[sdiy] ARM Cortex M4F chips with CODEC interfaces & DIY-friendly packages

[Robin Whittle]

I mentioned an ST chip in a UFQFPN48 package:

  http://www.st.com/web/catalog/mmc/FM141/SC1169/SS1577/LN1877/PF260148

because it had fewer pins than LQFP-64 packages - so I thought it might
be more DIY-friendly.  However, after looking at the data sheet, page
122, I think this is not the case.

As far as I know, 0.5mm LQFP packages could be soldered by hand, by
filling the area with solder and removing what is not needed with wick
or a desoldering tool.  I have never tried anything like this - can
anyone report success or otherwise?

However, the UFQFPN packages have no leads - just solder pads on the
inside edge of the bottom of the package, so there would need to be
solder paste put in place with a stencil, precise alignment, perfect
heating etc, and no chance for inspection or solder sucking if things
didn't work out well.

  - Robin