Atmel Introduces World's smallest Microcontrollers?
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From: Sheik Quassam on 16 May 2010 09:03 but the cost!
From: Bill Giovino on 16 May 2010 15:39 "-jg" wrote... > On May 15, 9:00 am, "Bill Giovino" wrote: > > http://microcontroller.com/news/Atmel_smallest.asp > > > > Teeny tiny uDFN package that is only 2mm on each side. > > hmm...NXP are already way ahead of that on density. > > They pack TWICE as many pins into a BGA just over 2mmx2mm > The NXP page you cited lists the dimensions at "2.17 mm� x 2.32 mm�, thickness of 0.6mm" Can I safely assume that they actually meant to write "2.17mm x 2.32mm"? Because if they didn't, I'm not sure how to interpret or trust those dimensions. However, most Engineers would agree that the Atmel 2mm x 2mm package is still smaller. Bill Giovino Executive Editor http://Microcontroller.com Follow Me: http://twitter.com/BGiovino
From: -jg on 16 May 2010 15:59 On May 17, 7:39 am, "Bill Giovino" <contac...(a)microcontroller.com> wrote: > "-jg" wrote... > > On May 15, 9:00 am, "Bill Giovino" wrote: > > >http://microcontroller.com/news/Atmel_smallest.asp > > > > Teeny tiny uDFN package that is only 2mm on each side. > > > hmm...NXP are already way ahead of that on density. > > > They pack TWICE as many pins into a BGA just over 2mmx2mm > > The NXP page you cited lists the dimensions at "2.17 mm² x 2.32 mm², thickness of 0.6mm" > Can I safely assume that they actually meant to write "2.17mm x 2.32mm"? Because if they > didn't, I'm not sure how to interpret or trust those dimensions. > > However, most Engineers would agree that the Atmel 2mm x 2mm package is still smaller. Sure, but most engineers I now, are smart enough to grasp the difference between Density (which is what I wrote) and Area ;) Most designers are more interested in Functionality per area, than absolute area, some are interested in Price/area, but vendors do try for whatever wriggle space they can find, for bragging rights. You also missed out on your banner claim "Atmel introduces the worlds smallest microcontrollers", because someone else already has an 8 bit, 2mmx2mm package Microcontroller, (with 10 pins, more code and more Ram) so Atmel is second even there.... oops. -jg
From: MartinWalton on 17 May 2010 08:12 -jg wrote: > On May 17, 7:39 am, "Bill Giovino" <contac...(a)microcontroller.com> > wrote: >> "-jg" wrote... >>> On May 15, 9:00 am, "Bill Giovino" wrote: >>>> http://microcontroller.com/news/Atmel_smallest.asp >>>> Teeny tiny uDFN package that is only 2mm on each side. >>> hmm...NXP are already way ahead of that on density. >>> They pack TWICE as many pins into a BGA just over 2mmx2mm >> The NXP page you cited lists the dimensions at "2.17 mm� x 2.32 mm�, thickness of 0.6mm" >> Can I safely assume that they actually meant to write "2.17mm x 2.32mm"? Because if they >> didn't, I'm not sure how to interpret or trust those dimensions. >> >> However, most Engineers would agree that the Atmel 2mm x 2mm package is still smaller. > > Sure, but most engineers I now, are smart enough to > grasp the difference between Density (which is what I wrote) and > Area ;) > > Most designers are more interested in Functionality per area, than > absolute area, some are interested in Price/area, but vendors do try > for whatever wriggle space they can find, for bragging rights. > > You also missed out on your banner claim "Atmel introduces the worlds > smallest microcontrollers", because someone else already has an 8 bit, > 2mmx2mm package Microcontroller, (with 10 pins, more code and more > Ram) so Atmel is second even there.... oops. > > -jg I'm always a bit suspicious when I read the phase "Atmel Introduces". What this usually seems to mean is "Atmel's marketing dept aspires to...", rather that "Atmel is shipping". Is this actually a real product, or just something they might make in the future if enough customers show interest? Martin
From: Bill Giovino on 17 May 2010 12:32
"MartinWalton" wrote... : > > I'm always a bit suspicious when I read the phase "Atmel Introduces". What this > usually seems to mean is "Atmel's marketing dept aspires to...", rather that "Atmel is > shipping". > > Is this actually a real product, or just something they might make in the future if > enough customers show interest? > > Martin If you discover that the product isn't real, please let me know. -Bill Giovino |