021
                                                      BEGINS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            can automatically switch off unnecessary
                                                                                   page 26                  page 34

                                                      AN MMG PUBLISHING TITLE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            lighting and air conditioning when people
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            are not present.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Each model includes a MEMS thermopile, ASIC
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            and a signal processing microprocessor. D6T is
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            available in narrow and wide field versions. The
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            narrow field version suits applications where the
                                                      sourcing
                                                       ELECTRONICS
 ELECTRONICS SOURCING JANUARY — ANNUAL EDITION 2021

                                                                                                                                   JANUARY — ANNUAL EDITION 2021

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            object is a short distance away, while the wider
                                                                                                                                                                                        New flange-style                                    field version can provide a greater view of a
                                                                                                                                                                                        waveguide-to-coax                                   scene. Resolutions include single pixel,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1 by 8 and 4 by 4. A high-definition 32 by
                                                              2021, A YEAR OF SUPPLY                                                                                                    adapters in stock                                   32-pixel version is also offered.
                                                                CHAIN INNOVATION
                                                                                                                                                                                        Pasternack has expanded its line of euro-           www.heilind.com
                                                                                                                                                                                        style flange, waveguide-to-coax adapters
                                                                                                                                                                                        for satellite communications, radar, wireless
                                                                                                                                                                                        communications and test instrumentation
                                                                                                                                                                                        applications.                                       Power control and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            protection ICs
                                                       Capacitors: popular       Expect tight supply
                                                       and in demand             especially earlier in 2021

                                                                                                                                                                                        The adapters feature waveguide sizes from
                                                       page 08                   page 57

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            join marketplace
                                                       2021 outlook: the         Despite pandemic,

                                                                                                                                                                                        WR-22 to WR-430, European IEC standard
                                                       curve is key              distribution is strong
                                                       page 36                   page 60

                                                                                                                                                                                        flanges (including UBR square cover, UDR and
                                                       AN MMG PUBLISHING TITLE

                                                                                                                                                                                        PDR types), right-angle and end-launch coaxial      Digi-Key has announced a global distribution
                                                                                                                                                                                        connector options and N-type, SMA, 2.92mm           partnership with GLF Integrated Power, which
                                                                                                                                                                                        and 2.4mm connector choices.                        provides silicon power control and protection
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            integrated circuits for IoT, wearable, medical,
                                                                                                                                                                                        RF Passive Components’ product line manager,        automotive, asset tracking and security markets.
                                                                                                                                                                                        Steven Pong, said: “Our new line of flange-         The products are available through the Digi-Key
                                                      sourcing
                                                      ELECTRONICS

                                                                                                                                                                                        style waveguide-to-coax adapters comply with        Electronics Marketplace
                                                                     – JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
                                                                                                                                                                                        European IEC standards to support customers
                                                                                                               201208_YTDBH_ELECSRG_EU_Snipe.indd 1                  12/2/20 12:20 PM
                                                                                                                                                                                        and waveguide systems that utilize these flange     Digi-Key’s vice president of global supplier
                                                                                                                                                                                        standards. The new adapters are all in-stock and    management, David Stein, said: GLF Integrated
                                                                                                                                                                                        available off-the-shelf to address our customers’   Power’s ultra-efficient semiconductor offerings
                                                                                                                                                                                        urgent needs.”                                      provide the IoT, wearable and portable device
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            market next-level options for longer lasting,
                                                                                                                                                                                        The adapters transform waveguide transmission       more efficient designs.”
                                                                                                                                                                                        lines into 50-ohm coaxial lines, allowing power
                                                                                                                                                                                        to be transmitted in either direction with each     GLF Integrated Power’s CEO, Eileen Sun,
                                                                                                                                                                                        adapter covering the full frequency range of its    added: “As a trusted global supplier of
                                                                                                                                                                                        waveguide band.                                     electronic components and a key resource for
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            design engineers and supply chain managers,
                                                                                                                                                                                        www.infiniteelectronics.com                         the Digi-Key Marketplace is a great fit for GLF
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            load switches, power deep sleep protection
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            components, battery protection ICs and power
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            multiplexers.”

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Digikey.com

04 January 2021 • www.electronics-sourcing.com
Sourcing - ON TRACK FOR 2021: THE RACE BEGINS - Electronics Sourcing
Sourcing - ON TRACK FOR 2021: THE RACE BEGINS - Electronics Sourcing
N
ES News
In Brief
Investing in interconnect
Electronic Connector Co is
expanding with a move to
a new facility in Downers
Grove, Illinois. With everything

                                                                                         Investing in US
under one roof, customer
benefits include: faster,

                                                                                         engineering
more efficient assembly and
warehousing; increased
flexibility to grow connector
                                     Expanded US
production and ShrinkMate
EMI/RFI heat shielding
                                     power portfolio                                     Gowanda Components Group completed
                                                                                         a nearly 50 per cent expansion at its Dyco
production; and a more robust        TT Electronics has completed the acquisition of     Electronics facility in Hornell, New York. The
infrastructure and enhanced          Torotel, a US-based designer and manufacturer       12,000ft2 expansion is designed to help the
supply chain logistics.              of high-reliability power and electromagnetic       company address market demand for its
eccoconnectors.com
                                     assemblies and components for the aerospace         products, enhance workflow and improve
PWM fans immediately                 and defense markets. The acquisition broadens       operational effic-iency.
available                            TT’s power electronics capabilities and expands
Sager Electronics is now             the company’s presence in the US aerospace          Dyco Electronics’ president, Greg Georgek,
stocking NMB’s PWM cooling           and defense market, building on the recently        said: “We manufacture custom components
fans. This new series of             acquired Covina.                                    and assemblies for the rail industry, so size and
high performance, four-                                                                  scale were important drivers for this expansion.
wire, PWM driven fans,               TT Electronics’ CEO, Richard Tyson, said: “We       In addition, we’ve seen growth in our overall
with tachometer signal, are
designed to offer high torque,       are delighted to complete the acquisition           custom manufacturing business in recent years,
efficient motor technology           of Torotel. It represents a fantastic fit within    with projections for that to continue, as our
and aerodynamic impeller             our existing US power electronics business,         customers have increased their outsourcing of
design. Stated benefits include      strengthens our position in critical defense        more assemblies to Dyco.”
increased fan life expectancy,       applications and further develops our global
energy efficiency, lower             electromagnetics design and manufacturing           Dyco engineers custom solutions for aerospace,
vibration/noise and current          capability. We’re delighted to be able to           military, space, medical and industrial
spike protection.                    welcome the Torotel team into the TT group.”        applications, in addition to providing solutions
www.sager.com
                                                                                         for rail transportation.
Weaker PCB bookings                  TT Electronics Power Solutions’ EVP, Michael
Commenting on October’s              Leahan, added: “Torotel is a great fit for TT       GCG’s CEO, Don McElheny, added: “GCG
PCB figures IPC’s chief              supporting our strategy to build leading            has been strategically focused on having its
economist, Shawn DuBravac,           positions in high-performance, high-reliability     component and assembly manufacturing be
said: “The current environment       markets such as aerospace and defense               USA-based for decades, long before it recently
is starting to look increasingly     where the proliferation of electronics is driving   became popular to do so. GCG’s investment in
like a normal recession and          increased demand for our custom power               the expansion of Dyco Electronics is yet another
less like the initial shock.
There does appear to be
                                     management and conversion systems.”                 example of our commitment to this strategy.”
some backlog within the
system which should sustain          www.ttelectronics.com                               www.gowandacomponentsgroup.com
shipments in the next month
or two, but it is increasingly
looking like weaker bookings,
especially for flexible PCBs,
will define the start of 2021.”
                                                   Enhanced security for IoT
www.ipc.org                                        and industrial applications
ISO14001 and 45001                   Mouser is now stocking Renesas Electronics’         code flash memory, 256Kbyte of SRAM, and a
certifications                       new RA6M4 32-bit microcontrollers. Uniting          capacitive touch sensing unit.
NewPower Worldwide has               connectivity, security and performance, RA6M4       The devices’ security capabilities include an
achieved ISO14001 and
ISO45001 certifications. Chief       microcontrollers are designed to speed the          integrated security cryptography module with
quality officer, Barry Lafontaine,   development of edge and endpoint IoT devices        several accelerators, power analysis resistance
said: “These certifications          and applications such as metering, HVAC,            and tamper detection. They are supported by
validate our best practices          premises security and industrial equipment.         Renesas’ Flexible Software Package (FSP), which
in managing and minimizing                                                               enables rapid implementation of complex
our impact on the environment        The microcontrollers are built on a 40nm            security and connectivity functions by allowing
and our responsibility to            process, consuming 99μA/MHz in active mode.         customers to reuse legacy code and combine it
protect the health and safety        They boast a 200 MHz Arm Cortex-M33 core            with software from other Arm partners.
of our employees.”
www.newpowerww.com                   based on the Armv8-M architecture with Arm
                                     TrustZone technology and come with 1Mbyte of        mouser.com

