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What is Enhanced Plastic?
National's Enhanced Plastic devices are catalog products, released with an extended temperature range, along with the additional availability of qualification / reliability data, configuration control, PCN, and solder lead finish.
Why is National releasing this product category now?
National is responding to the needs identified by its customers.
Does this lessen National's commitment to the military market?
No. The military market has specifically requested EP product. It is National's commitment to the military market that has caused it to make EP product available.
Will the release of this product family reduce the availability of new military hermetic device types or cause National to discontinue existing military grade parts?
No, product is discontinued due to lack of business for a given device type. EP products will allow National to get more products out to the military market (faster), and then, based on adoption and communicated needs of our customer base, National can release an hermetic version at a later date.
I thought National's position on plastic parts was that they were not suitable for military applications. Is this true?
The customer has the responsibility to determine if plastic parts are suitable in their application. National's position was that it could not guarantee performance in applications that required performance that exceeded the temperature range and electrical min/max limits specificed in published datasheets.
Are these satellite-grade products?
The end-use environment must be qualified by the end customer.
I am currently using COTS parts. What is the advantage in switching to Enhanced Plastics?
- Controlled baseline (one assembly / test site, one wafer fabrication site)
- Extended temperature performance (specific temperature ranges are stated on the datasheets and may be as great as -55°C to +125°C)
- Qualification data
- Customer notification of major changes: process, materials, electrical performance, lead finish, mold compound and manufacturing location
- Assurance from National that the device will perform to datasheet electrical specifications in environments that require extended temperatures
- Tin-Lead lead finish is standard
Is the package enhanced or better than COTS?
The package is characterized for its inherent properties over the temperature range of the device to assure that the package can handle the temperature. In most cases, the package is not changed.
I am not a military or aerospace OEM. Would using these parts benefit me?
Yes, if you value extended temperature and baseline control.
Why can't I just buy standard automotive grade parts and get the same thing?
Two reasons. First, the functions necessary for the automotive market don't necessarily meet your end application needs. Second, to ensure change notification and extended baseline support, automotive OEMs procure to specific customer specifications. The typical OEM user of an EP device does not order sufficient quantities of any one device type to support this business model. However, when considered in aggregate as a single "virtual" EP customer, these users are afforded most of the benefits generally reserved for large volume automotive OEMs.
Aren't all of National's plastic parts the same (die and package)?
In many cases, the mold compounds or die may be different depending on where wafer fabrication or assembly / test is being performed. Devices may be built in as many as three wafer fabrication facilities and three assembly / test sites at any given time. Enhanced Plastics are baselined to a single wafer fabrication facility and single assembly / test site.
Aren't you just upscreening in-house?
No. Third party test houses do not have adequate insight into the design rules or necessary testing knowledge of complex devices. National does. There are many areas of device design, including the package materials which must be taken into account prior to offering extended temperature.
How does EP save me money over in-house or third party upscreening or uprating?
In most case, the purchase of EP product allows the customer to avoid the charges incurred with upscreening. National is best able to provide the lowest total cost of ownership.
What makes your testing and qualification better than that of a third party?
For EP products, testing is warranted to meet National's EP datasheet over the specified temperature range. Device characterization and statistical process controls are used to ensure performance over the specified temperature range. Assembly, test and qualification changes require review of the approval to the Technical Review Board (TRB)
I am having issues with lead-free finishes. Will EP devices solve this problem?
EP devices will have a standard lead finish of Tin-Lead.
How do I get samples of EP devices?
If samples are available, they can be procured by going to the device specific product folder and clicking on "Samples and Pricing". Click on the NSID in the Current Product Listing of the device of interest.
Where and how do I buy EP devices?
EP devices can be procured via the standard procurement method your company uses to buy any other National Semiconductor device.
What is the lead-time?
Standard lead-time will be in line with the commercial offering for released products. There will be additional qualification lead-time for unreleased products.
What temperature range is available?
Parts will be available to the highest temperature range allowable based on package design and electrical performance. This may be as great as -55°C to +125°C
Will all National part types be available in enhanced plastic (EP)?
The EP product portfolio will be customer driven.
How do I get enhanced plastic versions of a device that is not on your current product list?
Click here to email National. Be sure to include Company Information, contact information, product & package of interest, production quantities for years 1 - 6, proto delivery date, production start date, and any other comments that would help us respond fully to the request.
