What is electronics obsolescence, and what causes it?

Electronics obsolescence, also known as electronic obsolescence or technology obsolescence, refers to the process by which electronic components, devices, or systems become outdated, no longer supported, or unusable due to various factors.It is a significant concern in the field of electronics and technology, and it can affect both consumer and industrial applications. Several factors contribute to electronics obsolescence management:

Technological Advancements: One of the primary causes of electronics obsolescence is the rapid pace of technological advancement. As new technologies emerge, older ones become outdated. This can lead to components or devices becoming obsolete as newer, more advanced alternatives become available.

Component Discontinuation: Manufacturers may discontinue the production of specific electronic components or parts due to various reasons, such as cost-effectiveness, changes in manufacturing processes, or the introduction of newer, more efficient components. When critical components are no longer available, it can render entire devices or systems obsolete.

End of Life (EOL) Announcements: Manufacturers often announce the end of life (EOL) for electronic products or systems. This means that they will no longer produce or support these products, making it challenging to obtain replacement parts or receive technical support.

Software and Firmware Obsolescence: Electronics often rely on software and firmware to function properly. As software and operating systems evolve, older versions may no longer receive updates or support, rendering the associated hardware obsolete. This is particularly relevant in consumer electronics and industrial control systems.

Component Longevity: Some electronic components have limited lifespans due to wear and tear or degradation over time. This can lead to failures and the need for replacements, especially in critical applications.

Regulatory Changes: Changes in industry regulations or standards can force the retirement of older electronic equipment that no longer meets the updated requirements. This is common in sectors like telecommunications and healthcare.

Cost-Effective Upgrades: In many cases, it is more cost-effective to upgrade to newer electronic systems rather than maintaining and repairing older ones. This drives businesses and consumers to replace older electronics with more advanced and efficient models.

Environmental and Sustainability Factors: As environmental concerns grow, there is increasing pressure to retire older electronics in favor of more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly alternatives.

To mitigate electronic parts obsolescence, companies and individuals often engage in proactive strategies such as product lifecycle management, careful component selection, and staying informed about industry trends and advancements. Additionally, some industries, like aerospace and defense, invest in long-term support and maintenance programs to extend the life of critical electronic systems.

As a PCB begins aging, various components that are part of the board may no longer be available for purchase as replacements since constant developments in the world of electronics limit the amount of time that certain components are commercially available.

Obsolescence occurs when one of your PCB’s components has passed the point of repair or replacement. When this happens, it could potentially render the entire PCB dysfunctional.

Although some components tend to become obsolete faster than others, all components become obsolete eventually. Thus, obsolescence is inevitable in all electronics.

Fortunately, there are some techniques that you can use to manage obsolescence in your products so that you may continue to use them for a longer time without issues.

How to do obsolescence management of electronic components？

When it comes to managing electronics obsolescence, there are generally two main approaches: design obsolescence techniques and production engineering-based obsolescence techniques.

In some cases, it may be most advantageous to employ techniques from both of these approaches to minimize your chances of dealing with obsolescence.

Design Obsolescence Techniques

Designing electronic equipment to minimize the effects of any likely obsolescence is possible.

Although this is not an easy thing to do, there are a few strategies that you can employ during the design stage of various components to manage obsolescence proactively.

1. Second source

Before deciding to use a particular component, it is always wise to ensure that there is at least one other secondary source where the component can be obtained.

This is a standard method of managing obsolescence because if one supplier stops production or experiences production difficulties, then the other supplier can be used. The more suppliers that are carrying a certain component, the better.

2. Consider near-second source components

Another obsolescence-management tactic involves choosing to use components that have viable alternatives with nearly identical designs.

That way, if exact replacements are ever not available, there may still be other potentially available replacements to choose from.

3. Use industry-standard components

It is generally wise to stay away from more specialized components since they tend to be used by a smaller number of products and, thus, are produced in lower volumes.

This usually means that they also have a shorter production life. On the other hand, industry-standard components are typically used in a wider number of products and are consequently produced in higher volumes and with longer production life.

4. Use automotive components

When a component tends to be used in high volume in certain industry sectors, it usually has a longer production life. This is often the case with many products that are used in various automotive applications.

Automotive manufacturers generally insist that certain components remain in production for long periods to support both new car production and later maintenance.

Thus, if it is possible to use automotive components, you may be able to delay obsolescence.

Production Engineering-Based Obsolescence Techniques

It is also possible to apply obsolescence-management techniques during the production stage of an item.

This responsibility generally falls on the engineering department. Engineers have numerous options to limit the chances of obsolescence occurring.

1. Last time buy

Manufacturers typically provide notice when a component is about to become obsolete, and during this time, it may be possible for a last-time buy to be done.

This approach requires that you can accurately predict your product’s overall usage expectancy.

That way, you can invest significantly in replacement components all at once, essentially stocking up on them before it becomes impossible. Unfortunately, this option is not always advantageous.

2. Locate surplus stock

Even after a product has become obsolete, it may be possible to locate some surplus stock of that product.

If you are looking to purchase surplus stock from a supplier, it is essential that you ensure the product is genuine and is from a traceable source. That way, you can avoid the frustration of dealing with counterfeit products.

3. Board redesign

In cases where there may be no alternative options available, the only possible way to manage obsolescence may be to redesign the board, even if that only means redesigning a small area of the original circuit. In doing so, you can enable it for other, newer parts to be used.

If you use this approach, it is crucial that you take measures to ensure the board’s performance is not affected by the design changes.

If a board’s performance remains unchanged even after being redesigned, then it will be able to interface with the other elements of the system without creating problems.

Having dedicated in PCB&PCBA industry more than 20 years, Ucreate have plenty of experience in electronics manufacturing and PCB assembly, so we are well aware of the issues that component obsolescence can cause.

If you are dealing with electronics obsolescence problems related to components in your PCB, Ucreate Group will gladly help you come up with a solution.

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