06 January 2021 • www.electronics-sourcing.com
Sourcing - ON TRACK FOR 2021: THE RACE BEGINS - Electronics Sourcing
All
       All  charged
        Allcharged   up?
            chargedup?
                    up?

  Experts  in
            Experts
              battery
        Experts   in inpack
                        battery
                     battery design
                                 packdesign
                               pack   and
                                        design
                                           manufacturing,
                                                andmanufacturing,
                                               and    manufacturing,
                                                              Sager Power
                                                                       Sager
                                                                       SagerSystems
                                                                               Power
                                                                                PowerSystems
                                                                                       will match
                                                                                        Systems  will
                                                                                                   your
                                                                                                      match
                                                                                                   will match your
                                                                                                                 your     Exp
 battery power
          battery
       battery  requirements
                   power
                power      requirements
                                  with proven,
                         requirements       withproven,
                                           with  reliable,
                                                  proven, reliable,
                                                           reliable,
                                                           and costand
                                                                     effective
                                                                     and cost
                                                                          costeffective
                                                                                solutions.
                                                                                effectivesolutions.
                                                                                            We have We
                                                                                            solutions. ex-We
                                                                                                           have  ex- ex- batte
                                                                                                              have
tensive experience
         tensive
      tensive     experience
                      with Li-ion,
               experience       with
                             with  Li-primary,
                                     Li-ion,Li-primary,
                                    Li-ion,  Li-primary,
                                                Ni-MH, Sealed
                                                          Ni-MH,Lead
                                                         Ni-MH,   Sealed
                                                                       Acid
                                                                   Sealed  Lead
                                                                             (SLA)
                                                                            Lead Acid
                                                                                   including
                                                                                  Acid (SLA)
                                                                                         (SLA)including
                                                                                               Pure   Lead
                                                                                                including Pure  Lead
                                                                                                             Pure  Lead tensiv
   TPPL,TPPL,
          andTPPL,
               more!
                and andLetmore!
                           ourLet
                       more!    team
                                 Letour
                                     our
                                       design
                                          teamand
                                         team    design
                                                     manufacture
                                                design   and manufacture
                                                        and    manufacture
                                                                    your nextyour
                                                                               custom
                                                                              your next
                                                                                    nextbattery
                                                                                         custom
                                                                                           custompack.
                                                                                                  battery
                                                                                                     batterypack.
                                                                                                               pack.       TP

                                     POWER
                                         POWER
                                           YOUR WAY
                                         POWER  YOUR WAY
                                                YOUR WAY

                                                                     A SPECIALIZED GROUP
                                                                                     A SPECIALIZED
                                                                                         WITHIN SAGER
                                                                                                   GROUP
                                                                                                      ELECTRONICS
                                                                                                         WITHIN SAGER ELECTRONICS
                                                                                       A SPECIALIZED GROUP WITHIN SAGER ELECTRONICS

 Authorized
          Authorized
            Value-AddValue-Add
                      and Reseller
                               and of:
                                   Reseller of:                              Authorized
                                                                                      Authorized
                                                                                        Distributor
                                                                                                 Distributor
                                                                                                    of:      of:                      Auth
      Authorized Value-Add and Reseller of:                                            Authorized Distributor of:

                   valueadd.sager.com
                           valueadd.sager.com
                                      • 1.866.588.1750
                                              • 1.866.588.1750
                                                       • power@sager.com
                                                               • power@sager.com
                         valueadd.sager.com • 1.866.588.1750 • power@sager.com
Sourcing - ON TRACK FOR 2021: THE RACE BEGINS - Electronics Sourcing
Supply Chain Management

Shock proofing your
supply chain
Diversifying vendors and locations allows manufacturers to be more adaptable to
changing markets and less affected by supply chain disruptions

