Page 5 – Spirit Electronics

FTIR Services in the Electronics Failure Analysis Lab

Spirit Electronics offers Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy, or FTIR services when performing root cause analysis on the failure of an electronic component.

What is Fourier Transform Infrared?

Fourier Transform Infrared analysis, also commonly referred to as FTIR Spectroscopy, is a complex piece of scientific equipment used in our electronics failure analysis lab to scan material samples and observe chemical properties. We use the FTIR scanning microscope to determine the chemical composition of organic materials, such as oils, fluxes, polymers, and in some cases inorganic materials.

How Does FITR Services for Electronic Failure Analysis Work?

The FTIR scanning microscope sends infrared radiation of about 10,000 to 100 cm-1 through an electronic component or material upon which the engineers in our microelectronics failure analysis lab are performing root cause analysis of failure. Some of the radiation is absorbed and some pass through.

The radiation which is absorbed is converted into vibrational and/or rotational energy by the sample molecules. A signal is detected and represented as an IR spectrum, effectively providing a “fingerprint” of the material as the IR light is either absorbed or reflected.

The name Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy is derived from the mathematical process known as a Fourier transform which is used to convert the raw data into the spectrum.

How Does Our Electronics Failure Analysis Lab Use the Fourier Transform Infrared?

FTIR spectroscopy is a well-established analytical technique used in our electronics failure analysis lab when evaluating manufactured electronics material. Our failure analysis engineers often use FTIR spectroscopy as the first step in the electronics failure analysis process.

The IR spectrum fingerprint can then be run against a database of over 50,000 organic materials, much like facial recognition programs seen on many law enforcement television shows. Samples can be as small as 10×10 square microns (a micron is a millionth of a meter, about a tenth the diameter of a hair).

So FTIR services are essentially a method of measuring infrared absorption and emission. We use FTIR spectroscopy in our electronics failure analysis lab to:

Recognize and define unknown materials
Find and identify contamination on or in a material
Perform failure analysis investigations to isolate oxidation, decomposition, and other causes of failing electronic components.

Ep. 51: Small Business Banking for Growth and AZ Economic Trends with Gary Naquin

Get the inside scoop on industry news and technology!

In this podcast, Spirit Electronics CEO Marti McCurdy talks with aerospace and defense experts about high-reliability components and industry-rocking topics affecting the supply chain.

Ep. 51: Small Business Banking for Growth and AZ Economic Trends with Gary Naquin

Marti shares her three MVPs as a small business CEO: her attorney, her CPA and her banker. In this episode, Marti talks small business banking with Gary Naquin, Senior Vice President of Corporate Banking at MidFirst.

Gary shares his outlook about bank stability, inflation and economic influences currently shaping the future of the economy in Arizona and the Phoenix Metro area.

Spirit Electronics is a veteran-owned, woman-owned small business. In the past 5 years, we have grown significantly in revenue, team and facility. MidFirst has been a critical partner for Spirit’s growth.

Ep. 50: ASIC Qualification & Radiation Testing with Triad Semiconductor’s Jim Kemerling

Get the inside scoop on industry news and technology!

In this podcast, Spirit Electronics CEO Marti McCurdy talks with aerospace and defense experts about high-reliability components and industry-rocking topics affecting the supply chain.

Ep. 50: ASIC Qualification & Radiation Testing with Triad Semiconductor’s Jim Kemerling

Jim Kemerling, Founder and Chief Technology Officer at Triad Semiconductor, joins Marti for an episode about Triad’s analog and mixed-signal ASICs and the process of qualifying them for radiation and harsh environments. Triad Semiconductor specializes in analog and mixed-signal ASICs. Marti and Jim discuss Triad’s via-configurable arrays that offer flexibility in programming.

Ep. 49: EPC’s Progress in GaN Reliability in RadHard and New Space Applications

Get the inside scoop on industry news and technology!

In this podcast, Spirit Electronics CEO Marti McCurdy talks with aerospace and defense experts about high-reliability components and industry-rocking topics affecting the supply chain.

Ep. 49: EPC’s Progress in GaN Reliability in RadHard and New Space Applications

In this episode, Marti chats with EPC’s CEO Alex Lidow and Marketing Director Renee Yawger about the progress of GaN. They discuss GaN’s performance under high radiation as well as the extensive testing, failure modes and device lifespan detailed in EPC’s Phase 15 reliability report.

With the full potential of GaN still to be explored and new EPC products releasing frequently, including new half-bridge drivers, low-side drivers and full power stage, GaN is especially useful in New Space and commercial space applications.

Ep. 48: Brain Tumor Awareness Month with Catherine Ivy & the Ivy Brain Tumor Center

Get the inside scoop on industry news and technology!

In this podcast, Spirit Electronics CEO Marti McCurdy talks with aerospace and defense experts about high-reliability components and industry-rocking topics affecting the supply chain.

