How does one get approved for TI sample program? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: JPortici
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2022, 07:16:51 am
content: I registered with the company email but i don't get to order samples automatically, i get it, even though i filled in all sorts of data given that i registered as a business.I see that i have to open a case through support to get approval, ok.I fill the form, send it and the answer it's "declined"can i understand why?no, there is no way to know.But i can still buy them! (no shit)Why i wanted to enter the sampling program? because last i checked there were many parts i was interested in that were even in stock (in theory) but that i couldn't buy for some unknown reason, but i could request samples.Why do i want samples? because they're one offs / prototypes.Why TI? because sadly they are the perfect fit.

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 07, 2022, 07:29:14 am
content: Sorry sir, gold card members only!You didn't spend $1M+ with us last year....or something to that effect?

author: JPortici
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2022, 07:52:22 am
content: No answer whatsoever, just "declined" and case closed

author: niconiconi
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2022, 07:56:03 am
content: Dave had a rant on free samples in the very early days of EEVblog. He basically says it's usually a waste of time and doesn't worth it. I agree.EEVblog #126 - The Free Sample Fallacy

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2022, 07:58:50 am
content: Quote from: voltsandjolts on June 07, 2022, 07:29:14 amIt's nothing like that.But the samples are not for one offs prototypes either. AFAIK samples are for those working in the industry, so they can finish their design about the same time when the chips will be ready for sale. Sometimes the engineering samples are pre-production versions of silicon.Samples are not for hobbyists. They are not freebies or giveaways either. The only one-offs they might consider are for students doing their masters or PhD projects using TI samples. This is usually valid for other companies, too, not only for TI. Texas Instruments is not only one sending samples.I've request samples a few times, for a startup, and TI sent them. There were no imposed minimal buy, or other pre-condition to fulfill. However, at the first order only, I've received a phone call from a marketing/sales lady from TI who checked that our company and the project were for real. It was a rather long "interview", a 15-30 minutes phone call, with casual questions and free talk about the startup and the project.That was about 10-15 years ago, I don't know how it is now. Pretty obvious nowadays there is no chip abundance like it was only a couple of years ago. Then, there are export regulations and high-tech embargo restrictions that were tighten a lot, especially in the recent years. Then there is the chip shortage from the last 1-2 years. Then, there were countless industry consolidations where TI (and others, too) bought most of their competitors, so now they don't need to fight much to win customers from the western world.

author: JPortici
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2022, 08:55:51 am
content: Guys, i understand why we shouldn't use samples, i agree with the logic.If the chip is available, i will just buy it. It takes less time and it's a drop in the ocean that is the cost of designing something anyway.But if the chip is not available to buy, though you make it available only through samples, and you refuse to provide it without even telling me why, and i'm not asking as an individual but as a business, well.. at this point i may just redesign your chip out of the projectThe pattern is literally go to TI website, find part, see that it has stock, add to cart, go to checkout. At the moment of reviewing the order the stock is magically not available anymore but if i want i can request one offs/samples but i have to be in the sample program. So apply for program, sorry declined, you're on your own.The experience with microchip is completely the opposite. It has to be approved as well but you can talk to somebody in case and the only time it was declined in years of using the program was for an engineering sample (and that was because they wouldn't give it away unless you promised to buy reels which wasn't the case, i wanted to experiment with a different approach to a problem. When i asked there weren't dev tools available otherwise i would have bought the devtool directly)

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2022, 09:15:16 am
content: There was no explicit "membership" or "sample program", I've just ordered a few samples and been contacted by phone from TI/Germany (in English, and without any request or program subscription from my side, other than that I've added some free samples in the shopping basket).Looks like things have changed a lot meanwhile, sorry.

author: JPortici
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2022, 09:28:54 am
content: no, now you have to get through the support channel, they make you fill a form in which you have to give a bunch of details (company name, location, phone, target market, target application, description)

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2022, 10:28:23 am
content: TI do seem to be getting a bad rep lately. It's a shame, because they were my go-to supplier for things like op-amps, power management and data converters. In the past I've generally had a great experience with data sheets that are accurate, and parts that just work.These days I tend to work on projects that have a fairly quick design cycle from concept to production, so there's not really the need for samples. I'll usually just design the part into a schematic after first checking it's actually in stock to buy from somewhere reputable, then go straight to a rev A prototype. We'll buy parts for the first production batch as soon as the PCB is done.Even if that board has some bugs - which a brand new design often does, of course - it's quite unlikely that the rev B will replace many parts that have significant value, and that represent a significant sunk cost that we can't get back.On the plus side, at least the acquisition of Linear Tech by ADI means that the LTSpice libraries have grown nicely, and it's easier than ever to simulate a new design using models of actual components that I might be able to buy. I think I have a new go-to supplier.

author: JPortici
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2022, 11:29:06 am
content: Quote from: AndyC_772 on June 07, 2022, 10:28:23 amPrecisely, i have an LDO i can't really substitute because of the high frequency PSSR, haven't found suitable replacement yet, another that guarantees no current fed back to the input even if not powered (plus the right polarity for enable, plus TTL enable)The TPS2 and TPS4 series of load switches are perfect. Simple, right price, adjustable current limit and current measurement build accurate to the mA even at low range.. Haven't found a replacement for those without needing a serious redesign.Were my goto for DACs as well, the ADI compatible ones didn't give enough improvement for the price difference.Quotealso trueQuoteagain, i found many parts recently that i would have bought, theoretically in stock but not really, i could have ordered samples thought escept they won't let me

author: magic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2022, 01:00:08 pm
content: Quote from: RoGeorge on June 07, 2022, 07:58:50 amYou may think so, but many hobbyists and audiophools believed otherwise.Quote from: RoGeorge on June 07, 2022, 07:58:50 amNear 2010 vendors already started to crack down on sample abuse and today samples are only likely to be even harder to obtain.Analog, for example, in the last few years only offers samples of SMD packages for some reason

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2022, 09:40:36 pm
content: What is the specific part number?Just because "Request a sample" link is there, I don't think that means they necessarily have it in stock. Almost everything shows as out of stock for me.

author: taste_tester
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2022, 06:17:25 pm
content: Quote from: RoGeorge on June 07, 2022, 07:58:50 amIt's not even a problem of the abundance of chips. Since maybe the early 2010's it was impossible to get free samples anymore. I can't imagine it had anything to do with message boards on the internet being filled with people posting "Lol if you paid for your chips, just call TI and get free samples!" which you would think would not many people would abuse due to morals, but obviously "morals" and a 15 minute phone call wasn't stopping a lot of people

author: E-Design
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2022, 06:32:28 pm
content: Work with the TI FAE's and samples are indeed available.. even in cases of "no stock" situations.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2022, 06:36:47 pm
content: Quote from: magic on June 07, 2022, 01:00:08 pmSamples should always be BGA or other 'difficult' packages. keeps the riff-raff out.

author: MadTux
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2022, 09:09:19 pm
content: I simply bought a few opamps from TI store directly, the last time I needed them to repair a Keithley 2010.Not exactly cheap, but you're certain the parts will arrive and won't be china fakes

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2022, 05:40:15 am
content: Quote from: AndyC_772 on June 07, 2022, 10:28:23 amAgreed.Technically, they get an A+.Customer focus, they get an E.Part availability, they get an F.I like their datasheets too. I have occasionally found some issues, but I am not complaining. LT and AD are also very good with quality datasheets. I think these companies hire very competent and knowledgeable technical writers. Webench is terrific.