The Force Technologies Approach to Semiconductor Upscreening

When you’re designing for environments where failure isn’t an option a defense system in the desert, a satellite orbiting the Earth, or a medical device in a critical care unit every component in the chain needs to perform flawlessly.

The challenge? Not every part you need is available in a military-grade variant. Sometimes, the only viable option is a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) device. That’s where Force Technologies steps in.

What We Mean by “Upscreening”

Upscreening is the process of taking a commercially available semiconductor and testing it to perform reliably in harsher, more demanding environments than it was originally designed for. It’s not just about testing at temperature extremes, it’s about proving that a device can do its job when the stakes are high.

At Force Technologies, we help customers qualify commercial components for:

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  Military and defense systems
  
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  Aerospace and satellite applications
  
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  Industrial automation in harsh conditions
  
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  Safety-critical medical devices
  

We take a COTS device and validate it to perform as though it were built for space, combat, or unforgiving industrial conditions.

Why Upscreen at All?

You might already know the answer: military- or space-grade parts are increasingly difficult to source. Lead times are long. Prices are high. And in many cases, the parts are no longer manufactured.

Upscreening gives you options.

By validating commercial parts through rigorous testing, we help you:

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  Extend the life of existing designs
  
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  Keep production lines moving
  
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  Maintain system reliability without redesigns
  
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  Reduce overall risk and cost
  

It’s a practical, proven solution and one that we’ve been perfecting for decades.

What Our Upscreening Process Looks Like

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. We work closely with your team to build a test plan that matches your application. Depending on your needs, upscreening may include:

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  Functional and parametric testing across extended temperature ranges
  
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  Burn-in and temperature cycling to expose early-life failures
  
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  Visual inspections, X-ray analysis, and hermeticity testing
  
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  Mechanical shock and vibration testing for rugged environments
  

All testing is performed to industry-recognized standards (MIL-STD, JESD, etc.) and backed by our 40+ years of experience working with critical programs across the globe.

How We Help You Reduce Risk

Component reliability isn’t just a spec it’s your reputation, your program timeline, and in many cases, lives on the line.

We don’t just run parts through a checklist. We help you understand where the risks are, how to mitigate them, and how to keep your program moving forward without compromising on quality.

Our goal is simple: give you confidence in the parts you use.

Is Upscreening Worth It?

In most cases, yes and especially when time, budget, and availability are all working against you. Upscreening allows you to unlock value from parts that are in stock, widely available, and cost-effective, without compromising on reliability.

It’s a bridge between commercial supply and mission-critical performance and Force Technologies has been helping customers walk that bridge since 1986.

Let’s Talk About Your Requirements

Whether you’re up against a supply chain issue, designing for a harsh new environment, or simply want to qualify a device for a new application, our team is here to help.

We don’t just upscreen parts we support programs, solve problems, and deliver reliability when it matters most.

Get in touch to start a conversation. Let’s make sure your components are ready for whatever you’re building next.