Technical Articles & Guides
Lifecycle, FPGA/CPLD sourcing, quality inspection, and procurement guides for hard-to-find components.
Are FPGAs still relevant for AI in 2026?
FPGA Obsolescence: Planning for the End-of-Life of Classic Families
Classic FPGAs like Spartan-3 and Cyclone IV are entering end-of-life. Sourcing strategies, tool chain challenges, and migration paths for legacy designs.
BOM Scrubbing: Catching Lifecycle Risks Before They Become Production Crises
BOM scrubbing identifies EOL, NRND, and single-source parts before production crises. Six risk dimensions, six-step process, free checklist.
How to Source Obsolete Electronic Components: 5 Proven Paths
Five proven paths to sourcing obsolete ICs: authorized distributors, last-time-buy, specialty distributors, aftermarket, and redesign. Cost and risk tradeoffs.
IDEA-STD-1010: The Industry Standard for Counterfeit IC Inspection
IDEA-STD-1010-B is the industry inspection standard for counterfeit IC detection. What it covers, who needs it, and how to verify supplier compliance.
EOL vs NRND vs Obsolete: A Procurement Guide to IC Lifecycle Status
Understand the difference between EOL, NRND, last-time-buy, and obsolete status in IC procurement. Decision framework and supplier red flags.
STM32F103 vs STM32F407: Which MCU is Right for You?
A detailed head-to-head comparison of two popular STM32 microcontrollers. Performance benchmarks, peripheral differences, and cost analysis to help you decide.
How to Choose the Right FPGA for Your Project
A comprehensive guide to selecting the ideal FPGA for your next embedded design project. Compare Xilinx, Intel/Altera, and Lattice offerings across key parameters.