The document outlines ten methods for detecting counterfeit electronic components utilizing x-ray technology. It emphasizes the importance of thorough inspections, comparing components to known good samples, and identifying unique signatures such as internal features and manufacturing inconsistencies. Creative Electron offers solutions and expertise in quality inspection, including automated systems for counterfeit detection.

1. 10 WAYS TO FIND COUNTERFEIT
COMPONENTS USING X-RAYS
FROM SCIENCE TO INSPECTION SOLUTIONS

2. FROM SCIENCE TO INSPECTION SOLUTIONS
Dr. Bill Cardoso
www.creativeelectron.com
THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENT
COUNTERFEIT PROBLEM
Shoppers visit Panthip Plaza, the largest
IT mall in Thailand, on March 5, 2012 in
Bangkok, Thailand. Panthip Plaza is
notorious for selling counterfeit
electronics.

3. FROM SCIENCE TO INSPECTION SOLUTIONS
Dr. Bill Cardoso
www.creativeelectron.com
THE POWER OF X-RAY VISION
X-Rays give you the
unique ability to
“see” what’s inside
the component.
It is much easier to
fake the part’s
exterior than its
interior.

4. FROM SCIENCE TO INSPECTION SOLUTIONS
Dr. Bill Cardoso
www.creativeelectron.com
 Even though they look identical in the outside, sometimes
components are just empty in the inside. These images are
3D renderings of the internal structures of 2 components in
the same lot.
1Ÿ EMPTY PACKAGE
Good Component
Counterfeited Component

5. FROM SCIENCE TO INSPECTION SOLUTIONS
Dr. Bill Cardoso
www.creativeelectron.com
 It is critical to inspect 100% of the parts – so you don’t get
fooled by criminals who mix bad parts with the good ones.
Can you tell which one doesn’t belong?
2Ÿ LOT ANOMALIES

6. FROM SCIENCE TO INSPECTION SOLUTIONS
Dr. Bill Cardoso
www.creativeelectron.com
 Finding a counterfeit component becomes easy if you have a
known good sample to use as a reference part. Check how
different these two parts – found in the same lot – look from
each other.
3Ÿ DIFFERENT FROM KNOWN "
GOOD SAMPLE
Good Component
Counterfeited Component
 When comparing
components, make sure the
following is identical
between the parts:
§ Lot code
§ Date code
§ Part number
§ Place of manufacturing
§ External markings
§ Construction
 100% visual inspection is highly recommended

7. FROM SCIENCE TO INSPECTION SOLUTIONS
Dr. Bill Cardoso
www.creativeelectron.com
 The layout of the lead frame and the wire bond diagram tell a
lot about the component. On the left, you can tell where VDD,
GND, and no connect (NC) are located. Check how they differ
when overlaid with the part’s real pinout (on the right).
4Ÿ PINOUT MISMATCH
Pin location analysis
Overlay of real pinout with
analysis to show discrepancies

8. FROM SCIENCE TO INSPECTION SOLUTIONS
Dr. Bill Cardoso
www.creativeelectron.com
 If the x-ray image of a component does not show the
presence of wire bonds, further analysis is needed. Either it is
a counterfeited part with no wire bonds, or it is a component
with aluminum wire bonds. Aluminum is a light material that
does not show in x-ray images.
5Ÿ MISSING WIRE BONDS

9. FROM SCIENCE TO INSPECTION SOLUTIONS
Dr. Bill Cardoso
www.creativeelectron.com
 A complete inspection of the part is
needed to validate its mechanical
integrity. In this example we can see the
wire bond ball (right) and the loop (left)
laying around the package. Although this
information is insufficient to assess it is a
counterfeit, it should raise many red flags.
6Ÿ INTERNAL DEFECTS

10. FROM SCIENCE TO INSPECTION SOLUTIONS
Dr. Bill Cardoso
www.creativeelectron.com
 The rotation and tilt of the sample can reveal defects
imperceptible otherwise. The defects on these balls are very
difficult to observe from a straight x-ray picture.
7Ÿ EXTERNAL DEFECTS
Image of BGA part inside sealed tray

11. FROM SCIENCE TO INSPECTION SOLUTIONS
Dr. Bill Cardoso
www.creativeelectron.com
 Counterfeiters like to
pull components out of
old boards to resell
them as new.
 However, when they
pull BGAs,
counterfeiters need to
have the parts re-
balled.
 In that process voids
inside the balls are
created. So excessive
voiding may indicated
a counterfeited
component.
8Ÿ EXCESSIVE BGA VOIDS
BGA Inspector identified excessive voiding in this part

12. FROM SCIENCE TO INSPECTION SOLUTIONS
Dr. Bill Cardoso
www.creativeelectron.com
 Components inside trays, tubes, and tape have to be perfect.
Suspect components with bent pins – that usually means they
have been handled outside the original package.
9Ÿ BENT PINS

13. FROM SCIENCE TO INSPECTION SOLUTIONS
Dr. Bill Cardoso
www.creativeelectron.com
 Electronic component manufacturers heavily invest the
consistency of the products they ship. If you find a few of the
components in a lot with anomalous die attach voiding, like
the one in this example, suspect the overall quality of the part
and the lot. It may have been stored in inappropriate thermal
conditions. In other words – it was likely stored in very hot
and/or humid environments.
10Ÿ EXCESS DIE ATTACH VOIDING

14. FROM SCIENCE TO INSPECTION SOLUTIONS
Dr. Bill Cardoso
www.creativeelectron.com
CREATIVE ELECTRON’S DNA
We are passionate about using our scientific
expertise the solve the most difficult problems in
quality inspection.
Started as a defense contractor “think tank” –
ideas quickly became award winning products:
Reel-to-Reel automated system for counterfeit detection
Fully automated sample platform for board/panel inspection
BGA Inspector with embedded 3D rendering
Remotely controlled x-ray system