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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I’ve been musing on the idea that nobody seems to be
using the FX2 as anything but a mindless USB engine. I personally would like to
see it used to provide a USB interface that follows the USB spec for Audio
Devices. I presume I’ll have to do that myself, but it’s slow going
so far. Anyway, the idea arose in my head that the 16KB of on-board RAM might
not be enough. So, for potential future use, I asked <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Cypress</st1:place></st1:City> for a sample of the 128-pin version
that allows off-chip RAM – strictly for my own amusement at this point.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>So, to the point: when the sample arrived, it was enclosed
in the most elaborate shipping package I have seen so far. The package is about
6.5” x 13” in a vacuum sealed aluminized bag with a big sticker
announcing that it contains a Level-3 Moisture Sensitive Device – Do Not
Open Except Under Controlled Conditions. The somewhat illegible text goes on to
say that the device should last a year if the bag is unopened and kept below
260C, but if reflow soldered or other high temperature process is used, it must
be done within 168 hours of opening if the weather ain’t right (not their
words) or baked or a bunch of other stuff. It also includes the interesting
information that the chip lived free for 4 hour and 20 minutes between
manufacturing and package sealing.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>From my quick Googling, this all seems to have been brought
on by the Pb-free initiatives and consequent higher soldering temperatures with
worries that steam production could damage the part. My question is:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> If
I use a soldering iron as we usually do, should I worry about all this?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Thanks.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> Chris
– AE6VK<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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