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THS4511-SP: Is a lower cost engineering model version available?

Part Number: THS4511-SP
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: THS4511, THS4513-SP

Hi

My customer is looking for an equivalent engineering model part for the THS4511-SP. (same package and functionality but not flight grade, lower cost).

Is one available?

Thanks,

Jim B

  • Hello Jim,

    The CFP HKT0016A package on those flight/space grade parts is unique to parts needing to meet the MIL-STD-1835 specification.  Other than the related THS4513-SP part (also flight/space grade), no other TI FDA is sold in that package.  The non-MIL spec equivalent part, the THS4511, operates with higher BW @ Acl (1600 MHz to the THS4511-SP's 1100 MHz) and slightly lower slew rate (4900 V/us compared to the SP variant having 5100 V/us), among other smaller performance differences.  You can operate either chip within the same supply voltage limits.  The major difference the customer faces is the THS4511 comes in a VQFN 16-pin package, which has a noticeably different footprint from the SP-variant.  The total area the VQFN package needs on a board is also considerably less than the CFP package.

    If the customer is willing to work with VQFN package, the THS4511 could be a great solution.  I am curious about the customer preferring the CFP package but not requiring the MIL-STD-1835 spec (and associated cost).  Please let me know if there are any considerations I did not address in my response.

    Best,

    Alec S.

  • Hi Alec

    Due to the cost of full flight qualified devices, many customers prefer to use an EM (engineering model) device for initial (EDU) engineering development unit builds. These builds are used to validate the basic circuit/performance, etc., but don't need to support radiation testing, full performance over temperature etc. The customers do prefer these EM parts to use the same die and package as the flight parts so that performance is equivalent.

    Many -SP products do have both flight parts and EM parts available for order, with substantial cost difference between these 2 versions. This enables customers to evaluate the parts at lower cost before doing builds for final evaluation/qualification/flight.

    If the customer needs 1 or 2 units for initial evaluation is it possible to get free samples of the flight orderable for that purpose?

    Best regards,

    Jim B

  • Hi Jim,

    Thanks for taking the time to help me better understand the customer situation.  I understand the reasoning behind the request now, it makes sense to not need the full SP-rated expensive part for initial testing.  I will look into this with my team and get back to you about the samples before the end of the week.

    I really do appreciate you taking the time to explain the perspective here, now I know better for future questions!

    Best Regards,

    Alec S