[sdiy] TI to EOL all parts made on GFBA6 process

[rsdio at audiobanshee.com]

Thanks for the warning.

It's not so bad, though.

The LM386MX is pin-compatible with the original LM386, although the specifications are not identical. Most designers don't even pay attention to all of the specifications, so I'm curious whether the differences are even significant to most modern designs. Aren't modern chips better?

The LP3943 is listed as having a similar functionality to the LM3915, although I haven't looked at the details. There is also the LP3944 for RoHS.

The LM497x0 are indeed going away, but Texas Instruments recommends the LM4562 as an alternative. Although the LM4562NA is going away, the LM4562MAX has the same pin-out and similar specifications.


I learned a few new tricks for converting a PDF into a spreadsheet, as well as some awk commands, so that I could calculate the following statistics from Texas Instruments announcement.

15% of the listed parts have an EXACT replacement with the same pin-out and specifications that will remain available, just not using the specific GFBA6 process.

Another 20% have a replacement with the same PIN-OUT, but variations in the specifications. That's a total of 35% that shouldn't really be missed if you can't design a new PCB.

10% of the parts have a replacement with the same functionality, but differing pin-out, and 25% have a replacement with similar functionality.

29% of the listed parts have no replacement (but I've already found a few that technically do have a recommended alternative on the main Texas Instruments web site that isn't in the PDF replacement column for some reason).

For folks that have Open Office, I've attached the spreadsheet (assuming attachments are allowed on this list)
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Brian


On Oct 16, 2015, at 6:49 PM, The Old Crow <oldcrow at oldcrows.net> wrote:
>   TI is retiring the GFBA6 process node.  Things like the LM386, LM3915, LM4562, LME497x0, LME498x0 and so on. All legacy NatSemi stuff it seems.
> 
>   Mouser has already marked various parts life-time buys.
> 
> http://www.proaudiodesignforum.com/images/pdf/ti_20150901004_09292015_eol.pdf
>