The pandemic has had a             caused by force majeures put      be conducted without delay     contingency plans. Companies
largescale impact on demand        in place by governments.          to ensure new suppliers are    should be aware of what
and supply, exemplifying                                             compliant and reliable.        will be affected, the gravity
the need for stronger supply       Fusion Worldwide’s COO, Paul                                     of the impact and how
chains. A second wave could        Romano, said: “Companies          Fusion Worldwide’s EVP         prepared they are.
result in further global           normally look to introduce        of trade, Tobey Gonnerman,
disruption, making supply          secondary suppliers during        added: “Strong vendor          By closely monitoring market
chain resiliency even more         chaotic events but quickly        partnership with               events and the status of their
crucial. Despite this, a recent    forget the necessity once the     open market suppliers are      supply chains in relation to
Gartner survey showed              issue is resolved. With the       critical to an OEM’s ability   it, companies are equipped
that only 21 per cent of           pandemic, companies will          to deal with supply chain      to take proactive actions and
respondents stated they have a     also need to geographically       adversity. Those who wait      immediately react.
highly resilient network, which    diversify their supply chains     until the shortages occur
includes the ability to shift      to lessen their dependence        are the ones most severely     Finally, with manufacturers
sourcing and manufacturing         on a single location.”            impacted: in terms of over-    of certain components
activities around quickly.                                           cost and quality assurance.”   condensed in one region,
                                   Geographical diversification                                     one type of product will be
To successfully accomplish a       is a long-term solution due       One mitigation strategy        greatly affected by political
resilient supply chain, sourcing   to the time and investment        is to establish alternative    events and natural disasters.
components from various            required. Despite this, it is     sources with the ability to    By spreading out factory and
suppliers and geographically       a powerful step in securing       supply components normally     supplier location, companies
diversifying production            supply chains. By strategically   produced by a single source.   will be more protected against
stages is key. Though supply       placing and out-spreading                                        condensed shocks.
chain diversification is vital     where product is produced,        Another option is to expand
in protecting manufacturers        procured and stored,              the approved vendor list       www.fusionww.com
against shocks, its importance     companies are more able to        or AVL. This offers more
is usually only reminded when      safeguard against unexpected      options when supply chain
weaknesses start to show.          future catastrophe.               disruptions occur. A company
                                                                     with a large AVL can more
According to PwC, CFOs             In the short term, companies      easily solve component
expecting to change the            can diversify their vendor        shortages and is more able
breadth of their supply chains     base and products. As             to leverage suppliers.
went from 30 to 42 per cent        disruption escalates, it is
from the beginning to the end      important to start improving      Understand what supply chain      The top three places capacitors are being
of March. This correlates with     strategic sourcing strategies.    links are vulnerable, then     manufactured account for 56 per cent of its global
the spike in factory shutdowns     Vetting processes need to         set up risk management and             production. Source: z2data.com

08 January 2021 • www.electronics-sourcing.com
Sourcing - ON TRACK FOR 2021: THE RACE BEGINS - Electronics Sourcing
SUPERIOR
SOURCING WITH
A GLOBAL REACH.
Fusion Worldwide is the premier sourcing distributor of
electronic components and finished products. We work
alongside customers to create customized solutions to
overcome their biggest supply chain challenges.

 Learn more about the Fusion Advantage at www.fusionww.com.
Sourcing - ON TRACK FOR 2021: THE RACE BEGINS - Electronics Sourcing
Anti-counterfeiting

Uncovering the truth about
semiconductor counterfeiting
In this article, Rochester Electronics discusses why authorization is the
ultimate tool in the fight against counterfeit components

In times of supply shortage, or     Heat and mechanical damage           datasheet only provides a
where component obsolescence        (from part removal) can result       subset of the characteristics
limits availability, counterfeit    in long-term reliability issues.     tested by the original chip
devices are more prevalent.         Exposure to excessive humidity,      manufacturer. Test houses
Counterfeiters have moved           water and salt air atmosphere        do not have the original
beyond incorrect logos and          is often routine in used part        manufacturer’s test program.
packages with no die inside,        recovery. This process can
caught by the simplistic visual     produce an authentic used            Effective test requires high fault
inspection testing used by          product that has questionable        coverage and accurate fault
those following AS6081.             reliability. Authenticity does not   modeling done by the OCM.
Counterfeiters now have more        ensure reliability.                  AS6171 calls out far greater
sophisticated operations.                                                testing for parts bought through
                                    Identifiable surplus stock           independent distribution and
Customers whose normal              and traceability provide no          yet is rarely fully followed.
supply chain proves insufficient    guarantee regarding the storage
may assume unauthorized or          conditions encountered during        Authorized after-market
gray market sources are the         the component’s complete             suppliers and manufacturers,
only solution and that ‘testing’    shelf-life.                          such as Rochester Electronics,
can eliminate risks. Nothing                                             provide the only 100 per cent

                                                                                                                         “”
could be further from the truth.    Customers may incorrectly            guaranteed and counterfeit-
                                    assume testing provides a 100        free source for active-shortage
One type of counterfeit             per cent genuine guarantee.          and obsolete semiconductors.
semiconductor is non-               At its most basic, third party       Finished devices stored and
functional or scrap product         testing comprises one or some        supplied by authorized sources         Authorized after-
which is re-marked as good and      of the following techniques.         are guaranteed to come only
re-sold. Likewise, functional                                            from the OCM and to have                     market
yet sub-standard product
purchased by a counterfeiter
                                    Paperwork and visual
                                    inspection is unlikely to
                                                                         been stored in-line with the
                                                                         OCM’s recommendations.
                                                                                                                suppliers provide
is remarked and re-sold as full     identify professional counterfeit    These products offer a 100 per          the only 100 per
grade product at an increased
price.
                                    devices. Traceability documents
                                    and certificates are regularly
                                                                         cent conformance guarantee.
                                                                                                                 cent guaranteed
                                    forged to support the overall        As a licensed manufacturer,           and counterfeit-free
Recycled and recovered              deception. X-ray inspection is       Rochester can offer ongoing
components are also sold as         unlikely to identify fraudulently    production of obsolete devices.        source for active-
new. The process of removing        up-screened, well-marked             Built from known-good-die,           shortage and obsolete
parts from boards and altering      recovered and re-used, or            these products are tested using
logos can cause long-term           recovered failed-test devices.       the OCM test procedures and,            semiconductors
damage not seen on first            Basic continuity or functional       in many cases, the original test
power-up. Chemical residues         testing will not identify the        equipment: guaranteed 100 per
from the cleaning process can       fraudulently up-screened or          cent compliant to the original
slowly enter and contaminate        well-marked recovered and re-        specification.
the device, causing bond-pad        used devices. Finally, regarding                                            Why the only risk-free solution is
or bond-wire failures in-service.   full functional testing, the         www.rocelec.com                               fully authorized

10 January 2021 • www.electronics-sourcing.com
© 2020 Rochester Electronics, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

                                                                WE KEEP THINGS MOVING.
                                                          The world’s largest continuous source of semiconductors.

