MMWCAS-RF-EVM: Antenna oxidation and part of board surface fallen off

Feifei Lv

Part Number: MMWCAS-RF-EVM

We purchased the MMWCAS-RF-EVM development board produced by TI Company. We got the goods on August 24th. When we opened the box, we found that the surface of the board had been seriously oxidized and turned black, especially the antenna part had become black, and even part of the silver-plated module had partially fallen asleep off (marked by the red circle in the following picture).
May I ask the TI staff:

1. If the RF board surface is seriously oxidized, especially the antenna part is oxidized and turns black, will the RF board performance and antenna performance parameters be affected? For example: radar signal to noise ratio, antenna standing wave ratio and gain parameters?

2. Part of the silver-plated module of one RF board falls off after serious oxidation (marked by the red circle in the figure). Does this place seriously affect the normal operation of the board?

3. How should we return or exchange the goods? What is the after sale return and exchange process of RF board?

Please deal with this problem as soon as possible and contact us. Thank you very much!

over 2 years ago

0 E. Shareef over 2 years ago

TI__Genius 12240 points

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out to Texas Instruments. A team member will assist you shortly.

-Shareef

0 Feifei Lv over 2 years ago in reply to E. Shareef

Prodigy 10 points

Thank you very much. We hope to exchange the problematic EVMs for brand new products as soon as possible.

0 Sami Mardini over 2 years ago in reply to Feifei Lv

TI__Expert 4010 points

Hi Feifel,

All our EVMs have been developed with immersion silver surface finish. Prolonged exposure to air causes silver to oxidize however it shouldn't degrade the RF performance.

Please refer to the "Choosing Circuit Materials for Millimeter Wave Applications" article written by Rogers. There is extensive study conducted by the Rogers and even with 2.5 Years of ageing it did not show significant degradation.

https://highfrequencyelectronics.com/Archives/Jul13/1307_HFE_CircuitMaterials.pdf

Regards,

Sami

0 Feifei Lv over 2 years ago in reply to Sami Mardini

Prodigy 10 points

Hi Sami,

Thank you for your reply.

EVMS surface serious oxidation even if do not affect the performance of the radio, will cause risks that we aren’t allowed to deliver in the mid to late stages of the study. What we paid for are brand new products. However, the boards we get now as shown in the picture, oxidation, and even part of surface has fallen off (red circle), just like a second-hand product. What’s more, the severe oxidation around RF chips can cause open circuits or disconnected wires. All of these bring us unacceptable risks. I hope you can return and exchange the new products as soon as possible.

Regards,

Feifei

0 Sami Mardini over 2 years ago in reply to Feifei Lv

TI__Expert 4010 points

Hi Feifel,

Sorry for the late response. Let me check my team on how to handle returns and I will get back to you today.

Regards,

Sami

0 Sami Mardini over 2 years ago in reply to Sami Mardini

TI__Expert 4010 points

Hi Feifel,

How did you purchase the EVM?

Regards,
Sami

+1 Sami Mardini over 2 years ago in reply to Sami Mardini

TI__Expert 4010 points

Hi Feifel,

You can return the EVM thru customer support team from TI where they have purchased (Assuming you have purchased from TI-estore). If you have purchased from distributor, then you have to work with the distributor.

Regards,
Sami

0 Feifei Lv over 2 years ago in reply to Sami Mardini

Prodigy 10 points

Hi Sami,

Thank you for your reply. I purchased from a distributor. I have contacted with our distributor.

Regards,

Feifei

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MMWCAS-RF-EVM: Antenna oxidation and part of board surface fallen off