INA4235: BGA only?

Kevin Kachikian1

Part Number: INA4235
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: INA423XEVM,

Tool/software:

Hi. Prototyping with a BGA with 0.4mm spacing can be a challenge. Why wouldn't TI offer a QFN (or equiv) package for this part? It's a really great part but a challenge to test/debug. In particular, it appears as though I have a short between my I2C lines.

Kind of a rhetorical question I guess but I never understood why manufacturers don't offer alternative packaging for super tiny BGA parts. I've seen this with other companies.

Thanks,

Kevin

5 months ago

+1 Clemens Ladisch 5 months ago

Guru 294230 points

I'd guess the first (large) customers want to use it in mobile devices.

For prototyping, you can use the INA423XEVM.

0 Kevin Kachikian1 5 months ago in reply to Clemens Ladisch

Prodigy 140 points

Thanks. I have an EVM but I need 3 4235's on my board so it would still be nice if manufacturers would make a slightly easier prototyping package available. Not only that but the BGA has 0.4mm spacing requiring the 4 center balls to encapsulate vias into their pads. This adds significant cost to the PCB manufacturing and could easily be averted if a QFN package were available.

Just some thoughts if any TI marketing or design engineers happen to come across this...

+1 Mitch M 5 months ago in reply to Kevin Kachikian1

TI__Mastermind 23350 points

Hey Kevin,

Thank you for your suggestion. As Clemens mentioned, right now the only option would be to use the EVM or make your own setup. I am not sure, but it's possible that there are some sockets available as well. I will pass on your comments on to the team that makes these decisions.

Regards,

Mitch

0 Kevin Kachikian1 5 months ago in reply to Mitch M

Prodigy 140 points

Thanks Mitch. Yeah, I've seen this with other semiC manufacturers as well. I think it's just a matter of the design engineers really not experientially understanding the full prototype scenario especially for smaller companies.

Thanks for passing it along!

0 Mitch M 5 months ago in reply to Kevin Kachikian1

TI__Mastermind 23350 points

You're welcome!

0 MArshall Scholz 5 months ago

Prodigy 20 points

It looks like they are offering to offer the INA4235/INA4230 in a qfn-16 package on an unknown timeline.
https://e2e.ti.com/support/amplifiers-group/amplifiers/f/amplifiers-forum/1422568/ina4230-rail-monitor-future-availability-in-qfn/5451501#5451501

I could probably handle a 0.5mm pitch bga, but 0.4mm is forcing an increase to our board technology on a design that barely needs uvias in the first place. All other bgas are 0.8mm pitch or larger.

0 Mitch M 5 months ago in reply to MArshall Scholz

TI__Mastermind 23350 points

Hey Marshall/Kevin,

Yes, this is planned for the future, but we do not have a timeline at this point.

Regards,

Mitch

0 Kevin Kachikian1 5 months ago in reply to Mitch M

Prodigy 140 points

That's wonderful! Thanks Mitch/Marshall!

In the meantime, I've designed a breakout board (actually 80 of them) with the INA4235 BGA on the top and the pins in four 4-pin SiP's in a ~10mm^2 footprint for easy test/debug. I've even included test points for each pin and an onboard bypass cap. They should be arriving in a week or so. I'l letcha know how well they work out. Should anyone need some, let me know: bard-designs. com.

Thanks, Kevin

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INA4235: BGA only?