May 17, 2014
Toshiba TCD1201D - linear CCD : weekend die-shot
Toshiba TCD1201D is a monochrome 2048-pixel linear CCD. You can also notice few extra pixels for calibration shielded with aluminum.Die size 34814x802 µm.
With this die we've reached JPEG limits, full image would be 80k+ pixels wide, so we'll show beginning and the end of the CCD separately:
We are grateful to Kony for this chip.
May 3, 2014
SkyWorks AAT4292 - 7-bit high-side IO expander: weekend die-shot
SkyWorks AAT4292 is a 7-bit IO expander with 100mA 1.1Ω high-side switches per channel.Die size 1193x618 µm.
After metallization etch:
April 12, 2014
Phillips PCF8574 - 8-bit I2C port expander : weekend die-shot
Phillips PCF8574 is 8-bit I2C port expander, 3µm manufacturing technology.
April 8, 2014
Fake audiophile opamps: OPA627 (AD744?!)
Walking around ebay I noticed insanely cheap OPA627's. It's rather old, popular and high-quality opamp, often used in audiophile gear. Manufacturer (Texas Instruments / Burr Brown) sells them 16-80$ each (depending on package & options) while on ebay it's cost was 2.7$, shipping included. Obviously, something fishy was going on. I ordered one, and for comparison - older one in metal can package, apparently desoldered from some equipment. Let's see if there is any difference.
Read more →
March 29, 2014
SiTime SiT8008 - MEMS oscillator : weekend die-shot
SiTime SiT8008 is a programmable MEMS oscillator reaching quartz precision but with higher reliability and lower g-sensitivity. Also SiTime is one of companies who received investments from Rosnano - Russian high-tech investment fund.Photo of MEMS die puzzled us for quite some time. Is it some sort of integrated SAW/STW resonator?
The trick is that to reach maximum Q-factor (up to ~186'000 according to patents) MEMS resonator must operate in vacuum. So they package resonator _inside_ the die in hydrogen atmosphere, then anneal it in vacuum so that hydrogen escapes through silicon. So we see here only a cap with contacts to "buried" MEMS resonator. We were unable to reach the resonator itself without x-ray camera or ion mill.
MEMS die size - 457x454 µm.
Thankfully relevant patents were specified right on the die : US6936491 US7514283 US7075160 US7750758 :)
Read more →
March 22, 2014
TI TL431 adjustable shunt regulator : weekend die-shot
TI TL431 is an adjustable shunt regulator often used in linear supplies with external power transistor.Die size 1011x1013 µm.
March 18, 2014
TI LM393 - dual comparator : weekend die-shot
TI LM393 - dual comparator, one of old workhorses of electronics.Die size 704x748 µm.