                                                          Authorized Distribution   Licensed Manufacturing   Manufacturing Services
View from the Top

Distribution: past,
present, future
Electronics Sourcing discusses history, acquisitions, challenges and recipes
for success with Hughes Peters’ president, Mike Okel

Hughes-Peters might be a          recent years and how do           board with the company
relatively new distributor        you envisage the electronic       focus and expectations.
to some ESNA readers.             component supply chain            Second, we developed a very
However, the company has          developing?                       specific business model. Our
been in business for 100-years                                      model focuses on long-term
and boasts a long history         I cannot speak about the          customers we can do demand
in electronic component           first 60-years since I have       creation with. We also provide
distribution. The company has     only been in distribution         value-added services for those
experienced strong growth         for the last forty. The list      customers, which takes the
over the last 20-years under      of challenges during those        transactional cost out of their
its current ownership: Mike       years would be very long.         business while shortening lead
Okel, president; Mike Smith,      In general, distribution has      times. We know our strengths
VP of sales; and Donna            faced margin erosion, while       and we stay in our lane.
Hensley, Vice President.          needing to bring more services

Q
                                  to its customers. Distributors    www.hughespeters.com
        Among four                that have survived and
        acquisitions in           grown have developed ways
12-years, Hughes-Peters           to use great employees with
acquired Hammond                  technology to achieve success.                                        Hughes Peters’ president, Mike Okel
Electronics in 2017 and           Distribution does more today
Tonar Industries in 2020.         than just pick and ship parts.
How are customers                 In many cases, we have
benefitting now that these        become part of the customer’s
companies are under the           manufacturing team, and

                                                                                                                  “”
Hughes-Peters umbrella?           part of our supplier’s design
                                  team. Being the company
Every acquisition has been        in the middle we take on
a building block for Hughes       new responsibilities for our
Peters. In each case we have
expanded our geographic
                                  customers and suppliers. We
                                  must continue to be an “easy
                                                                                                      Distribution has faced
reach, added talent and           to do business with” company,                                       margin erosion, while
                                                                                                        needing to bring
picked up new manufacturers       while adapting to the changes
for an already strong line        and challenges our industry
card. The benefits for these      presents.                                                            more services to its
                                 Q
added locations include
the support of a financially             To what do you                                                     customers
sound company; inventory                 attribute your
management programs and           company’s consistent
value-added services; and         growth?
access to a best-in-class
line card.                        I believe two key things

Q
                                  have made Hughes Peters
        2021 sees the             successful. First and foremost,
        company’s 100th           our great people. You will
Birthday. What have been          never have a strong, growing
the biggest distribution          business without a team
challenges over more              that is dedicated and on

12 January 2021 • www.electronics-sourcing.com
DISTRIBUTOR OF ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS

LET US BE YOUR #1 FAN
WE HAVE:
            SUPPLIER
✓ $2m in Fan Inventory
✓ Over 80,000 Fans IN STOCK!
✓ 300 Different Part Numbers

HUGHES PETERS SERVICE!
✓ 12 office locations
✓ 2 Distribution Centers
   (Ohio & Florida)

✓ 24 Field Sales Reps &
  24 Inside Sales Reps
✓ Value-Add and Inventory
  Management programs

        www.hughespeters.com
                      (800) 590-4055
Ask the Experts

Capacitors: plentiful,
simple and cheap?
Newark’s supplier account manager, Euan Gilligan, explains why something as
simple and cheap as a capacitor can suffer supply chain problems

Why are capacitors always         the main Japanese based          demand. Since this time,
a problem component to            manufacturers, notably           many have invested in new
source? They are so plentiful,    TDK & Murata, decreasing         production facilities and
simple and cheap there should     production of their larger       additional manufacturing
never be shortages in the         case size ceramic capacitors     equipment to be more agile
supply chain.                     in favor of moving to smaller    in ramping up production
                                  case sizes, created an issue     to meet future increases in
2018 saw significant growth       with availability of capacitor   demand. 2019 lead times have
in market demand for              components such as MLCCs.        reduced and stabilized at a
capacitors. This was due to                                        more normal level so there
                                                                                                  Newark’s supplier account manager,
the increase of component         Manufacturers impacted by        is currently good component
                                                                                                            Euan Gilligan
content in applications, driven   extended lead times didn’t       availability in the market.
by market segments such           have enough flexibility in
as automotive. Increased          their production capacity        www.newark.com
demand, alongside some of         to scale up to the market

Capacitors:
more than
meets the eye
AVX’s technical sales group manager and fellow, Ron Demcko explains that
capacitor manufacturing is an increasingly complex process, making order
planning critical to supply flow

Capacitors play an essential      is anything but simple. There    Manufacturing process time,
role in electronics and are       are hundreds of thousands        coupled with exponentially
literally everywhere in our       of variations of capacitors      increasing use by an ever-
daily lives. Their presence is    and manufacturing requires       larger number of systems,
growing exponentially as          cutting edge technology          makes order planning
new electronic devices emerge     coupled with the engineering     of capacitors critical to
and as existing electronics       of the latest rare materials,    supply flow.
get more complicated, useful      which both have a defined
and powerful.                     time to complete.                www.avx.com

Many users consider               An example is the multi-layer
                                                                                                  AVX’s technical sales group manager
capacitors to be simple           ceramic capacitor (MLCC).
                                                                                                       and fellow, Ron Demcko
two terminal devices that         Size has reduced to the point
store and release electrical      where devices are about
charge or block DC signals        the size of a grain of salt.
in circuitry. Though the          Likewise, the number of layers
application understanding         in MLCCs has increased to
is broadly correct, the           >1000 over the years.
construction of these devices

14 January 2021 • www.electronics-sourcing.com
Introducing

                             Genuine electronic components f rom
                                  only authorized sources.

                                    100%
                              Authorized Sources
                                                     24M+
                                                   Unique Part Numbers

                                        4K+
                          Leading Manufacturers
                                                      BOM
                                                   Management Tools

                       Always Real-Time Pricing and Availability

               Search authorized distributors at

TrustedParts Ad Full Page 2020.indd 1                                    5/7/20 2:46 PM
Passives

MLCC supply is
beginning to tighten
As lead times grow, expect the MLCC market to tighten throughout 2021.
By TTI’s vice president of product and supplier marketing, Jeff Ray

