We’ve already covered counterfeit components with a method to detect STM32 fakes, and several years ago, FTDI decided to take action by bricking clones of their USB to serial chips, although they’ve fairly quickly reversed course following the backlash.
But Chris Petrich decided to look at another type of component: Maxim Integrated DS18B20 temperature sensor often found in waterproof temperature probes. His team bought over 1000 waterproof probes or bare chips from more than 70 different vendors on eBay, AliExpress, and online stores in 2019, and found the vast majority to be fake, counterfeit, or clones.
So if you have such sensor not quite working as expected, you likely bought a clone as some of the counterfeit sensors do not work in parasitic power mode, have a high noise level, a temperature offset outside the advertised ±0.5 °C band, do not contain an EEPROM, have bugs and unspecified failure rates.
One way to find whether you have such fake DS18B20 sensor is to check the external design, and for example, the top mark of original Maxim chips is lasered rather than printed, and the first two rows should read DALLAS 18B20, which refers to Dallas Semiconductor (the company was bought by Maxim Integrated in 2001), etc..
Another simple is to check the ROM code. If it does not follow the pattern 28-xx-xx-xx-xx-00-00-xx then the DS18B20 sensor is a clone. Alternatively, you could run one or two Arduino sketches to test DS18B20 sensors:
discover_fake_DS18B20.inoperforms some safe tests and indicates if they show deviations from authentic DS18B20. Not designed to work with parasitic power.classify_fake_DS18B20.inois a minimal implementation matching a sensor to a specific family based on the response to undocumented function codes. Use at your own risk, since sending undocumented function codes to a DS18B20 sensor may render it permanently useless.
You’ll find both sketches and a detailed explanation about DS18B20 authentic and fake families on Github. Some of the clones include UMW or GXCAS 18B20 which works mostly to specs, 7Q-Tek QT18B20 with a -0.5 °C temperature offset at 0°C, as well as nameless parts referred to as “Noisy Rubbish with Supercap” or “Noisy Rubbish” which the latter available from a large number of vendors.
So how do you avoid purchasing a fake DB18B20 sensor or probe? Avoid eBay and Aliexpress like the plague, and purchase parts directly from Maxim Integrated, or via approved distributors namely Digikey, Farnell, Mouser, or RS Components.
Via Hacker News
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
Support CNX Software! Donate via cryptocurrencies, become a Patron on Patreon, or purchase goods on Amazon or Aliexpress
I have just been reading that ADI is looking at buying Maxim.
In other news, water is wet… 😉
but is it too wet or just wet enough?
Just checked samples I got directly from Maxim and pattern is 28-xx-xx-xx-xx-06-00-xx. Did Maxim send me clones? 🙂
Very likely 😛
Are You trying to tell me that Maxim produces clones of its own products? ROTFL.
They are all clones of the same mask 😉
Or their sample department is a reputed Aliexpress seller? Hehe
Who knows…
What I don’t really understand is why can’t you sell clones under your own name? I mean like GD32 like this those who give a #_#_@ can get clones and those who want a genuine product get what they need. Also as a clone manufacturer there is a chance to build up a reputation for producing quality clones.
But I guess I once again don’t understand a probably profitable business case…
Because of search engines! People type in DS18B20. If the clone does not use the same part number it won’t appear.
Long ago there used to be databases of second sources for parts than included alternative part numbers. Building those was a manual process and I’m not even sure they exist any more.
But if you search for Allwinner H6 you will also get rk3288 so Aliexpress is the perfect second source search engine 😀
But you are right second source is a thing of the past. Decades ago even intel had to offer second source, until they could prove they can give a certain level of “supplyability” on their own with fabs all over.
Also every semiconductor company used to offer a service where you could enter a competitor’s p/n and would get their equivalent back if available.
Fake ds18b20 I have take same time to get a value doesn’t matter the resolution you select. It’s always about 500ms long, where data sheet specifies between 70 and 700ms.
I have some units that I bought some years ago that behave as specified. So I suppose they are genuine.
I’ve tried to buy to up to four providers in AliExpress and I always get fake ones.