AVR-Chat

I love AVR processors.  Unfortunately, there seems to be a shortage of parts.  
This is frustrating!  Should we stop developing using AVR?  I can't imagine what I would do if I needed parts for production.

I don't like PIC ( I don't know why... but just don't).  Still, I'm thinking maybe I should change over to them.

Which parts are you having problems getting?
And, where are you trying to purchase them?
Thirdly, where are you?

Jim Wagner
Oregon Research Electronics

On Sep 25, 2010, at 1:59 AM, englsprogeny1 wrote:

> I love AVR processors. Unfortunately, there seems to be a shortage  
> of parts.
> This is frustrating! Should we stop developing using AVR? I can't  
> imagine what I would do if I needed parts for production.
>
> I don't like PIC ( I don't know why... but just don't). Still, I'm  
> thinking maybe I should change over to them.
>
>
> 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On 2010-09-25 08:59, englsprogeny1 wrote:
> I love AVR processors.  Unfortunately, there seems to be a shortage of parts.
> This is frustrating!  Should we stop developing using AVR?  I can't imagine what I would do if I needed parts for production.

I can only think of two reasons:
[1] Atmel does not have a very high production capacity.
[2] Someone has engineered them into some really high-volume products 
and they are "on allocation".  (is that the excuse you're getting?)

> I don't like PIC ( I don't know why... but just don't).  Still, I'm thinking maybe I should change over to them.

Unbelievably baroque architecture from the 1960s/1970s.  Rumour has it 
that the original "PIC" was a "Peripheral Interface Controller" (that 
General Instruments, later Microchip, bought rights to) for some 
mainframe computer.  Going by the published instruction set, I think 
it was originally designed to be built as cheap as possible with a 
minimum gate count - gates in those days were either discrete 
components or small-scale ICs (like 7400s and the like).

-- fireweaver

At 07:59 PM 25/09/2010, you wrote:
>Unfortunately, there seems to be a shortage of parts.

This has been the case not just with Atmel but with
many suppliers for about 1 year. Things are getting better now.

Which parts can't you get?

Regards

John Samperi

********************************************************
Ampertronics Pty. Ltd.
11 Brokenwood Place Baulkham Hills, NSW 2153 AUSTRALIA
Tel. (02) 9674-6495       Fax (02) 9674-8745
Website  http://www.ampertronics.com.au
*Electronic Design * Custom Products * Contract Assembly
********************************************************

On 25/09/2010 09:59, englsprogeny1 wrote:
> I love AVR processors.  Unfortunately, there seems to be a shortage of parts.
> This is frustrating!  Should we stop developing using AVR?  I can't imagine what I would do if I needed parts for production.
>
> I don't like PIC ( I don't know why... but just don't).  Still, I'm thinking maybe I should change over to them.

The shortage is caused by Atmel's fabless business strategy, they are 
having to queue up with everyone else to get their chips made by people 
like TSMC. Microchip makes all their own chips, apart from the PIC32.

The 16-bit PICs have a very nice architecture (better than the AVR), if 
you don't like the traditional 16F and 18F parts. Even Microchip is 
having trouble keeping up with demand, though, if you need large 
quantities.Leon


-- 
Leon Heller
G1HSM

On 06/10/2010 04:52, erikc wrote:

> Unbelievably baroque architecture from the 1960s/1970s.  Rumour has it
> that the original "PIC" was a "Peripheral Interface Controller" (that
> General Instruments, later Microchip, bought rights to) for some
> mainframe computer.  Going by the published instruction set, I think
> it was originally designed to be built as cheap as possible with a
> minimum gate count - gates in those days were either discrete
> components or small-scale ICs (like 7400s and the like).


It was in fact designed as a peripheral chip for their 16-bit 
microprocessor.

Leon
-- 
Leon Heller
G1HSM

--- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com, "Steve Hodge" <steve@...> wrote:
> I sure can't find Atmega328P's in stock anywhere
>(in TQFP package).
The Atmel stock checker shows that Arrow has over 1000 in stock.
http://www.stkcheck.com/evs/atmel/atmelheader2.asp?mfg=atmel&part=ATmega328P

Also, you can sometimes find listings on eBay although at the moment, I see listings only for the mega328P PDIP (some with the Arduino bootloader).  I usually have enough stock on hand of both the TQFP and PDIP packages that I can spare a few for someone that is desperate.