After a prolonged lull during     Increased demand from            true most MLCC suppliers
2019 and most of 2020, the        the communications and           increased capacity through
supply of MLCCs is beginning      transportation sectors can       factory expansion and
to tighten. Lead times are        generally be attributed          additional manufacturing
extending across many case        to advancements in 5G            equipment, an unfortunate
sizes and suppliers, both in      infrastructure and cellular      result of the soft 2019 and
commercial and automotive-        handsets in Asia, and to         1H 2020 MLCC market is that
grade components.                 a lesser degree the global       many manufacturers reduced
                                  automotive market’s move         their workforces. Re-staffing
Factors causing this tightening   toward the electrification       trained MLCC production
include: increased demand         of drive trains along with       operators and inspectors has
from the communications           more robust safety and           remained a challenge.
and transportation                infotainment applications.
sectors; depleted global          The communications sector        Here is what we see
inventories; and supply chain     is a large consumer of small     developing in the market
challenges due to increasing      case size MLCCs (≤ 0402)         right now:
manufacturing facility            in both commercial and
absenteeism and increased         automotive grades.                 Current market conditions
transit times. Expect the                                            see small case size (≤
MLCC market to intensify          For the most part, the             0402) low-CV commercial
consistently throughout 2021.     remaining factors can be           grade MLCCs being
                                  attributed to supply chain         available, with few
                                  issues in 2020. This has been      exceptions by type or
                                  a year of adjustment in the        manufacturer.
                                  global supply of MLCCs, with                                          TTI’s vice president of product and supplier
                                  customers, distributors and        Small case (0201 and                            marketing, Jeff Ray
                                  manufacturers correcting           0402) low-CV and high-CV
                                  their inventory levels, maybe      automotive grade MLCCs
                                  even overcorrecting in some        are less stable: lead times
                                  cases. The lower-than-             are extending by eight to
                                  market demand for MLCC             10-weeks into the 24-           has come online to address
                                  inventory has left some            week range.                     this market demand.
                                  customers’ supply chains                                           Lead times remain in
                                  exposed to the recent uptick       Large case (≥ 0603)             the 20 to 24-week range
                                  in the communications and          high-CV automotive              for both low-CV and
                                  transportation markets.            grade MLCC lead times           high-CV commercial
                                                                     have remained extended          and automotive grade
                                  This combination of                throughout 2020 and are         components.
                                  increased demand and recent        currently in the 20 to 24-
                                  developments of increased          week range.                   As we move from a difficult
                                  absenteeism at factories have                                    2020 into a new period
                                  placed a strain on MLCC            Large case (≥ 0603)           of market uncertainty, the
                                  supply chains. As distributors     low-CV commercial grade       importance of having a
                                  and customers shift into           MLCC lead times are also      distribution partner becomes
                                  catch-up mode, the increase        extended, typically in the    even more apparent. As
                                  in demand will foster further      17 to 22-week range. Note     the market leader in MLCC
                                  MLCC lead-time extensions.         that lead-times for 1206-     distribution, we’re committed
                                                                     2220 case size components     to communicating today’s
                                  Capacity limitations may           (which are on the upper       evolving market conditions to
                                  seem unlikely in light of          end of the large-case MLCC    help you make the best supply
                                  well-documented MLCC               portfolio) have remained      chain decisions.
                                  manufacturing capacity             extended throughout 2020
                                  increases in 2019. While it’s      as less additive capacity     www.tti.com

16 January 2021 • www.electronics-sourcing.com
Ask the Supply Chain

Capacitor distribution:
exploring the
fundamentals                             Digi-Key Electronics’ vice-president, global
                                             supplier management, David Stein

Digi-Key Electronics’ vice-president,
global supplier management,
David Stein discusses some of the
fundamentals underpinning
capacitor supply and demand

The capacitor industry experiences
shortages for a variety of reasons.
To start, capacitors are widely
used in various end markets with
high output. The automobile
and consumer industries are just
two examples where sometimes
thousands of capacitors are
needed to build a single product.

Secondly, capacitor suppliers
have consolidated and some
manufacturers have ended
production of certain capacitors
due to lack of supplier profitability,
causing less supply and higher
prices. Increasing factory capacity
can take anywhere from 12 to
18-months and is very costly,
whereas capacitor demand has
remained robust in new design
activity. Manufacturers have been
hesitant to invest given the overall
pressures on average selling prices
over the past 10-years.

Finally, over the past two decades,
suppliers have focused on creating,
designing and manufacturing
smaller, more powerful products.
Manufacturers have shifted
production output to smaller case
size products versus larger case
sizes, resulting in shortages for
designs with larger case sizes.

To summarize, the popularity
of capacitors in design activity
will continue. Suppliers have not
made major investments to shift
supply to the market. Therefore,
continued shortages in certain
capacitor categories seemingly are
part of the future state.

digikey.com

                                                                                        January 2021 17
DISTRIBUTION MARKET WATCH

                    Despite pandemic, executives
                        say North American
                       distribution is strong
                                    The state of North American distribution is healthy because distributors are essential
                                                            links in the electronics supply chain

                                                                                   James Carbone

          Electronics distribution                 we bring to the market for our
          executives say the state of              suppliers and our customers,”
          North American distribution is           he said.
          robust and will continue to grow
          because its role in the electronics      Some distributors reported sales
          supply chain is essential and            increases for the year, while
          growing in importance to both            others say their businesses
          electronics component buyers             bounced back in the third and
          and component manufacturers.             fourth quarters and they expect                                                 “American
                                                   strong sales growth in 2021.
          While the coronavirus pandemic           Longer term, distributors expect                                                 distribution is very
          resulted in double-digit declines        continued healthy sales growth                                                   strong. Part of the
          in sales for some distributors           in North America because of
          in the second quarter of 2020,           stronger component demand                                                        reason it’s been
          the pandemic will not have               from such segments as 5G,                                                        strong for us is we
          a long-term impact on sales              medical, artificial intelligence
          growth. Distributors say they            and alternative energy. At the                                                   are more involved
          have weathered the downturn              same time more traditional                                                       on the design side”
          caused by the pandemic and               customer segments such as
          North American business started          industrial and automotive,
          to recover in the second half of         will continue to grow in North                Mark Burr-Lonnon, senior vice
          the year.                                America.                                      president EMEA, Asia and global
                                                                                                 service at Mouser Electronics
          Distributors say the recovery             “American distribution is very
          shows the resilience of the North         strong,” said Mark Burr-Lonnon,
          American distribution industry            senior vice president EMEA, Asia         Distribution differences              as it does in Asia,” he said. Other
          and confirms how important                and global service at Mouser             Distribution in Asia is different     customer segments such as
          the role of distribution is in the        Electronics. “Part of the reason         than in North America in some         Internet of Things, industrial and
          electronics supply chain.                 it’s been strong for us is we are        ways. “The Americas distribution      medical are strong segments
          When the pandemic hit North               more involved on the design side.        business is more similar to           with distributors worldwide.
          America last March, “we did not           The U.S. remains a powerhouse            the European market than it           Burr-Lonnon added the military-
          miss a day,” said Phil Gallagher,         of design.”                              is to Asia, specifically with our     aerospace market is a “strong
          Avnet CEO. “Everybody thought                                                      concentration of mid-sized            market for distribution in North
          the supply chain was going to be          He said while Mouser is seeing           industrial OEMs that work to          America and Europe,” but not in
          disrupted. The silver lining for          strong growth in Asia and Europe         provide solutions across a            Asia.
          us is we did not miss a day,” he          because it is “fertile ground for        broad range of applications,”
          said. “I think it further explains        us to grow, we see good growth           said Rick Marano, president of        Don Akery, president, TTI
          the positive value that we                In the Americas. This year (2020)        Arrow Electronics’ Americas           Americas, said emphasis on
          bring to the technology supply            were going to be up over six per         components business.                  total cost of ownership (TCO)
          chain. We’re in the center of             cent in the Americas in terms of                                               is another way North American
          the technology supply chain. It           dollars and the number of buyers,”       Consumer does not play as             distribution is different than
 C        reinforces
      368145-ESNA      the importance
                     Market   Watch Ads of
                                        - 2what
                                             Spreadshev1said.
                                                          2.pdf   1    11/19/20    6:47 PM   significant a role in the Americas    distribution in Asia. He said Asian    C

