February 1, 2024
WCH CH32V003 - 0.1$ RISC-V 32-bit microcontroller : weekend die-shot
Nanjing Qinheng Microelectronics (WCH) CH32V003 is a 0.1-0.15$ 32-bit RISC-V microcontroller (16KiB flash, 2KiB SRAM). This specific die was from J4M6 variant in SO-8 package, but it is clear that die is universal as it has way more than 8 pads. There was suspicion that external flash is used similar to GD32, but this is not the case, at least in V003 line. It is now also supported by Arduino platform with open source tools.Die size 1732x1172 µm. Smallest features visible from top layer are 250nm, but technology node is likely much finer. Comparing to time-proven STM32F100C4T6B die area is 4.39x smaller, so it could be around 90nm.

ADC capacitor bank is metal-only:
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January 30, 2024
National LM200 - early linear voltage regulator : weekend die-shot
Not often we can see useful microchips which are more than 55 years old (datecode 6742). Die size 963x961 µm.Metal layer is misaligned by ~6-8µm, but looks like it is still functional (scale 0.53µm/px).

Packaged in a beautiful golden package:
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January 1, 2024
PHILIPS TDA8451A - Analog TV CCD delay line : weekend die-shot
TDA8451A replaces ultrasonic delay lines used previously. Analog TV transmitted color and luminance signals in sequence, so one needed to have a delay circuit to get full color image.Die size 2903x2016 µm.

January 1, 2024
December 1, 2023
STMicroelectronics TS974IDT - quad CMOS opamp : weekend die-shot
This R2R opamp needs as little as 2.7V VCC to operate. Die size 1368x1408 µm.Look at that 4-way VCC split to improve channel-to-channel isolation!

November 29, 2023
Philips NE558N - quad 555 timer : weekend die-shot
One can compare to Segnetics NE558N (Segnetics was acquired by Philips in 1975). Die size 2435x2408 µm.
November 1, 2023