trends in op-amp packages

I often have 40-50 OpAmps in ONE of my packages ;-)

...Jim Thompson

Hello Jim,

Could have really used that in the design I am wrapping up right now. 13 functions in five chips, plus lots of discretes and it all has to go onto half a square inch double-sided. I sure hope the assemblers don't misplace any parts because it'll be a bear to find out with all those

As to Adam's question, I'd just make sure to pick true "jelly-bean" parts. LPV324 or whatever. Avoid high-priced boutique parts that might go obsolete. Heck, my old work horse LM324 is still available in DIP and that thing almost dates back to the days of Methusaleh. But it does slowly migrate towards smaller packages. For a new design I believe TSSOP is a good bet. By the time that package might be discontinued we'll all be retired.

Sales guys are often quick to announce the demise of a certain technology. We have to take that with a grain of salt. In the 90's they told me the CD4000 series would be history in a couple years. Duh. None of this happened. Also, lots of "modern" electronics use through-hole. Open a newer TV set and you'll see a huge phenolic (!) circuit board which is often single-sided. These are full of classic through-hole parts.

Regards, Joerg

So how many of them do you get to work? :)

martin

All of them ;-)

...Jim Thompson

Jim Thompson wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:

I have been increasingly moving to MSOPs for Op Amps. The biggest issue is that they are generally only available on T/R. There are are a few companies that provide smaller reels of 250 and some distributors sell Cut Tape.

I usually avoid SSOP over TSSOP for logic. The TSSOPs are smaller and are usually available in both tubes and T/R.

I don't see any compelling reason to use the larger part when both are readily available. The .65mm pitch is not harder to solder than an SO.

I can't remember the last time I used a DIP op amp. I use thru hole for connectors and crystals and almost nothing else. Thru hole connectors are easier to align and are more robust. I use HC-49 thru hole crystals since the crystal manufacturers have never adopted a "universal" SMT package that I can buy for 25 cents. I can usually get just about any standard frequency in HC-49.