 M                                                                                                                                                                        M

 Y                                                                                                                                                                        Y

CM                                                            Widest selection of                                                                    ck
                                                                                                                                                                         CM    N
                                                                                                                                              In sto
MY

CY
                                                              electronic components                                                                                      MY

                                                                                                                                                                         CY
                                                                                                                                                                               o
CMY                                                                                                                                                                      CMY

 K                                                                                                                                                                        K
EXCLUSIVELY SPONSORED BY MOUSER ELECTRONICS

        customers focus more on piece         future,” said Akery. As electronic
        price and immediate stock than        content continues to increase,
        on cost of ownership.                 distribution will be needed to                                                    Avnet CEO Phil Gallagher
                                              help smooth the demand cycles,
        North American and European           he said.
        customers “require competitive
        pricing, but it is not the only       Distribution will play a key role
        data point in their procurement       in managing the supply chain for
        decisions,” said Akery. They seem     the largest customers but will
        to value distributors’ support of     also continue to support the long
        their design efforts as TCO.          tail of smaller customers, Akery
                                              added. TI has seen its customer
                                                                                              “Relationships and
        He added North American               base in the Americas and globally                 trust matter. Our
        customers are buying more
        components through distribution
                                              increase for years as more
                                              “electronic capabilities are being
                                                                                                  customers and
        than they were 10 years ago.          added to many products,” he said.                    suppliers have
        “The component shortages from
        2017 and 2018 helped drive the        The role of distribution will
                                                                                                 choices and they
        distribution value proposition of     evolve especially with how                        will choose to do
        assurance of supply, especially       distributors interface with
        on the low average selling price      customers. “We are seeing a large
                                                                                                    business with
        components,” said Akery.              increase in customers connecting                  people they trust”
                                              directly with our systems via APIs
        Many buyers analyzed the “cost        (Application Program Interface)
        of missing components to the          to receive real-time information           consolidated in terms of suppliers   Gallagher noted that distribution
        cost of having a distributor          required to support their                  and distributors over the last       design support is growing in
        inventory and pipeline inventory      business,” said Akery. “This digital       10 years, and over that time,        North American and other regions
        and determined that it is much        interface is an opportunity and a          expectations from our customers      of the world. “ For years all the
        less expensive to work with a         risk for distributors,” he said.           and suppliers have increased,”       designs were done in the West
        distributor,” he said. Buyers moved                                              said Marano.                         and all the production was done
        from using only purchasing            The use of APIs is an example                                                   in Asia-Pac. That’s not the case
        price variance (PPV) as the           of how the distribution business           Customers expect that                anymore,” he said. While there
        sourcing reason to total cost         is changing. However, change               distributors “supplement their       is still a lot of design in North
        of acquisition/ownership.             is a constant in electronics               efforts across a broad range of      America, more design work is also
                                              distribution and has had an                new and existing technologies”       being done in Asia, he said.
        Smoothing demand cycles               impact on the role of distributors.        such as embedded, security and
        Distribution’s role in the supply     One big change in distribution             cloud,” he said.                     “We’re still doing a lot of design
        chain will continue to grow in        and the electronics industry has                                                work and our customers expect
        importance. “Distribution will        been consolidation.                        Suppliers, meanwhile, want to        us to do design here and service
        continue to be a key provider in                                                 broaden their customer bases into    the supply chain wherever they
        the electronic supply chain in the    “The distribution world has                the “mass market of OEMs and         manufacture,” he said.
                                                                                         we’ve had to adapt our approach
                                                                                         to ensure that we provide them       Buyers can expect distributors
                                                                                         the scale they expect from us,”      to invest in services such as
                                                                                         he said. As a result, Arrow has      design, value added and cloud
                                                                                         invested in engineering and          capabilities. Digital platforms will
                                                                                         technical resources and tools, ERP   continue to proliferate to provide
                                                                                         systems, and a broadened sales       customers with a full on-line
                                                                                         team and digital platform.           product development experience.

                                                                                         More design activity                 While change is inevitable in
                                                                                         Marano said there has been a         the electronics industry, there
                                                                                         significant increase in customer     are aspects of distribution that
                                                                                         design activity as “our customers    will never change. One example
                                                                                         have continued to innovate even      is relationships between
                                                                                         during the pandemic period.”         distributors and their customers
                                                                                         “Specific market areas where we      and suppliers.
                                                                                         have seen activity is aerospace
                                                                                         and defense, communications,         In distribution, “relationships
                                                                                         consumer and industrial,” he said.   and trust matter, said Gallagher.
                                                                                         Arrow is seeing “broad adoption      “People do business with people
                                                                                         and interest in new technologies     they like and trust. Our customers
                                                                                         such as silicon carbide, security    and suppliers have choices and
                                                                                         and cloud deployments,” said         they will choose to do business
                                                                                         Marano.                              with people they trust, he said.
 C     368145-ESNA Market Watch Ads - 2 Spreads v1 2.pdf      2   11/19/20     6:47 PM                                        “That will never change.”
 M

 Y

CM    No minimum
MY

CY
      order quantities
CMY

 K
Connectors

Take a peek at 2021
connector trends
2021 could be a wild ride, so Electronic Connector Company’s president, Bernard J
Gizzi, encourages connector buyers to talk to their suppliers early and often

