Definitions - Device Status
The status definitions for device availability are:
- Active - Understood to be manufactured. The part number has been found on a current part list from the manufacturer or the part number is on current documentation provided to us from the manufacturer. The part should be suitable for new and existing designs. Contact your supplier for availability and life expectancy.
- Contact - Documentation is somewhat dated. The part was referenced on a previous version of the manufacturer's documentation, but is not found on the newest version of the document, and there is no product discontinuance notice available. The part may be suitable for designs, but you should contact your supplier for availability and life expectancy.
- Discontinued - The part is no longer made or the manufacturer is out of business. It may have been on an End-of-Life notice whose Last Time Buy date has expired. The part may still be available in the supply chain, but it is not for use in new designs.
- End-Of-Life - A product discontinuance or life-of-type buy notice has been issued for this device. When a date is displayed in the status field it represents the last date that the manufacturer will accept orders for this part. In most cases the actual end-of-life notice is available in the database for review, and can be accessed by clicking the EOL status hyperlink. When the end-of–life date has passed, the part status will become discontinued.
- Historical - Documentation is very dated. The part is presumed unsuitable for new designs, but a discontinuance notice is not available from the manufacturer. If still available in the supply chain, these parts may better serve the product maintenance industry.
- Preliminary - The documentation is preliminary and the availability is uncertain. Some of the ways manufacturers mark their documents that we interpret as preliminary include:
Advanced Information
Advanced Product Description
Brief
Development Sample Data
In Development
Introduction
New Product
Objective
Preliminary
Preview
Product Preview
Provisional
Tentative
The concept expressed by Preliminary is that the manufacturer is introducing the part to the market and the part may not be in full production. The part may become active or it may become discontinued directly from a preliminary status. As always, it is best to contact the manufacturer, or their representative, to determine the availability and life expectancy of any part.
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