GD32 - sourcing, EOL - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: olkipukki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2020, 08:59:02 am
content: I'm keen to try GD32 MCUs for low-production, and wondering how easy to source these and what is availability in general?Did somebody use them in the past with more than just a personal breakout board?

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2020, 10:51:31 pm
content: Give a specific part number. LCSC or Taobao has thousands.Maybe this place, if they can be trusted:https://www.win-source.net/hot-sales-and-eol-components-gd32f103cbt6.html

author: phil from seattle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2020, 11:49:07 pm
content: JLCPCB has them in their library - pretty easy to order a fully baked board.

author: Selectech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2020, 02:30:25 am
content: I use lots of GD32F130G8U6, get them from LCSC. I buy cut tape strips but now also reels of that part since I use it on several production designs.

author: S. Petrukhin
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2020, 10:28:38 am
content: I used GD32F103C8, just soldered it into place of STM32. ADC, DMA, SPI, UART are used, everything works as usual. SYSCLK in the RCC settings was left at 72 MHz. I bought LCSC.

author: olkipukki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2020, 11:27:04 am
content: GD has listed local distributors (usually "unknown" companies) for MCUs, not sure how they perform.DK/Mouser looks like Flash suppliers only.LCSC is fine and I bought a few samples from them, but I would prefer more than one supplier. (prices go down as high, stock can disappear etc. - yes, happend with LCSC too)Also, not clear GD EOL policy, how long a part is available on market...

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2020, 09:30:47 pm
content: Quote from: olkipukki on December 23, 2020, 11:27:04 amYou still haven't provided a part number.If you care about EOL guarantee then buy ST, not from gigadevice.

author: S. Petrukhin
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2020, 09:32:10 pm
content: Quote from: olkipukki on December 23, 2020, 11:27:04 amAlas, the modern world is dangerous with risks. But, if there are no ST/GD processors tomorrow, the Moon will not fall to Earth and you will be able to recycle your device for another processor. If you have already made a lot of boards for this processor or are going to do it, buy now the components that cause concern. If you are planning large production volumes, contact ST - if you order 10,000 or more, they will gladly blow the dust off the optical disks and start production of any processors.Apparently, the storage of inventory is now becoming an unnecessary burden, which is difficult to maintain. Probably, the demand for younger models is decreasing. I know a lot of beginners who consider the F4xx series a beginner level and do primitive things on A7.Don't worry, there is always a solution. By the way, Russia also produces a Cortex-M3 processor. It's covered in gold, cost like an airplane wing, doesn't suffer from a nuclear explosion, but I can't buy it even in Russia. But, in case of anything, I am ready to be your representative for purchases in Russia of a batch of 100,000 pieces. I am sure that we will agree with the manufacturer.

author: olkipukki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2020, 12:00:23 pm
content: Quote from: thm_w on December 23, 2020, 09:30:47 pmI'm considering GD32E23 and GD32E50 series.Quote from: thm_w on December 23, 2020, 09:30:47 pmDoes that mean GD didn't hold a promises, some parts disappeared and short-lived in past?

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2020, 03:17:27 pm
content: Quote from: olkipukki on December 24, 2020, 12:00:23 pmAlthough past experience can tell you a thing or two, you can't base business decisions on this only. If ST guarantees a minimum 10 years from now - and writes it, for instance, then you can count on that, and if they ever fail, you could sue. If GD doesn't make such claim, then you're basically on your own. I don't know what kind of "promises" GD makes. But even if they also guarantee a minimum EOL date (which I don't know), suing a chinese company from a western country is usually a lost cause. So you basically have no means of pressure of any kind (unless maybe you buy products by the million.)And that said, I'm not sure why you would select GD ICs for a "low-production" project (define low). We also don't know if this is for business or a personal project. Not sure either were exactly you are from - I know some countries have difficulities/may not be allowed to purchase and use parts from the US, for instance, in which case going for chinese parts, even if not for the price tag, is sometimes the only option.Or maybe this is for an actual technical reason - I saw that the GD32E23 are available with up to 3 MBytes of Flash, for instance, which is significantly more than what you typically get with "similar" MCUs from ST or others.

author: olkipukki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2020, 06:31:45 pm
content: Quote from: SiliconWizard on December 24, 2020, 03:17:27 pmSure, I can a flip a coin and have almost 50% certainty, but...Not long time ago, you can buy Espressif ESPxxx directly very easy, but time goes by and they not much interest in a small players anymore, not big issue - you can buy their products from a major distributors now, not only LCSCQuote from: SiliconWizard on December 24, 2020, 03:17:27 pmNever thought or consider to sue...I'm after a rumor from streets or perhaps somebody has some experience.

author: poorchava
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2021, 08:10:12 pm
content: TME distributes GD stuff, including microcontrollers. Maybe ask them.Btw, it turns out, that GigaDevice is a really big company. Supposedly they are a large player in NOR flash market.