We can wrap up 2020 with           Medical demand will remain         company’s revenue growth
many hashtags, but my              high, driving a continued          chokepoint because suppliers
favorite is #LOCKITUP. We          need for safety and reliability.   let you down. Order early
need to close the door on          This will continue to foster       and often.
2020, lock it and discard the      known brands with strong
key. A year ago, most of us        reputations for quality.           Second, spend more time
would not have predicted this                                         with your engineers to make
calamity, not just for humanity    Some connector                     sure multiple sources exist
but also for our industry.         manufacturers will relocate        for key connectors and
                                   facilities to more reliable        cable assemblies. Recently, a
There have been pockets of         locations, possibly closer to      customer asked for help as
stronger performance, such         their customers. If Covid          its digital signal connector
as 5G rollout, defense and         has done one thing, it has         supplier had been bought
medical equipment, along           caused us to all ‘operate          and its deliveries forced six
                                                                                                        Electronic Connector Company’s
with signs of stronger than        anywhere’. For example, a          months of production delays
                                                                                                            president, Bernard J Gizzi
usual design activity in upstart   large connector manufacturer       and unhappy customers.
technologies like artificial       moving final assembly
intelligence and virtual/          to Mexico v Asia, avoiding         Lastly, increase your
augmented reality.                 potential tariffs and supply       communications with your
                                   chain delays for finished          suppliers. Share more
However, most of us still          products.                          information on legacy,
got caught by material                                                core and new product
consumption reductions.            Robotics, drones, 5G and           development. Bring them
Particularly hit hard was          IoT will use more surface          closer to your company’s data
commercial air and industrial/     mount lightweight connectors       and decision making. Ask for
energy, plus small to medium       as consumers require               help early.
sized businesses. Nevertheless,    more ‘at home’ cleaning
we also know our industry          technology and better ‘at          2021 could be a wild ride:
is poised to grow year-on-         home or work’ instant goods        #2021SEATBELTSFASTENED.            EN connectors are similar to MIL-
year. In fact, according to        delivery services. Automotive                                      DTL-38999 series III and MIL-DTL-26482
forecasting firms QLResearch       electronics continues to           eccoconnectors.com                       Series II connectors
& Research Markets, the            accelerate giving rise to
global electronic connector        technologies such as USB-C,
market will grow over six          FAKRA and optical style
per cent CAGR from 2021 to         connectors.
2026, with NA near five per
cent and Asia topping 11           Mergers and acquisitions will
per cent.                          likely double in 2021 given
                                   larger companies have been
So, what trends might emerge       conserving cash, while smaller
given 2020’s volatility coupled    competitors are searching for
with 2021’s technology             working capital
adaption?
                                   So, what does this mean for
Commercial air will bounce         electronic connector buyers
back, strengthening the            in 2021?
circular connector market and
leading to faster adoption of      First, get a grip on your supply
newer, lighter, rugged EN style    chain and forecasts because
connectors thanks to easy          as hard as the downturn
installation, contact spacing      was, it can rise just as fast.
and durability.                    You do not want to be your

20 January 2021 • www.electronics-sourcing.com
Connectors

  What makes a
  good connector?
  In this article PEI-Genesis’ customer application engineer, Ammar Lokhandwalla, emphasizes
  the importance of involving a connector specialist early in the specification process

  Connectors used in aviation      conductivity are vital, while      cadmium coating. Recently
  and military applications must   aluminum may better serve          this has been replaced with
  endure extreme conditions        aerospace and military             a black zinc nickel plating
  from rapid temperature           applications where weight          meeting RoHS and REACH
  fluctuations and changes         and corrosion-resistance           regulations. This plating
  in humidity, to persistent       are more important.                can match cadmium and
  vibration, impacts and                                              withstand over 500 hours
  signal interference.             Ingress protection is another      salt-spray.
                                   consideration. Connectors
  Take the industry standard       designed for industrial food       One mistake a manufacturer
  D38999. This military-           and beverage manufacturing         can make is considering
  specification connector was      must be sealed against water       connector design too late.
  originally designed in the       jets to allow equipment and        This can mean a product’s
  1970s and is now on its third    machinery washdown. This           time-to-market is delayed
  generation. It comprises a       protection extends to marine       while the design is reworked.
  hard outer shell, neoprene       applications where equipment       A connector may have
  rubber insert (with holes for    may need to be submersible         constraints like a minimum
  the contacts) and sometimes      for long periods. Thus, a          wire-gauge, so it’s important
  a backshell for additional       polycarbonate connector with       to consult with your supplier
  shielding and durability.        O-rings and grommets may be        as early as possible. PEI-
                                   the right choice here.             Genesis has simplified this
  Primary considerations                                              by offering customers a 3D      PEI-Genesis’ customer application engineer,
  include the materials for the    Aluminum may still                 wire model which they can                Ammar Lokhandwalla
  terminations and housing.        require plating to improve         drop into their design to
  Although copper offers           its corrosion-resistance,          check the fit. If it doesn’t,
  good electrical and thermal      to provide further                 our engineering team can
  conductivity, aluminum is        electromagnetic shielding,         help with a refined or
  cheaper and easier to form       and to meet camouflage and         redesigned solution.
  and plate. So, copper may        color needs. For example,
  be chosen for high-voltage       some military applications use     www.peigenesis.com
  industrial applications          olive-drab, a color historically
  where heat dissipation and       achieved with a toxic

22 January 2021 • www.electronics-sourcing.com
REPAIR PARTS

LEVEL, PRESSURE & FLOW

      ELECTRICAL
Frequency products
                                                                                       Supporting timing in Northern
                                                                                       California and Northern Nevada
                                                                                       ECS has appointed L2 Technical Sales serving the Northern
                                                                                       California and Northern Nevada territories. L2 Technical provides
                                                                                       engineering and design support to over 6,100 customers.

                                                                                       ECS’ western regional sales director, Robert Strand, said: “L2
                                                                                       Technical Sales offers tremendous customer knowledge and
                     Oscillators for low earth orbit                                   support along with the resources needed to prosper in one of
                                                                                       the most significant territories in the Bay Area. L2 Tech provides
                                                                                       engineering support and profound market solution knowledge.”
                     Euroquartz has announced availability of Statek’s new
                     range of 30kRad tolerant, ultra-high shock, low phase-noise
                                                                                       L2’s VP, Dave Henderson, added: “The technology solutions
                     oscillators, ideal for low earth orbit applications. Capable of
                                                                                       offered by ECS provide our customer base with timing
                     withstanding up to 100,000g, the CXOXLPNR surface mount
                                                                                       solutions inherently required in all facets of networking,
                     components are housed in hermetically sealed ceramic 3.2
                                                                                       industrial, automotive, medical and consumer electronics/
                     by 2.5mm packages with operating temperature range from
                                                                                       IoT. Their continued drive to develop innovative devices and
                     -55 to 125oC.
                                                                                       packages needed in today’s market demonstrates the level
                                                                                       of resources required to support our fast-growing customer
                     The oscillators deliver a low voltage CMOS output with
                                                                                       base and ecosystem.”
                     typical low phase-noise of -165dBc/Hz at 125MHz (20MHz
                     offset) combined with typical low RMS phase jitter of 150fs
                                                                                       ECS offers commercial, industrial and automotive quartz timing
                     over 12kHz to 20MHz and low acceleration sensitivity. Output
                                                                                       crystals and oscillators, ceramic resonators, SAW filters and
                     frequencies from 20 to 125MHz are available with supply
                                                                                       resonators and power inductors.
                     voltage range from 1.8 to 3.3V ±10%.
                                                                                       ecsxtal.com
                     Ideal for low earth orbit and small satellite applications, the
                     oscillators can be MIL screened for aerospace and defense
                     programs such as communications/GPS and supplied for use
                     in industrial environments.

                     www.euroquartz.co.uk

                                                                                       Surface mount oscillators suit
                                                                                       telecom and avionics
                                                                                       Q-Tech Corporation has announced availability of the
                                                                                       QTCC578 series ultra-miniature crystal oscillators designed
                                                                                       for high-performance, low-voltage applications with a phase
                                                                                       noise floor of -155 dBc/Hz. They are offered in 3.3 and
                                                                                       2.5Vdc supply voltages. They are built using a miniature
                                                                                       strip AT quartz crystal in a low-profile ceramic (5.0 by 7.0
                                                                                       by 1.5mm) hermetically sealed package with gold plated
                                                                                       contact pads.