Ep. 48: Brain Tumor Awareness Month with Catherine Ivy & the Ivy Brain Tumor Center

May is Brain Tumor Awareness Month, and Catherine Ivy joins Marti to share her story and the Ivy Brain Tumor Center’s work toward effective brain tumor treatment.

Catherine Ivy is the founder of the Ben & Catherine Ivy Foundation and the Ivy Brain Tumor Center at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, AZ. The Ivy Brain Tumor Center has pioneered Phase 0 Clinical Trials to redesign the process around researching effective treatment for brain tumors.

Catherine shares the story of her husband’s diagnosis and the devastating discovery that treatment was limited and challenging. The Ivy Brain Tumor Center Phase 0 Clinical Trial program is accelerating the timeline.

This informational and moving episode is about spreading awareness. For more resources and information, visit the Ivy Brain Tumor Center awareness month page. To help further the cause, the Ivy Center is hosting their annual Dine & Donate program throughout May.

Ep. 47: Sustainability Ideas for Small Business in Aerospace & Defense

Get the inside scoop on industry news and technology!

In this podcast, Spirit Electronics CEO Marti McCurdy talks with aerospace and defense experts about high-reliability components and industry-rocking topics affecting the supply chain.

Ep. 47: Sustainability Ideas for Small Business in Aerospace & Defense

In celebration of Earth Day 2023, Spirit is highlighting all of the ways that we have been pursuing sustainable operations. Even as a small business, we believe that every little action adds up.

Green-minded Director of Technical Sales Sean Macdonald joins Marti for this episode on Spirit’s sustainable small business activities. From growing and harvesting an employee garden to automating our facility and composting paper towels, listen for ideas on how even small changes can support a sustainable supply chain and team well-being.

For more about Spirit’s sustainability practices and operations, follow us on LinkedIn as we celebrate EarthDay.

Spirit Electronics Wins Silver Award at BAE Systems Partner 2 Win Supplier Symposium

Spirit Wins BAE Partner 2 Win Supplier Award 2023

CEO Marti McCurdy, Dir. of Program Management Ivan Santana and Dir. of Technical Sales Sean MacDonald accept the BAE Partner 2 Win award in Austin, Texas.

Spirit Electronics achieved a Silver Supplier award at the 2023 BAE Systems Partner 2 Win Supplier Symposium in Austin, Texas. CEO Marti McCurdy, Director of Program Management Ivan Santana and Director of Technical Sales Sean Macdonald attended the awards ceremony to receive the award on behalf of the Spirit team. Spirit was among 55 Gold and Silver Suppliers recognized at the event.

“We are happy to have our efforts to support the defense supply chain recognized for yet another year,” says Spirit CEO Marti McCurdy. Spirit has been an award-winning BAE supplier for the six years since McCurdy took the helm. “BAE truly approaches the supply chain with partnership in mind, and we have worked hard to build a supplier relationship with them that continues to deliver quality products that fit their program needs,” she says.

Spirit Electronics is among 816 small and diverse businesses in the BAE supply chain, which will spend over 2 billion dollars in 2023. BAE’s small business commitment states, “We recognize that small business partners contribute to our innovative processes, support of the war fighter, job creation and the overall economic health of United States economy.” As a veteran-owned, woman-owned, HUBZone small business employing multiple veterans, supporting military and defense programs is particularly important to the Spirit team.

Spirit Electronics serves as an authorized distributor for electronic components for BAE Systems, as well as offering value-added services essential to the defense supply chain such as ASIC design and logistics, MIL-STD-883 reliability testing and circuit card assembly.

award quality

Ep. 46: Spirit Gives: Basket Gifting Fundraiser

Get the inside scoop on industry news and technology!

In this podcast, Spirit Electronics CEO Marti McCurdy talks with aerospace and defense experts about high-reliability components and industry-rocking topics affecting the supply chain.

Ep. 46: Spirit Gives: Basket Gifting Fundraiser

In this bonus episode, Marti & Alyssa talk about the ongoing Spirit Gives Foundation basket fundraiser. Donations allow us to hold community building events and support local children year-round.

Spirit Gives has the perfect gift for your spring holiday. Whether it’s Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduation, teacher appreciation or your own special occasion, Spirit Gives is offering high-end pampering gifts baskets in appreciation for donations. You can preview baskets and donate today at SpiritGives.org.

Advancing Aerospace & Defense Applications with the AMD Xilinx Versal ACAP

AMD Xilinx Versal ACAP @ Spirit Electronics

AMD Xilinx rolled out the first Adaptive Compute Acceleration Platform (ACAP) device in 2021. The high-reliability XQR and XQ Versal devices released in 2022 are qualified and ruggedized for military and aerospace applications, onboard computing and data processing is accelerating just when commercial space, low-Earth orbit missions, and New Space are booming.

With the speed of advancement in the A&D industry, adoption can be a challenge. Design, qualification and supporting technology can be important factors in taking advantage of a device with capabilities as intensive as the Versal.

What Can ACAP Do in A&D?