Don Kinzer
ZBasic Microcontrollers
http://www.zbasic.net

--- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com, Leon Heller <leon355@...> wrote:
> They don't seem to be actually available, if you go to
>the Arrow web site.
I saw that but then I logged in and they showed 1,076 pieces.  Note that they list both ATmega328P-20AU and ATmega328P-AU.  The latter is the correct Atmel part number and it is that for which they show 1,076 pieces in stock.

I requested a quote for 50 and the email quote I received indicates 60 weeks delivery time.  I sent a reply asking why since they show stock available.  No response yet.

Don Kinzer
ZBasic Microcontrollers
http://www.zbasic.net

I don't know about the OP but I sure can't find Atmega328P's in stock
anywhere (in TQFP package).   Steve

From: AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com [mailto:AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of John Samperi
Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2010 8:54 PM
To: AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [AVR-Chat] Shortage of parts

 

  

At 07:59 PM 25/09/2010, you wrote:
>Unfortunately, there seems to be a shortage of parts.

This has been the case not just with Atmel but with
many suppliers for about 1 year. Things are getting better now.

Which parts can't you get?

Regards

John Samperi

********************************************************
Ampertronics Pty. Ltd.
11 Brokenwood Place Baulkham Hills, NSW 2153 AUSTRALIA
Tel. (02) 9674-6495 Fax (02) 9674-8745
Website http://www.ampertronics.com.au
*Electronic Design * Custom Products * Contract Assembly
********************************************************





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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On 06/10/2010 19:07, Steve Hodge wrote:
> I don't know about the OP but I sure can't find Atmega328P's in stock
> anywhere (in TQFP package).   Steve


They are virtually unobtainable in any package. Farnell/Newark have some 
ATMEGA328P-PU chips, but that seems to be all there are.

Leon
-- 
Leon Heller
G1HSM

--- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com, Leon Heller <leon355@...> wrote:
> They are virtually unobtainable in any package.
Farnell indicates that they have 113 TQFP parts in their Asian warehouse but I don't see a way to order them.  I sent Farnell an email asking about this.  The price, quoted in pounds, is about what I'd expect to pay in dollars so they're very expensive.

Online Components (http://www.onlinecomponents.com) indicates that they have 1,076 on hand.  I ordered some from them so they will actually have fewer than that now.  The price is a bit higher than Digi-Key et al but that is better than no parts at all.

Don Kinzer
ZBasic Microcontrollers
http://www.zbasic.net

On 06/10/2010 19:33, Don Kinzer wrote:
>
>
> --- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com, "Steve Hodge"<steve@...>  wrote:
>> I sure can't find Atmega328P's in stock anywhere
>> (in TQFP package).
> The Atmel stock checker shows that Arrow has over 1000 in stock.
> http://www.stkcheck.com/evs/atmel/atmelheader2.asp?mfg=atmel&part=ATmega328P

They don't seem to be actually available, if you go to the Arrow web site.

Leon
-- 
Leon Heller
G1HSM

--- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com, "Steve Hodge" <steve@...> wrote:
> Thanks for the lead on online components.
Another source to keep on your list is AIR Electronics in Germany (http://www.trade-shop.de/catalog/).  They don't have any mega328P in stock now.  I have, however, purchased mega644 chips from them when I couldn't find them anywhere else.  At the time, the price including shipping wasn't much higher than the highest of my regular sources.  I was happy to get *any* chips at the time and would have gladly paid even more.

Don Kinzer
ZBasic Microcontrollers
http://www.zbasic.net

Thanks for the lead on online components.  They have even fewer in stock
now.   I always forget to  look separately at online.  They don't seem to
ever show up in FindChips, etc.   Steve

From: AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com [mailto:AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of Don Kinzer
Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2010 1:59 PM
To: AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [AVR-Chat] Re: Shortage of parts

 

  

--- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com <mailto:AVR-Chat%40yahoogroups.com> , Leon
Heller <leon355@...> wrote:
> They are virtually unobtainable in any package.
Farnell indicates that they have 113 TQFP parts in their Asian warehouse but
I don't see a way to order them. I sent Farnell an email asking about this.
The price, quoted in pounds, is about what I'd expect to pay in dollars so
they're very expensive.