                                                                                       Q-Tech’s director of sales and marketing, Scott Sentz, said:
                                                                                       “This QTCC Series answers the demand for low phase noise
                                                                                       in a number of commercial applications like fiber channel,
                                                                                       telecom, SONET, Ethernet/SynchE and microprocessor clock.
                                                                                       This compact, reliable device is also effective in mil/aero
                                                                                       applications, such as navigation, avionics and COTS.”

                                                                                       QTCC578 oscillators are ECCN: EAR99-classified, lead-free
                                                                                       and RoHS compliant. Military screening per MIL-PRF-55310
                                                                                       is available.

                                                                                       q-tech.com

              24 January 2021 • www.electronics-sourcing.com
Digital radio benefits from new voltage-
                                     controlled oscillator
                                     Crystek’s 1925 voltage-controlled            8V, with a max current consumption of
                                     oscillator operates at 1925MHz with a        36mA. Pulling and pushing are minimized
                                     control voltage range of 0.5 to 4.5V. It     to 1MHz pk-pk and 1MHz/V, respectively.
                                     features a typical phase noise of -121dBc/   Second harmonic suppression is -20dBc
                                     Hz at 10kHz offset and is designed to        typical.
                                     offer excellent linearity. Output power is
                                     typically 7dBm.                              The device suits applications in digital
                                                                                  radio equipment, fixed wireless access,
                                     Engineered and manufactured in the           satellite communications systems and base
                                     USA, the model CVCO55CC1925-1925             stations.
                                     is packaged in the industry-standard 0.5
                                     by 0.5in. SMD package. Input voltage is      www.crystek.com

Buy into MEMS
performance
SiTime has entered the $2b              No Distributor Matches Dove’s Offering Of Authorized
precision resonator market
with the ApexMEMS family                            Frequency Control Suppliers
of MHz resonators. These
new devices are the third
generation of SiTime’s silicon          “We Invented Crystal & Oscillator Distribution”
MEMS technology and are
available in a variety of MHz
frequencies for high volume
electronics. Mobile and IoT
applications such as Bluetooth
hearables and wearables,
high-speed connectivity
interfaces, asset-tracking, as
well as microcontrollers, can
take advantage of the 85 per
cent space savings, integration,
consistent performance,
resilience and reliability offered
by ApexMEMS resonators.

SiTime’s CEO, Rajesh Vashist,
said: “SiTime continues to lead
the timing industry with our
unique expertise in MEMS,
mixed-signal, analog and
systems. By shipping almost
2 billion oscillators to date to
thousands of customers, we
have learned to manufacture
MEMS resonators in high
volume, while continuously
delivering excellent quality,
reliability and performance.

“ApexMEMS resonators
were developed to deliver
breakthrough system
performance and integration
as shown by their usage in
the SiT9501 oscillator and
the Cascade ClockSoC. The
SiT9501 is a game-changer
for the 100-800G optical
module market as it delivers
the highest performance at
the lowest power in the
smallest package.”

www.sitime.com                         1-800-232-9825 • sales@doveonline.com • www.doveonline.com

                                                                                                              January 2021 25
Exclusively sponsored by

        2021 outlook:
        the curve is key                                                                                                  John Denslinger is a former
                                                                                                                          executive VP Murata, president
                                                                                                                          SyChip Wireless, and president/
                                                                                                                          CEO ECIA, the industry’s trade
                                                                                                                          association. His career spans
                                                                                                                          40 years in electronics
        In this article, John Denslinger explores the impact of different recovery curves on
        2021 growth projections for the electronics distribution and manufacturing sector

        P
                                                       2021 Forecast              •     By John Denslinger

                   residential elections often introduce near-term forecast              hospitalization rates are still climbing and that is expected to remain at
                   uncertainty but 2020 may be one for the record books. No one          emergency levels. Let’s assume everyone by now wears a mask in high
                   could possibly script a more confusing set of circumstances as we     contact areas, maintains proper social distancing, washes their hands
                   enter 2021. Will the government be a house divided? Will there        regularly and quarantines when exposed. What’s next? Once again,
        be financial aid for individuals caught in the Covid downdraft? Will there be    Governors are taking strikingly different approaches to safeguard citizens
        stimulus to keep America’s small businesses operating? Will trade policies,      as this new wave approaches. Some see lockdowns as the main line of
        tax rules and regulatory restraint abruptly change? Will Main Street ever be     defense, but recent experience shows a marginal control of spread. It seems
        the same again? One fact is certain, the Covid hangover will continue.           the only real solution is large scale vaccination, and that is well within the
                                                                                         2021 horizon.
        On the macro level, US GDP in 2021 is projected at 3.8 per cent according
        to a Bloomberg consensus forecast. Interestingly, Goldman Sachs is more          The Covid mitigation options chosen by state Governors will impact
        bullish suggesting 5.3 per cent GDP. The variance is related to one’s view       2021 outlook and results. That, in my way of thinking, sets up a direct
        of the recovery curve. Goldman’s is based on a V-shaped recovery, the            correlation between the recovery curve shape and a 2021 Q by Q forecast. I
        most optimistic. Others seem based on U-curve, W-curve, reverse L-curve          would argue, a vaccine offers the best economic upside while persistent or
        and probably some other shapes I missed. Regardless the recovery shape,          intermittent lockdowns the least. The relationship can be summed up in the
        the good news is the forecast stands robust and positive. Growth this year       accompanying table.
        should be above average for the electronics industry.
                                                                                         The 2021 forecast for the electronics industry should easily blow by 3.8 per
        While curve shape garners the most media attention, two forthcoming              cent (the consensus GDP rate) given the solid demand fundamentals already
        actions will ultimately determine which curve prevails. Simply stated:           existing in telecom, automotive and healthcare. With a V-shaped recovery,
        vaccines versus lockdowns.                                                       I foresee doubling the 5.3 per cent (Goldman Sachs projected GDP rate) as
                                                                                         the real growth outlook for our industry, a strong year indeed.
        Depending on the source referenced, the US is now in the second or
        third Covid wave as we enter 2021. Cases are rising, but testing is widely       The curve is key in 2021. Let’s hope multiple vaccines are FDA approved
        available with three day or less feedback. Death rates among all age groups      soon, quickly distributed and show effectiveness among the general
        have steadied at near flu-like levels, but dreadfully high. Unfortunately,       population. The fewer lockdowns, the better.

201208_WLS_ELECSRG_NA_Strip.indd 1                                                                                                                               12/2/20 12:09 PM
You can also read