A presentation detailing an example of case studies and projects design and manufactured by Winslow Adaptics Ltd. Consider the possibility of combating obsolescence with a form fit and function replacement, designed specifically for your application.

1. Semiconductor / Connector obsolescence and
leadtime solutions
Jonathan Warfield
Product Development Manager
jon@winslowadaptics.com
sales@winslowadaptics.com
Tel: (+44) 1874 625555
Fax: (+44) 1874 625500

2. Innovative Solutions to Semiconductor
Obsolescence and Leadtime Issues
Footprint Convertors ASIC Replacement FPGA Retargeting
Standard Test Solutions Custom Test Solutions

3. Footprint Convertors
Any termination / package style can be converted into another desired footprint
e.g. SMT to thru hole
Form, Fit and Function replacement either with a like for like component, or a small assembly to
achieve the same results
The adapter program can be used to assist leadtime issues, obsolescence issues – low volume to
full production quantities are both widely accepted

4. Example - Footprint Convertors
If available, components from the same device family can be
converted to another package very easily.
The temperature range will be kept the same, and as standard
the footprint will not exceed the original device dimensions.
8 pin DIL unavailable? 8 pin SO available?
= Standard product

5. Footprint Convertors – Case Study
A large industrial manufacturing customer
contacted Winslow Adaptics, as an On Semi
device went out on allocation. The customer
required a quantity of 15k per week to supply
their manufacturing requirements.
The original DIL package variant was pushed out
to 24-week leadtime , and the customer was
about to go on line stop. So required something
as a ‘stop gap’ and were not prepared to source
from the grey market.
The device was a NCP1200 – Switch mode power
supply.

6. Footprint Convertors – Case Study
The surface mount equivalent was freely
available and it was quickly established that
functionally these parts could be utilised.
It was agreed that the surface mount SO8
devices, were to be free issued to Winslow
and mounted on to an adapter assembly.
The finished assemblies were to be supplied
on anti-static foam and packaged to the
customers specific specification.

7. Footprint Convertors – Case Study
Winslow proposed an initial 4-wk leadtime to cover material, component and
manufacturing leadtimes, with drops of 15k per week to follow.
All this was built and delivered for less than $0.50 per assembly, this also matched
the original DIL package component pricing.
Essentially the end customer was pleased that production continued through,
until the correct package became available. This was after 150,000 adapters had
been built, packed and shipped to the customer.

8. An enquiry was received from a large
telecommunications OEM.
The device was a TIL311 – Hexadecimal display
and was used across a number of the
customers product range.
The option of a life time buy was available, but
due to cost implications the customer was
looking for a more cost effective solution.
Semiconductor Obsolescence - Case Study

9. The device datasheet was reviewed and it was
decided that the original device would be
recreated by using 22 x 0402 size LEDs, a small
microcontroller and numerous discreet
components.
Code was written to programme the
microcontroller which was to the customers
requirement and specification.
The customer only required 2000 / 3000 to
cover the remaining expected life of the
project, which also included maintenance.
Semiconductor Obsolescence - Case Study

10. The customer produced a schematic and asked us to design accordingly. The customer
also requested test points to be added to the PCB design.
The design was completed, the manufacturing specification was agreed and
production began.
The samples were built and shipped as per the specification, but the customer had an
issue. They found that the LEDs that had been selected were brighter than the original
and the solution was quite simple, it required resistor value changes – it was noted
that LED technology had improved considerably over the past 20 years!
Semiconductor Obsolescence - Case Study

11. Application Specific Adapters
Application specific integrated circuit
adapters are more customized for a
particular use than the footprint convertors.
The IC’s themselves have been altered to
perform a specific function within the
customer circuit. The functionality is
required to be known, before this can be
recreated.
When these types of device go obsolete, it
can be a major customer issue. What
Winslow can produce is a bridge, to either
provide short term solution, or something
that can be used to future proof the design.

12. Application Specific – Case Study
A defence company contacted Winslow Adaptics with a issue they were having with a
particular ASIC device.
Winslow were requested to manufacture an alternative to this ASIC and were given a
component list and schematic to recreate the ASIC functionality.
The task was to fit all of the replacement devices into the original ASIC footprint, and
to deliver something that was the functional equivalent.

13. Application Specific – Case Study
Before a quotation can be produced, the design will need to be looked at carefully for
space available for component footprints, and ultimately complete size of the adapter
board. The components were also to be procured and mounted by Winslow, so reel
sizes were also taken into account.
Winslow review all of this information, but also make recommendations to use
smaller components where possible – this makes the PCB design easier and ultimately
cheaper for the customer.

14. Application Specific – Case Study
The original component was a QFP (quad flat pack) package, so the adapter was
required to be surface mount. In this instance we designed the adapter using edge
castellations – this was due to the volume of the requirement and the overall size.
Altogether, we have shipped over 5,000 of this product to the customer. There is still
a requirement 4-years on and we are about to manufacture another 1k pieces.

15. FPGA Retargeting
FPGA retargeting is a relatively new concept to
Winslow Adaptics, but has been proved to be a cost
effective solution to the customer base.
It involves taking the architecture of an old FPGA and
transferring this data to a newer modern FPGA. This
again future-proofs the customers design and is classed
as an upgrade.
As FPGAs become more common, the technology will
advance and so older designs will be phased out of
production, leaving customers with decisions to make.
Winslow’s transition can assist with the upgrade, but
also keep the customers existing PCB in production and
take away the re-design requirement.

16. FPGA Retargeting- Case Study
The issue arose when a ASIC replacement adapter that
had been manufactured by Winslow for over 15 years,
had a last time buy notice put on the ‘replacement’
FPGA. The customer was informed of the last time buy,
but decided against purchasing and holding stock due to
cost implications.
Instead it was decided that the FPGA used would be a
newer technology to upgrade the system and continue
use for future builds. The product was used across many
of the customers product lines.
The device in questions was a Xilinx Spartan device.

17. FPGA Retargeting- Case Study
The initial work to be undertaken was investigation, to see if the device data could be
transferred. All information was received by the customer and was dissected.
An alternative FPGA was found which required additional circuitry, mainly to reduce
the voltage levels as per the manufacturers recommended advice. The footprints
were layed out and pricing was offered for all steps of the conversion –
Code Recovery & FPGA selection
Re-generate code
Produce I/O compatibility circuitry
Hardware Modernisation

18. FPGA Retargeting- Case Study
The recreation of the FPGA was completed over 12
months, as Winslow had enough stock of the older
devices to cover the customers requirement.
Realistically, the project from start to finish could have
been completed in approx 25 weeks from start to
finish.
The samples were shipped to the customer for trials,
where after tinkering with the software and clock
speeds, made a perfect transition from the old FPGA
to the new FPGA.
The customer is now getting ready to place orders for
2k pieces of these parts per annum, which could
increase with their own customer requirements.

19. Test Solutions
Single Probe / Multi probe Test clips Cable Assemblies
Custom Test Fixtures

20. Termination Styles
SMT, Thru hole, spring probe?
PCB already designed?
We can design around the
environment.

21. Strange custom package?
Low Volumes?
Ideal for custom packages, obsolete
packages, or any custom.

22. Development products available
Connectors can be included as well as Cable assemblies and box builds.