Online Components (http://www.onlinecomponents.com) indicates that they have
1,076 on hand. I ordered some from them so they will actually have fewer
than that now. The price is a bit higher than Digi-Key et al but that is
better than no parts at all.

Don Kinzer
ZBasic Microcontrollers





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Great, thanks for that tip too.

From: AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com [mailto:AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of Don Kinzer
Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2010 4:57 PM
To: AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [AVR-Chat] Re: Shortage of parts

 

  

--- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com <mailto:AVR-Chat%40yahoogroups.com> , "Steve
Hodge" <steve@...> wrote:
> Thanks for the lead on online components.
Another source to keep on your list is AIR Electronics in Germany
(http://www.trade-shop.de/catalog/). They don't have any mega328P in stock
now. I have, however, purchased mega644 chips from them when I couldn't find
them anywhere else. At the time, the price including shipping wasn't much
higher than the highest of my regular sources. I was happy to get *any*
chips at the time and would have gladly paid even more.

Don Kinzer
ZBasic Microcontrollers
http://www.zbasic.net





__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature
database 5510 (20101006) __________

The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.

http://www.eset.com

 

__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature
database 5510 (20101006) __________

 

The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.

 

http://www.eset.com



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On Wed, Oct 6, 2010 at 7:17 AM, Leon Heller <leon355@btinternet.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> On 06/10/2010 04:52, erikc wrote:
>
> > Unbelievably baroque architecture from the 1960s/1970s. Rumour has it
> > that the original "PIC" was a "Peripheral Interface Controller" (that
> > General Instruments, later Microchip, bought rights to) for some
> > mainframe computer. Going by the published instruction set, I think
> > it was originally designed to be built as cheap as possible with a
> > minimum gate count - gates in those days were either discrete
> > components or small-scale ICs (like 7400s and the like).
>
> It was in fact designed as a peripheral chip for their 16-bit
> microprocessor.

In ~1982?   The 1982 GI book I have here says, on page 4-62:

 "Intelligent controller for stand-alone applications" for second bullet point.

"The PIC can be used to scan keyboards, drive displays control
electronic games and provide enhanced capabilities to power tools,
telecommunications systems, radios, television, consumer appliances,
industrial timing and control applications."


--
http://blog.softwaresafety.net/
http://www.designer-iii.com/
http://www.wearablesmartsensors.com/

>> > Unbelievably baroque architecture from the 1960s/1970s.

"Baroque" as in a funny way to spell "Broke"?

:)

Procrustean is a term I've used for it, though that doesn't quite fit either.

Well I thought they would have even fewer in stock because I had ordered
some.  However, I just rec'd this email from them:

 

"Steve, We have received an order ahead of yours for item # ATMEGA328P-AU,
we are sold out.

We are unable to keep them on order as we are not franchised with the
factory.  Thank you"

 

From 1076 to 0 in 24 hours.   Looks like things are drying up pretty fast.


 

Back to the drawing board.

 

Steve

From: AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com [mailto:AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of Steve Hodge
Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2010 4:28 PM
To: AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [AVR-Chat] Re: Shortage of parts

 

  

Thanks for the lead on online components. They have even fewer in stock
now. I always forget to look separately at online. They don't seem to
ever show up in FindChips, etc. Steve

From: AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com <mailto:AVR-Chat%40yahoogroups.com>
[mailto:AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com <mailto:AVR-Chat%40yahoogroups.com> ] On
Behalf
Of Don Kinzer
Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2010 1:59 PM
To: AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com <mailto:AVR-Chat%40yahoogroups.com> 
Subject: [AVR-Chat] Re: Shortage of parts

--- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com <mailto:AVR-Chat%40yahoogroups.com>
<mailto:AVR-Chat%40yahoogroups.com> , Leon
Heller <leon355@...> wrote:
> They are virtually unobtainable in any package.
Farnell indicates that they have 113 TQFP parts in their Asian warehouse but
I don't see a way to order them. I sent Farnell an email asking about this.
The price, quoted in pounds, is about what I'd expect to pay in dollars so
they're very expensive.

