Why do we recommend 3rd party testing?

At Supertrades LLC, we place a high value on the quality of the Integrated Circuits (ICs) we supply to our clients. Recognizing the significance of reliable components in our operations, we have opted to engage third-party laboratories to conduct rigorous testing and verification of our ICs. This strategic choice is rooted in our belief that utilizing in-house testing facilities may present a conflict of interest. By relying on external labs, separate from the IC design process, we can uphold objectivity in the evaluation of our products. This approach minimizes the potential for bias that could arise if the same entity responsible for selling the ICs also conducted the verification tests. Third-party labs offer an impartial assessment, free from undue influence or financial motives, ensuring a thorough and unbiased evaluation of our ICs. By leveraging the expertise and independence of external labs, we can enhance the transparency and credibility of our quality assurance processes. At Supertrades LLC, we are dedicated to delivering superior components to our customers, and we firmly believe that partnering with third-party labs is integral to upholding the quality and dependability of our ICs.

3rd Party Labs

  • Whitehorse Laboratories


    Whitehorse Laboratories is a quality control company that provides testing, auditing, and logistics services for the electronics industry. They specialize in detecting and preventing counterfeit electronic components and other threats to the global supply chain. They operate in the United States, Asia, and Europe, and offer professional training sessions on topics such as counterfeit detection and supply chain management.

  • Global ETS


    Global ETS is an electrical component testing laboratory that offers independent component authentication and quality testing services for the electronics industry. They use state-of-the-art technologies, software, hardware, and analytical testing methodologies to detect and prevent counterfeit and defective components. They're located in Odessa, Florida, and have a DLA, AS9100, ISO 17025, GIDEP, ANAB, and ILAC approved testing facility.

  • Precision Test Solutions


    Precision Test Solutions is an electrical testing company that can test and evaluate a broad range of EEEE (electrical, electronic, electro-mechanical, electro-optical) components and mechanical assemblies to ensure they meet the requirements of military, space, and commercial avionics applications. They also perform product qualification testing on customer-furnished products for various industries. They are located in Orlando, Florida, and have an AS9100D-certified quality management system.

  • GD4 Test Services


    GD4 Test Services is an electronic component testing company that offers a full range of integrated circuit testing, programming, and packing options. They also provide counterfeit screening, quality testing, and failure analysis services for the electronics industry. They have three U.S. locations: Austin, Texas; Largo, Florida; and Yaphank, New York. They are certified ISO 9001 / AS9100 and ISO 17025, AS6171 and AS6081. They are also certified ANSI / ESD S20.20 and DLA Lab Suitability and QTSL.

Testing Services

  • This test involves removing the outer encapsulation of the IC to expose the internal dye. The dye is then inspected with a microscope to look for defects, such as cracks, missing metal layers, and/or contamination.

  • This test uses X-rays to create images of the internal structure of the IC. These images can be used to identify defects that are not visible to the naked eye, such as voids, shorts, and opens.

  • This test involves visually inspecting the external surface of the IC for defects, such as cracks, missing solder balls, or contamination.

  • This test uses a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to analyze the surface texture of the IC. This can be used to identify defects, such as scratches, pits, or bumps.

  • This test is used to verify the electrical connections between the pins of an IC. This test is important because it can help to identify defects that may cause the IC to malfunction.

  • With a magnification ability of 20-1000x and fully-motorized stage, our high powered microscope provides us with extremely high-resolution imagery and depth-of-field photography, which is crucial for our surface and lead inspections.

  • By using industry-proven methods for detecting anomalies of the surface integrity, our quality team performs a basic scrape test to start, and then swab with mineral spirits, alcohol, or acetone. These basic detection methods check part markings, blacktopping, and mold cavities.

  • Our electrical analysis capabilities revolve around low power electrical confirmations. We have the ability to conduct this electronic component testing on capacitors, resistors, inductors, transistors, relays, crystals, diodes, chokes, thyristors, batteries, fuses, op amps, and switches.

  • To look for common defects like voiding, shorts, and cracks, we use ball grid array (BGA) and quad flat pack no-lead (QFN) X-ray analysis. These analyses are very valuable for our customers using older technology parts, which may have been stored for longer periods of time.

  • We use equipment to find electronically-damaged pins or detect ESD damage on components. This technique also has the ability to identify missing or incorrect dies and a lack of wire bonds or inaccurate pinouts, providing a simple pass/fail result

  • MSL-rated components are required to be pre-baked before assembly, so we ensure any that are not factory sealed or may have been opened are properly baked in our oven to remove any moisture. Next, they’re dry-packed and shipped to you