What is the cost compared to COTS?
It depends on the product.
We know hermetic packaging is required in some applications. How do I request a new part type in a hermetic package?
Click here to email National. Be sure to include Company Information, contact information, product & package of interest, production quantities for years 1 - 6, proto delivery date, production start date, and any other comments that would help us respond fully to the request.
Will you supply EP products to customer prints?
At this time, the only way to make these parts feasible is to offer a catalog part that can be used by multiple customers.
Is there a minimum order quantity?
Minimum order quantities are based on the standard pack quantity for a given device. See device specific product folder information by clicking on the NSID of the Current Product Listing.
How are the parts marked? How would I order?
In most cases, parts are marked with the standard National part number with an ε at the end to designate Enhanced Plastic. The part may be ordered using the VID or NSID, both are listed in the Current Product Listing.
Where can I find out up-to-date information on all released and planned EP products?
At our website. (www.national.com/analog/milaero/ep_overview)
What is the process and test flow?
Testing and screening of EP products is performed in accordance with the National datasheet for that device. National processes EP products per "best commercial practices" and National's internal baseline flow. Processing and screening is internally documented and in compliance with ISO9001. Configuration control is performed by National Semiconductor.
What is a qualification pedigree?
Qualification pedigree is verification that the products received extended testing and rigorous qualification / characterization from National Semiconductor's Enhanced Solutions Product Group.
What do you do to qualify these parts and what type of reliability monitors do you perform?
EP devices are qualified in accordance with National Semiconductor Quality System Standards. Reliability monitors are performed on a regular basis and include EFR / life test, temperature cycle, autoclave, Temperature Humidity Bias Test (THBT). National's Quality Systems are based on accepted JEDEC and EIA standards for the test methods used. In the event a monitor discloses a device quality or reliability issue then notifications and corrective actions will be issued in accordance with National's policies.
How do you ensure a package is reliable over extended temperatures?
Package qualification is performed at the extended temperatures with knowledge of the package element concerns such as glass transition temperature, thermal expansion coefficients, etc. taken into account.
Are these DSCC approved?
EP parts are qualified to National Semiconductors' Enhanced Solutions Product standards and supplied to a stand-alone datasheet. DSCC has created VIDs (Vendor Item Drawing) to provide a procurement vehicle for this type of product. Click here for more information.
Are these qualified and approved for all military applications?
The decision to use plastic components in applications where hermetic devices were traditionally used is at the sole discretion of the end user.
Are these parts built in the same factory as the COTS version?
These parts will be manufactured in the facility that is most appropriate to the product line. This may or may not be the same factory as the COTS version.
How do I get quality and reliability data?
Click here to email a request for device specific qualification data for a currently released EP device.
Click here for generic reliability data for all processes and packages. If you go to the appropriate product folder (by clicking on the NSID in the Current Product Listing), you can obtain process specific information for the device of interest.
Do I need to run my own qualification?
All parts should be qualified for their end-use environment,.
Do I need to qualify or perform lot acceptance of future shipments?
Buying warranted EP parts with enhanced PCN may allow customers to reduce or eliminate incoming or inline acceptance processing.
Will you perform customer qualifications, processing or special testing for me?
No, since EP parts are a catalog offering with EP qualification requirements. This allows National to pass cost savings onto its customers.
Do I get a Certificate of Conformance (CofC)? What will you issue a CofC against?
Yes. The CofC is to the EP datasheet.
How will you handle change notification and obsolescence issues?
For EP devices, National will provide change notification via National's PCN system if a change has the potential to affect form, fit, function, or reliability. In other words, changes to the baseline will be communicated prior to implementation. Distributors will be independently notified to facilitate notification of their customers. To place your name on the notification list click here.
In the event that a proposed change does affect form, fit, function, or reliability, National will take steps to minimize the impact on the customer. This may include continuing production of the established baseline after commercial production has changed, establishing a wafer bank of the current die revision, and/or offering a lifetime buy on the configuration in question.
Please note that change notification does not imply change approval on the part of the end customer.
How do I get design-in support? Application support? Failure analysis?
Contact Support . (http://www.national.com/support/)
Can I get characterization data for the parts?
Characterization data beyond what is provided in the datasheet is considered proprietary.
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