Resistors, Resistor chips, Resistor networks/strips

[banedon]

Hi guys

Can someone advise what (if any) are the benefits of using resistor networks & resistor chips over just resistors. Is it simply space saving/simplcity of design?  And should a strip or chip be used?

Examples:
Chip - http://uk.farnell.com/bourns/4814p-t01-472lf/resistor-network-4k7/dp/9357432
Strip - http://uk.farnell.com/bourns/4609x-101-472lf/resistor-network-9-pin-4k7-2/dp/9357025

Also, are there any downsides of using such devices?

Many thanks for any advice!

Mike

[ConKbot]

For the resistor networks, you can save on space, where you need a lot of resistors in of the same value in a small space, I.e. a 1206 sized network can have 4 resistors, and it lowers your part count for assembly, plus you don't need to break out the tiny tips for the pick and place like if you were using 0402's or 0201s.  Or the strip that you linked can provide a 4.7k pull up/down for an 8-bit bus with one device, so for automated assembly, the pick and place would just stuff that and be done, rather than having to pick, form, cut and stuff 8 separate through hole resistors.

The resistors in an IC package depend on the specs, but you can get some where there are matched pairs, or matched sets of resistors (I.e they may be within 1% of the nominal value, but match each other within 0.1%)   Or for thermal coupling, so that when one resistor heats up, and the resistance changes, the other ones mostly match.  This would be used more in a precision amplifier application.

[banedon]

Many thanks, ConKbot .
My next (2nd) project is trying to design an EEPROM programmer and so I need to use some pull up resistors for both the 8 bit data and 13 bit address buses and wondered if these would do the trick - it seems so .

Again, many thanks!

Mike

[Dr. Frank]

In SMD manufacturing, each pick 'n place action is calculated to cost 5 Cents, where the single components cost tenths of Cents and perhaps a few cents for the array.

Arrays of 4 (or 7-8) independent resistors are used in the PCB layout  for µC bus lines for EMC measures.

The other leaded array with a common connection is used for pull-up of transistor / driver arrays, but there is no convenient SMD counterpart.
That's a similar problem like SMD capacitor arrays with common ground.

Frank