5 Lead‑Time and Yield Responsibility

An additional key factor is the lead time of the desired space‑grade device. High‑reliability (HiRel) parts can have long procurement cycles. To mitigate this, TI maintains a buffer stock of space‑grade components and displays real‑time inventory levels on TI's online store. Customers can verify availability and reserve parts early in their program. If no stock appears, TI encourages customers to contact the company for information on upcoming replenishment. Alternatively, customers can consult parts agencies such as TESAT, which maintain direct contact with TI.

For an up‑screening campaign, design engineers must also assume responsibility for yield. In practice, this means forecasting two variables:

• The total number of devices required for the program.
• The proportion of those devices that can pass the screening tests.

Accurate predictions are critical because any shortfall directly impacts schedule and cost.

Up-screening COTS parts always entails multidimensional risks as well as opportunities—risks must be carefully managed, and opportunities must be thoroughly weighed throughout design and manufacturing for consuming valuable resources at every step. To mitigate these challenges, TI provides not only fully qualified rad‑hard devices that comply with the QML‑V‑RHA standard of the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), but also a family of space‑enhanced products (SEP). SEP parts—identified by the ‑SEP suffix—offer a balanced tradeoff between potential cost and residual risk, allowing designers to meet typical LEO‑satellite mission requirements without the long lead times and uncertainties of a screening campaign. The industry generally classifies this quality level as radiation tolerant. Consequently, when a radiation‑tolerant part is available which meets all technical and environmental requirements, this part is generally the preferred option, provided the part is commercially viable.