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SILICON SILIC CHIP www.siliconchip.com.au Publisher/Editor Nicholas Vinen Technical Editor John Clarke, B.E.(Elec.) Technical Staff Jim Rowe, B.A., B.Sc. Bao Smith, B.Sc. Tim Blythman, B.E., B.Sc. Nicolas Hannekum, Dip. Elec. Tech. Technical Contributor Duraid Madina, B.Sc, M.Sc, PhD Reader Services Rhonda Blythman, BSc, LLB, GDLP Advertising Enquiries Glyn Smith Phone (02) 9939 3295 Mobile 0431 792 293 glyn<at>siliconchip.com.au Regular Contributors Dave Thompson David Maddison B.App.Sc. (Hons 1), PhD, Grad.Dip.Entr.Innov. Geoff Graham Associate Professor Graham Parslow Ian Batty Cartoonist Brendan Akhurst Founding Editor (retired) Leo Simpson, B.Bus., FAICD Staff (retired) Ross Tester Ann Morris Greg Swain, B. Sc. (Hons.) Silicon Chip is published 12 times a year by Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd. ACN 626 922 870. ABN 20 880 526 923. All material is copyright ©. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Subscription rates (Australia only): 12 issues (1 year): $105 24 issues (2 years): $202 For overseas rates, see our website or email silicon<at>siliconchip.com.au Recommended & maximum price only. Editorial office: Unit 1 (up ramp), 234 Harbord Rd, Brookvale, NSW 2100. Postal address: PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097. Phone (02) 9939 3295. ISSN 1030-2662 Printing and Distribution: Editorial Viewpoint The chip shortage is now a component shortage I mentioned the severe semiconductor shortages in my June 2021 editorial. By that time, we had been having problems getting some parts for a few months, but it was clearly getting worse. Many common parts were unavailable, with long lead times. Things have only gone downhill since then. It isn’t just products like ICs and semiconductors that are becoming hard to get, but even basic components like ceramic capacitors and inductors are running out. And the situation with semiconductors like microcontrollers and Mosfets is becoming ridiculous, with whole ranges completely out of stock and astronomical lead times. I’m not joking about that. We were trying to buy some NXP Mosfets (PSMN1R030YL) for one of the kits that we sell, and not only were they out of stock everywhere, but one major supplier quoted us an estimated backorder delivery date of April 25th, 2024 – over two and a half years from now! This is a major headache for us. How can we publish constructional projects if we don’t know whether readers will be able to buy the parts to build them? Even if we check and stock levels look healthy now, by the time we publish the article (which can range from a few weeks to a few months), they could all be gone and not available for a long time. We used to keep around one month worth of parts for the kits and programmed microcontrollers we sell, perhaps 10-20 of each. Now we have to keep 6-12 months worth, often well over 100 of each, because of how quickly the suppliers run out of stock and how long it takes to replenish them. So we’re paying a lot more up-front and we have to find space to store them all. I can only imagine it’s an even bigger headache for manufacturers, service centres and others who have to order in reel-size quantities and require a much more comprehensive range of parts for assembly or repair. And the fact that everyone is scrambling to get the parts they’re going to need for the foreseeable future can’t be helping with the shortages. Given that the lead times for many out-of-stock components are already midto-late 2022, it’s clear that these shortages are not going away any time soon. By the time that stock arrives next year, much of it might already have been sold, and what’s left will likely be quickly snapped up. Fundamentally, the only ways to solve a situation where demand is grossly outstripping supply is to either significantly increase supply or reduce demand. Increasing supply is not easy or quick, and I don’t see the demand dropping just yet (but it will have to eventually). So we’d all better prepare for this situation to continue for some time. ElectroneX postponed again Given the current Australian COVID-19 situation, it comes as no surprise that ElectroneX had to be postponed again, this time until April next year. Please see the full announcement on page 29 for more details. Exciting competition funded by Dick Smith Also, don’t miss the competition announcement on page 13 of this issue. It’s an excellent opportunity for budding electronics enthusiasts to have the chance to win a substantial cash prize, and it sounds like a fun challenge. We’ve timed it so that entrants will have the Christmas/New Year break to work on their designs. Depending on how many entries we get and their quality, we might also end up featuring some of them in the magazine; we’ll definitely be featuring the best entry, as described in the announcement. by Nicholas Vinen 24-26 Lilian Fowler Pl, Marrickville 2204 2 Silicon Chip Australia’s electronics magazine siliconchip.com.au