Parts obsolescence: A new concern for EEs: Microcircuits you plan to use today may not be available tomorrow

The authors discuss how engineers can avoid the problem of obsolescence of their designs. Two types of solutions are examined. Those that deal with the problem after it occurs include discussion with the vendor, which may provide a solution not previously known to the designer, and life-of-type buys, i.e., buying a large quantity of the component that will carry the product through its expected life. Alternatively, the design can anticipate the parts obsolescence problem and make it a major design criterion. The authors discuss this solution.