Black epoxy covering ICs?

I saw the same inside a Dongle issued to stop software copy protection, it consisted of just a chip with the legs connected to the parallel pins.. I assumed it was to hide the type of chip, but I don't know for sure :-)

Hi there,

"K1G1" wrote in news:W1oGd.8806$IV5.4480@attbi_s54:

most of the time this epoxy is used to replace the IC case!

This technology is known as "Chip on Board" where the silicon chip is glued directly to the board and then bonded to the PCB connection pads just as it would be done inside the normal plastic case.

The black cover is put over the chip and its bonding wires after testing the device for correct function.

Examples for that are:

- LCD displays with integrated controller

- dongles that consist only of one chip

- cheap clocks and watches ...

Bye Michael

Is that done because they're cheapskates, or another reason?

glued

yes, it's cheaper it also takes less space the epoxy is to protect the chip as well as the bonding wires