The Versal ACAP offers programmable logic capabilities beyond the FPGA. Where the FPGA required more hardware programming, the Versal platform allows for more advanced reconfiguration by incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning. This increases computing power and flexibility while in orbit or in ops, allowing computing to adapt to mission needs.

Applications for satellite and commercial space missions include cloud and internet connectivity, high-speed networking, and greater data processing and control for radar, GPS and instrumentation. In-flight programming opens a wide range of possibilities for reconfiguration across the life of the mission.

Applied on ground and air defense operations, the Versal is optimized for sensor systems, networking, wireless data processing, and radar applications. Adaptable AI features allow reprogramming to adjust to new and evolving algorithms.

Versal Qualification for Defense

The XQ Versal uses ruggedized packaging options to protect device operations in harsh and high-reliability operations. AMD Xilinx has over 30 years of heritage in military and defense support, and the new XQ Versal includes design considerations unique to the industry.

The defense-grade Versal comes with MIL-STD-883 Group D qualification testing, with extended temperature range from –55°C to +125°C. Packaging meets MIL-PRF-38535 requirements for tin-lead (3% Pb) to protect solder from whiskering.

The XQ Versal package design also considers ease of assembly where military and defense applications often require conformal coating to protect the assembled board. The open-lid package is unique to the XQ Versal to simplify board assembly and prevent manufacturing chemicals from being trapped in the device before sealing.

AMD Xilinx includes anti-counterfeit laser marking, micro watermarking and 2D bar coding to advance supply chain security for Versal devices.

Versal Qualification for Space and New Space

The XQR Versal is radiation tolerant, ideal for low-Earth orbit environments common among satellite and commercial space programs. It is capable of supporting 5- to 7-year missions, allowing in-orbit reconfiguration and programming throughout the mission life. The XQR Versal is radiation tolerant to MIL-STD-883 Class B.

Ecosystem of Products to Support the Versal ACAP

The new ACAP approach to in-flight computing requires power, memory and an ecosystem of advanced components supporting the Versal. Spirit Electronics brings the best technical support in the business from our advanced OCMs to make sure your board design can support the Versal.

- The Versal ACAP comes with a hardened integrated DDR Memory Controller (DDRMC) and includes programmable network on chip (NOC) for advanced interconnectivity. Performing inside the board ecosystem, any additional memory supporting the Versal must be DDR4 or more advanced memory. Spirit offers space-qualified DDR4 memory capable of supporting the Versal.

- Texas Instruments power management ICs support the Versal’s higher-current processor loads. TI’s flight heritage also offers power management with rad-hard and rad-tolerant qualifications for components ready to fly space and harsh-environment missions.

The ACAP Moves A&D Forward

Building on the FPGA’s programmable logic and customizable applications, the Versal ACAP brings computing into the next evolution of AI and machine learning integration for faster, connected processing. As the volume of data in New Space and defense applications grows, the ACAP offers advanced processing to manage, communicate and adapt to demanding missions. With in-ops advanced reprogramming capabilities, the Versal ACAP extends mission life and success for aerospace and defense applications.

Improving Computing with Advanced Device Architecture

The 7nm Versal ACAP is fully programmable heterogeneous computing using Scalar, Adaptable, and Intelligent Engines that improve on previous AMD Xilinx FPGA and SoC devices for the highest- and fastest-performing programmable logic.

XQ Defense-Grade Versal Product Brief

Spirit Electronics Honored by Northrop Grumman for Strategic Excellence

Spirit Account Representative Jason Brandsma and Corporate Sales Manager Dan Jasinek

Spirit Electronics was recently recognized as a top Northrop Grumman Corporation supplier for 2022 with their Strategic Excellence Award. Spirit earned the honor for providing electronic components and value-added services that support unique and critical business needs for Northrop Grumman and its customers with outstanding service.

“I’m very proud of the partnership the Spirit team has grown with Northrop Grumman,” says Spirit Electronics CEO Marti McCurdy. “Spirit offers a vertically integrated approach to the supply chain, which is why we are able to offer such strategic support to our customers’ advanced programs.”

Spirit was one of only 24 honorees to receive the Strategic Excellence Award from among Northrop Grumman’s 10,000 global suppliers. This is the second year running for Spirit’s recognition in Northrop Grumman’s supplier awards. Spirit was named a World Class Team Supplier in 2021.

“The performance of Spirit Electronics sets it apart as one of the best of the best supplier partners,” said Matt Bromberg, Corporate Vice President, Global Operations Northrop Grumman. “The expertise and partnership of our supplier teams across the globe demonstrates that together, we are well positioned to meet our customers’ most complex mission needs.”

Spirit Electronics offers strategic supply chain solutions for aerospace and defense customers. Spirit’s products and services include authorized component distribution, MIL-STD-883 testing and qualification, and automated circuit card assembly. Bringing distribution and services in-house under a single supply source allows Spirit to streamline, secure and manage multiple aspects of the supply chain for customers like Northrop Grumman.