Online Components (http://www.onlinecomponents.com) indicates that they have
1,076 on hand. I ordered some from them so they will actually have fewer
than that now. The price is a bit higher than Digi-Key et al but that is
better than no parts at all.

Don Kinzer
ZBasic Microcontrollers

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]





__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature
database 5510 (20101006) __________

The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.

http://www.eset.com

 

__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature
database 5510 (20101006) __________

 

The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.

 

http://www.eset.com

 

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database 5513 (20101007) __________

 

The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.

 

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

ATMEGA168 (all 28pin DIP models) seem to have dried up as well.  Sucks for me! 88's are still around, how much more can I optimize my code?

--- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com, "Steve Hodge" <steve@...> wrote:

>
> Well I thought they would have even fewer in stock because I had ordered
> some.  However, I just rec'd this email from them:
> 
>  
> 
> "Steve, We have received an order ahead of yours for item # ATMEGA328P-AU,
> we are sold out.
> 
> We are unable to keep them on order as we are not franchised with the
> factory.  Thank you"
> 
>  
> 
> From 1076 to 0 in 24 hours.   Looks like things are drying up pretty fast.
> 
> 
>  
> 
> Back to the drawing board.
> 
>  
> 
> Steve
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> From: AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com [mailto:AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
> Of Steve Hodge
> Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2010 4:28 PM
> To: AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: RE: [AVR-Chat] Re: Shortage of parts
> 
>  
> 
>   
> 
> Thanks for the lead on online components. They have even fewer in stock
> now. I always forget to look separately at online. They don't seem to
> ever show up in FindChips, etc. Steve
> 
> From: AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com <mailto:AVR-Chat%40yahoogroups.com>
> [mailto:AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com <mailto:AVR-Chat%40yahoogroups.com> ] On
> Behalf
> Of Don Kinzer
> Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2010 1:59 PM
> To: AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com <mailto:AVR-Chat%40yahoogroups.com> 
> Subject: [AVR-Chat] Re: Shortage of parts
> 
> --- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com <mailto:AVR-Chat%40yahoogroups.com>
> <mailto:AVR-Chat%40yahoogroups.com> , Leon
> Heller <leon355@> wrote:
> > They are virtually unobtainable in any package.
> Farnell indicates that they have 113 TQFP parts in their Asian warehouse but
> I don't see a way to order them. I sent Farnell an email asking about this.
> The price, quoted in pounds, is about what I'd expect to pay in dollars so
> they're very expensive.
> 
> Online Components (http://www.onlinecomponents.com) indicates that they have
> 1,076 on hand. I ordered some from them so they will actually have fewer
> than that now. The price is a bit higher than Digi-Key et al but that is
> better than no parts at all.
> 
> Don Kinzer
> ZBasic Microcontrollers
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature
> database 5510 (20101006) __________
> 
> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
> 
> http://www.eset.com
> 
>  
> 
> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature
> database 5510 (20101006) __________
> 
>  
> 
> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
> 
>  
> 
> http://www.eset.com
> 
>  
> 
> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature
> database 5513 (20101007) __________
> 
>  
> 
> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
> 
>  
> 
> http://www.eset.com
> 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

--- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com, "Terrance" <evilterrance@...> wrote:
>ATMEGA168 (all 28pin DIP models) seem to have dried up as well.
Mouser has over 2600 pieces in stock of the ATmega168P-PU.  This is a direct replacement for the ATmega168-20PU.  When you're searching for parts, also look for the ATmega168PA-PU.  And, if your design runs at 10MHz or less, you could use the ATmega168PV-10PU.

NuHorizons has 327 of the ATmega168P-PU in stock.
  
As an alternative, SparkFun has over 1500 ATmega328P-PU in stock (p/n COM-09061).

