uC lifetime
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From: Ulf Samuelsson on 14 Dec 2009 09:05 Peter skrev: > Vladimir Vassilevsky <nospam(a)nowhere.com> wrote > >> >> linnix wrote: >> >>> On the other hand, my complaint with Atmel is that they are not moving >>> fast enough with AVR. >> Being burned several times with obsoleteness of Atmel AVRs and flash >> memory chips (no replacement offered), I'd rather unrecommend Atmel. >> >> Vladimir Vassilevsky >> DSP and Mixed Signal Design Consultant >> http://www.abvolt.com > > Funny you should say that... > > I have been using the 90s1200 for about 10 years in production > volumes. We heep about 5 years' of strategic stock. > > Just as I was getting around to replace the 1200 with the recommended > replacement (2313 or something like that?) I found out that that one > had been discontinued also. So next year I will look into it again. > The recommended replacement is the ATtiny2313. There is an ATtiny2313A around the corner. While the ATtiny2313 will be moved to "not recommended for new designs", (because for new designs, the ATtiny2313A will be better) I believe that the intention is to keep the ATtiny2313 in production for a substantial time. This is unlike the move from the AT90S2313 to ATtiny2313, where the older part was obsoleted soon after the introduction. > Fortunately it is just a bit of code that reads a dipswitch and runs a > timer based on the setting... > > Atmel used to be such a great company... -- Best Regards Ulf Samuelsson These are my own personal opinions, which may or may not be shared by my employer Atmel Nordic AB
From: Tim Wescott on 14 Dec 2009 09:58 On Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:32:11 +0100, David Brown wrote: > Tim Wescott wrote: >> On Sun, 13 Dec 2009 11:11:04 +0100, JeGy wrote: >> >>> Hi, >>> >>> >>> I need some kind of analysis/report that covers lifetime, production >>> time, market availability, etc. >>> for newer uControllers, e.g. PIC, AVR, ARM, H8, etc. >>> >>> >>> I have googlet a lot, but not found anything useable. >>> >>> Anyone knows about such a report? >> >> Well, _I_ would like a detailed report about the profitibility of all >> the companies that I might like to invest in that is 100% accurate and >> extends out to the next 10 years. >> >> Then I won't have to work. >> >> Any and every microprocessor in the world today will be available >> forever, or until the manufacturer loses interest (check out Intel's >> history on this), whichever comes first. >> >> Since that doesn't help at all, the best you can do is check how >> manufacturers have done historically on this point (i.e. Microchip = >> good, Intel = bad bad bad, Freescale = usta be good, probably is good, >> but who knows with all the changes, etc.). >> >> > Haven't you heard the "past performance is no indication of future > results" disclaimers? Oh, I don't know. Intel has come out at least twice that I can remember (I think it's more like three or four) loudly touting "We're an embedded systems company now! It's usually during or right after an economic downturn when their processor sales slip, and it usually only takes a year or two of strong PC sales before they start touting how they're "going to refocus on our core business" and drop their embedded parts like hot potatoes. Which is a pity, because when they care to Intel makes nice embedded parts. > > Distributors can give you some fairly reliable indicators, as can the > manufacturers themselves (if you are big enough). Other than that, > budget for buying extra long-term stock as necessary. Yea verily. -- www.wescottdesign.com
From: linnix on 14 Dec 2009 12:57 On Dec 13, 9:24 pm, Vladimir Vassilevsky <nos...(a)nowhere.com> wrote: > linnix wrote: > > AVR is the case of a fine technical arch screwed over by Atmel > > managers. > > AVR is about 3 times faster then PIC18, and AVR core is nearly perfect > for C programming. There is a class of problems (like small control > systems, modems, encoders/decoders, etc.) for which the AVR is suited > well, but, as you said, the stupid practices made Atmel an unreliable > vendor. > > VLV I have no problems getting samples from TI or freescale, but not from Atmel. The Atmega32u6 specs are out for several months. Digikey does not carry it. Mouser needs 1K order and two to three months for delivery. Still waiting for my sample request months ago, both from Atmel and Mouser. The customer will buy 10K to 100K to ..., but I am not buying 1K just to see if it works. While waiting for Atmel, the customer wants an alternative solution. If they really want AVR, they would have to buy out Atmel. They certainly have enough cash to do it. By the way, I am sure they have PIC,MSP, HC,... reference designs, in addition to our AVR design. So, we can't use another arch, but they might.
From: Frank Buss on 14 Dec 2009 16:49 larwe wrote: > I work for a multibillion dollar company and *I* still cannot get > samples from Atmel. I get samples from the distributor, but I can only > have 5pcs at most of any one device. I can get >5pcs only by finding > someone to sign a PO (impossible; takes six months of begging and > procedure and paperwork) or by getting the distributor to submit > multiple orders staggered 8 days apart since anything closer than 8 > days would result in the orders being denied. Why should Atmel give you more than 5 samples? It is nice, if a company gives you free samples at all and more than a few pieces could be be misused. Of course, it is nothing compared to buying thousands ICs later when a product will be produced, but then it doesn't matter if you just buy the 10 samples from Digikey, Mouser, Farnell etc. Should be no problem for a multibillion dollar company and you don't have to answer long forms with questions why you need the samples, as seen on some webpages. -- Frank Buss, fb(a)frank-buss.de http://www.frank-buss.de, http://www.it4-systems.de
From: D Yuniskis on 14 Dec 2009 17:19
Peter wrote: > Good to see you back Don :) Greetings! I've managed to lose damn near all of my address book so... :< How is J putting up with your living arrangement? Tired of picking *your* socks up off the floor, yet?? ;-) How have J & S adjusted to all this -- though I expect they are now headed to University? We won't ask about K's reaction! Hopefully it was "well worth it" :> |