Thanks, but no thanks, for the memories... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: asgard
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2015, 01:44:50 am
content: My current project, an industrial embedded controller based on the Allwinner A13 MCU, requires a 4GB x 8 memory for the on-board filesystem. Problem is that I just loooaaathe diving into that wonderful world of allocated silicon called memory selection. A previous design used an SK-Hynix part (H27UBG8T2B) which is a 32Gb part in 48-TSOP package. Unfortunately, Hynix now has that part in legacy mode, which is basically the kiss of death for projects based on it. So I dived into all the usual distributors to see if suitable substitutions are available. No dice! I can get (a few) parts from Ebay and such, but I have had to hold my nose when I use that method (which also doesn't solve the supply problem).Question one is, am I just going to have to bite off the big one and not use 48-TSOP parts any more?Two, I can get parts with twice the memory, but since the processor can't address it that way I am basically wasting my money if I do that.Three, I can just not use the on-board memory fs and use SD-cards and such, but oh the performance hit...Four, I think there are a couple of BGA parts that have the density and interfaces, but the only thing I loooaaathe more than memory selection is designing with balls. Since there are only single-source parts I will be right back here in just a year.Ideas?J.R. StonerBDGhttp://www.bifrost-group.com

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2015, 02:07:13 am
content: Micron seem to have some available in tsop48http://www.micron.com/products/nand-flash/slc-nand/32Gb#/status%5B%5D=Production

author: marshallh
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 17, 2015, 03:33:23 am
content: No reason to be scared of BGA. The only downside is that it may require tighter pcb for breakout (say, 0.8mm pitch) See the link in my signature.But before that, I'd be more concerned with designing in an Allwinner part... Why not use something like a Freescale i.mx* which are guaranteed for the next few years as part of the automotive market?

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2015, 03:39:53 am
content: Quote from: marshallh on June 17, 2015, 03:33:23 amI also thought using a tablet device in an industrial application seemed an odd choice. There are various ARM parts made for industrial and automotive users, which come with a commitment to be a available for a minimum number of years. They are electronically more suitable for industrial use, as well as having that long term commitment.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2015, 04:01:43 am
content: Apparently AW will produce even their oldest SoCs if you order enough of them... they are fabless, after all:https://olimex.wordpress.com/2014/11/27/how-long-olinuxino-with-allwinner-socs-will-be-produced-again-now-we-know-the-answer-forever/

author: asgard
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2015, 12:47:44 am
content: That's nice, but the CPU selection is a done deal My current problem, and that particular hit parade that just keeps coming around, is the memory. Micron, Hynix, and Samsung all continue to have the collateral material online for the family of NAND flash and DDR3 memories to which I have become acustomed. Problem is that the product life of memory devices seem more like 6 months rather than the 10 years I would think is "normal" for an industrial CPU device. The H27... part is now a legacy listed part and is soon to be EOL. The Samsung and Micron parts are simply invisible, as far as distributors are concerned (I think Alibaba is not reliable enough to base inventory decisions on). I have no intention of buying thousands on thousands of bux worth of silicon with that kind of supply uncertainty. I think the last time memory devices were reliably available was the venerable 2102's from Intel. But then that is the sort of fossil I am.J.R. StonerBDGhttp://www.bifrost-group.com