The HVW website (http://www.hvwtech.com) indicates that they have the ATmega168 in stock but I can't tell how many they have; ditto for the ATmega328.

Don Kinzer
ZBasic Microcontrollers
http://www.zbasic.net

--- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com, "Steve Hodge" <steve@...> wrote:
>>ditto for the ATmega328.
> But it looks like only in DIP package.
Correct.  That response was in reply to Terrance who was looking for the mega168 in the DIP-20 package.

>I'm still looking for it in -AU package.
How many do you need?  I sent you a PM on the topic.

Don Kinzer
ZBasic Microcontrollers
http://www.zbasic.net

>. ditto for the ATmega328.

But it looks like only in DIP package.  I'm still looking for it in -AU
package.  My searching over the past few days seems to indicate that DIP
packages of various uC's are more readily available than SMT, presumably
because they are less in demand.

Steve

Don Kinzer
ZBasic Microcontrollers
http://www.zbasic.net

 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

AVR's can be purchased (if you can find the specific one you are looking for). Unfortunately, the price has significantly jumped.  I remember buying a lot of ATMEGA8s about two years ago on Ebay where the effective cost (after shipping and handling) was $1.50 per processor!!!!  

Now it will cost (effectively (after shipping) )between $5 and $10 per ATMEGA8.  This is absurd.  Newark, Mouser, Allied all have the same price!  It used to be that $10 would get you at ATMEGA128.  They've even gone up in price!  

What if you are in production and need to have your ATMEGA8 available and for a reasonable price?


I love AVR but am feeling frustrated.





--- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com, "Steve Hodge" <steve@...> wrote:

>
> >. ditto for the ATmega328.
> 
> But it looks like only in DIP package.  I'm still looking for it in -AU
> package.  My searching over the past few days seems to indicate that DIP
> packages of various uC's are more readily available than SMT, presumably
> because they are less in demand.
> 
> Steve
> 
> Don Kinzer
> ZBasic Microcontrollers
> http://www.zbasic.net
> 
>  
> 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

On 10/9/2010 10:46 AM, englsprogeny1 wrote:
>I
> remember buying a lot of ATMEGA8s about two years ago on Ebay where
> the effective cost (after shipping and handling) was $1.50 per
> processor!!!!
>
> Now it will cost (effectively (after shipping) )between $5 and $10
> per ATMEGA8.  This is absurd.  Newark, Mouser, Allied all have the
> same price!  It used to be that $10 would get you at ATMEGA128.
> They've even gone up in price!
>
> What if you are in production and need to have your ATMEGA8 available
> and for a reasonable price?

You're buying production parts off of Ebay?

Sounds like a company to avoid.

Robert


-- 
http://www.aeolusdevelopment.com/

  From the Divided by a Common Language File (Edited to protect the guilty)
ME - "I'd like to get Price and delivery for connector Part # XXXXX"
Dist./Rep - "$X.XX Lead time 37 days"
ME - "Anything we can do about lead time?  37 days seems a bit high."
Dist./Rep - "that is the lead time given because our stock is live....
we currently have stock."

Thanks Don, that should keep me supplied until my usual sources are back.

--- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com, "Don Kinzer" <dkinzer@...> wrote:

>
> --- In AVR-Chat@yahoogroups.com, "Terrance" <evilterrance@> wrote:
> >ATMEGA168 (all 28pin DIP models) seem to have dried up as well.
> Mouser has over 2600 pieces in stock of the ATmega168P-PU.  This is a direct replacement for the ATmega168-20PU.  When you're searching for parts, also look for the ATmega168PA-PU.  And, if your design runs at 10MHz or less, you could use the ATmega168PV-10PU.
> 
> NuHorizons has 327 of the ATmega168P-PU in stock.
>   
> As an alternative, SparkFun has over 1500 ATmega328P-PU in stock (p/n COM-09061).
> 
> The HVW website (http://www.hvwtech.com) indicates that they have the ATmega168 in stock but I can't tell how many they have; ditto for the ATmega328.
> 
> Don Kinzer
> ZBasic Microcontrollers
> http://www.zbasic.net
>