Rochester Electronics Enables Support for Fully Authorized Class 5962 Product Replacements
Supporting long-term military application needs
The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) defines Federal Supply Classification (FSC) 5962 class products as all electrical and electronic equipment components. This product class encompasses devices sold by most semiconductor companies. Devices with a part number starting with 5962 come from a DLA-audited semiconductor fabrication process and are tested against a DLA-owned specification drawing for that part number. For many supply chain professionals in the military semiconductor market, product availability concerns within systems older than 25 years mostly center on part numbers beginning with class 5962.
In the 1970s, the military and defense market represented over 20% of the semiconductor market, but by 1978, it had already fallen to 10%.
In contrast to today, there was a greater incentive for semiconductor companies to perform DLA fabrication facility audits and to become Qualified Manufacturers List (QML) MIL-PRF-38535 suppliers, verified to produce products that meet the strict quality and reliability standards set by the U.S. Department of Defense. QML manufacturing flow is a single controlled baseline that follows military standard MIL-PRF-38535 per MIL-STD-883 to ensure product quality and reliability from design to fabrication.
MIL-STD-883 (/883) is a military standard that establishes procedures, controls, and methods for testing microelectronic devices suitable for use within military and aerospace electronics systems.
While the DLA product class numbering system became the norm, there were virtually no fabless semiconductor companies, as most had their own fabrication facilities. With the current military and defense market share at around only 1% today (see chart below), virtually no new class 5962 semiconductor components have been fabricated in over 20 years, and their market availability continues to decline.
End-use market share for semiconductors (Source: WSTS & SIA May 2024)
Enabling the purchase of non-5962 class products that lack a QML audit trail at the silicon level yet are tested identically to meet full military specifications using generic military part numbers from the original component manufacturer (OCM) could potentially assist purchasers in identifying authorized semiconductor device substitutions. An excellent example is the /B suffix part numbers offered by Rochester Electronics.
The simplest way to understand /883-part numbers compared to /B suffix:
- Both are processed identically (die and packaging).
- Both are tested identically.
- Both go through Group A-D identically.
Rochester’s /B suffix devices fully comply with MIL-STD-883 testing and qualifications. /B: Devices are processed to /883 for class B devices, which include screening to test method 5004, including burn-in and 100% electrical testing across the full operating temperature range and QCI per test method 5005 (Groups A, B, C, and D). Although the die may not have been on a QML fab audit at the OCM, it can be tested to the same specifications. Below are three examples where Rochester has alternates for 5962 QML product.
QML 5962 Part Number Generic Rochester equivalent tested to the same limits
DM54165J/883 54165 DM54165J/B
UCS5801H883 UCS5801 UCS5801H/B
TL514M/883B TL514 TL514MJ/B
Part numbers on existing and older bills of materials (BOMs) can pose challenges. In the military market supply chain, semiconductor product purchasing is often handled by individuals who may only identify part numbers on a BOM. These purchasers may lack the technical expertise to recognize that a product tested to the exact specifications of a Class 5962 product will function accurately in an end system.
Regarding QML FSC 5962 products, changing a board-level drawing to allow for alternative part selection should be enabled to provide ongoing support as product class 5962 availability continues to decline. OEMs from other long-term system markets, such as automotive, commercial avionics, and industrial controls, routinely change BOM part numbers to allow for equivalent part substitutions. Rochester Electronics recommends adopting this process for direct purchases by the DLA, Navy, Army, Air Force, and Marines. Today, military purchasers often must return to OEMs for alternate part recommendations to include in a drawing, which costs significant time and effort when an equivalent substitution is already readily available to support their needs.
Rochester’s military market support
Rochester Electronics is a QML manufacturer certified by DLA Land and Maritime to MIL-PRF-38535. It offers Class Q and Class V microcircuits for military and aerospace applications.
In addition to our QML product line, we offer a wide range of commercial and industrial components. We can supply a custom flow built to meet your source-controlled drawing.
Rochester’s in-house high-reliability hermetic assembly line offers Ceramic DIP, Side Brazed DIP, Flat Pack, CQFP, PGA, Ceramic Leadless Chip Carrier, and Metal Can.
We offer plastic assembly for the most common PEM package styles.
Rochester‘s focus on providing a continuous source of semiconductors aligns strongly with the long lifecycle requirements of defense and aerospace manufacturers. Rochester provides a 100% authorized stock of active and end-of-life (EOL) devices from over 70 leading semiconductor manufacturers. As a licensed semiconductor manufacturer, Rochester has manufactured over 20,000 device types. With over 12 billion die in stock, Rochester has the capability to manufacture over 100,000 device types.
Learn more about Rochester’s military market support
Future proofing: Extending product lifecycles for military and aerospace applications
Manufacturers
