Author Topic: Source for cheap MCUs (Read 6120 times)

ataradov · « **on:** October 20, 2016, 04:10:37 am »

Is there a good source for cheap no brand MCUs?

I'm specifically looking for 8-16 pin devices in SOIC or TSSOP packages. Core architecture or memories do not matter that much, I need them for replacement of simple logic, so anything with 1K of Flash/ROM and 256 bytes of RAM will work. No special requirements for peripherals, GPIOs are bare minimum, even slow and low-res ADC would be a huge plus.

I'm looking for a price in the 10-30 cent range in quantity of 1000.

mariush · « **Reply #1 on:** October 20, 2016, 05:04:26 am »

It's not SOIC or TTSOP but you can handle QFN20 if you can handle the others.

EFM8BB10F2G-A-QFN20

$0.33 on Digikey : http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/silicon-labs/EFM8BB10F2G-A-QFN20/336-3162-5-ND/5115719
$0.28 on Farnell (£0.224) : http://uk.farnell.com/silicon-labs/efm8bb10f2g-a-qfn20/mcu-8bit-8051-25mhz-qfn-20/dp/2468077

The minimums of 1KB program size and 256 bytes of memory kind of restrict you.

ataradov · « **Reply #2 on:** October 20, 2016, 05:09:32 am »

Quote from: mariush on October 20, 2016, 05:04:26 am

It's not SOIC or TTSOP but you can handle QFN20 if you can handle the others.

It is not about handling. The one I need right now must fit on the board with 1/4" width. With TSSOP-8, it is not a problem at all (the chip is located along the long edge of the board).

Quote from: mariush on October 20, 2016, 05:04:26 am

The minimums of 1KB program size and 256 bytes of memory kind of restrict you.

I will have a look at anything, even smaller, those numbers are just for general direction. Although how much smaller can you bet and still stay useful.

andyturk · « **Reply #3 on:** October 20, 2016, 05:12:45 am »

http://www.cypress.com/part/cy8c4013sxi-400t

mariush · « **Reply #4 on:** October 20, 2016, 05:22:03 am »

Quote from: ataradov on October 20, 2016, 05:09:32 am

It is not about handling. The one I need right now must fit on the board with 1/4" width. With TSSOP-8, it is not a problem at all (the chip is located along the long edge of the board).

Quote from: mariush on October 20, 2016, 05:04:26 am
The minimums of 1KB program size and 256 bytes of memory kind of restrict you.
I will have a look at anything, even smaller, those numbers are just for general direction. Although how much smaller can you bet and still stay useful.

I see. Have a look at Holtek : http://www.holtek.com.tw/producthome

I don't know any distributors for them, but they have loads of microcontrollers and I see them in loads of cheap products.

ataradov · « **Reply #5 on:** October 20, 2016, 05:39:19 am »

Quote from: mariush on October 20, 2016, 05:22:03 am

I see. Have a look at Holtek

This is a really impressive selection of parts. But it looks like there is no way to buy them in moderately small quantity or even to find out a price.

I really like this approach - a lot of parts clearly designed for a specific application or type of devices.

MK14 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 20, 2016, 05:54:12 am »

Quote from: ataradov on October 20, 2016, 05:39:19 am

Quote from: mariush on October 20, 2016, 05:22:03 am
I see. Have a look at Holtek
This is a really impressive selection of parts. But it looks like there is no way to buy them in moderately small quantity or even to find out a price.

I really like this approach - a lot of parts clearly designed for a specific application or type of devices.

As far as I can tell, it tells you the price, if you click through and say you want to buy the parts.
The cheapest I can find so far is $0.40 each.
There does not seem to be a minimum quantity, except you have to pay postage, making too low a quantity uneconomical.

This gets you close to seeing the prices: (It shows the prices once you have chosen parts)
http://www.holmate.com/aspx/user01/ItemList.aspx

ataradov · « **Reply #7 on:** October 20, 2016, 05:58:34 am »

Quote from: MK14 on October 20, 2016, 05:54:12 am

As far as I can tell, it tells you the price, if you click through and say you want to buy the parts.

How do you even get to buying?

From the main page: General Purpose MCU -> A/D Flash MCU -> HT66F13 -> all sorts of documents and related info, but no buy button.

MK14 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 20, 2016, 06:00:07 am »

Quote from: ataradov on October 20, 2016, 05:58:34 am

Quote from: MK14 on October 20, 2016, 05:54:12 am
As far as I can tell, it tells you the price, if you click through and say you want to buy the parts.
How do you even get to buying?

From the main page: General Purpose MCU -> A/D Flash MCU -> HT66F13 -> all sorts of documents and related info, but no buy button.

Products.

Link above in first post.
Repeated here:
(http://www.holmate.com/aspx/user01/ItemList.aspx)

Since it has set cookies for me, I now see:

Quote

2425
HT45F23A-01
16NSOP   A/D Type Tiny Power Flash MCU with Low-power OP   $1.19
1
Add to Cart
2426
HT45F23A-02
24SSOP   A/D Type Tiny Power Flash MCU with Low-power OP   $1.36
1
Add to Cart
2427
HT45F24A
28SSOP   A/D Type Tiny Power Flash MCU with Low-power OP   $1.48
1
Add to Cart
2564
HT45F75
48LQFP   Body Fat Scale 8-Bit Flash MCU   $1.12
1
Add to Cart
2540
HT48R05A-1
18SOP   0.5K ROM OTP MCU   $1.00
1
Add to Cart
1785
HT48R30A-1-01
28SKDIP   HT48R30A-1, SKDIP28 in tube   $1.90
1
Add to Cart
2527
HT48R30A-1-05
28SOP   HT48R30A-1 in 28SOP tube   $1.90
1
Add to Cart
2547
HT66F002
10MSOP   1K I/O AD type Flash MCU   $0.40
1
Add to Cart
2548
HT66F003
16NSOP   1K I/O A/D Type Flash MCU   $0.43
1
Add to Cart
2533
HT66F004
20SSOP   A/D type MCU   $0.45
1
Add to Cart
2532
HT66F004
20DIP   A/D type MCU   $0.45
1
Add to Cart
2567
HT66F004
16NSOP   A/D type MCU   $0.45
1
Add to Cart
2428
HT66F016
16NSOP   A/D type MCU   $0.88
1
Add to Cart
2429
HT66F017
16NSOP   A/D type MCU   $0.92
1
Add to Cart
2578
HT66F0175
24SSOP   2K ROM AD type Flash MCU   $1.00
1
Add to Cart
2430
HT66F03-01
10MSOP   A/D type MCU   $1.09
1
Add to Cart
2431
HT66F03-02
16NSOP   A/D type MCU   $1.02
1
Add to Cart
2432
HT66F04-01
10MSOP   A/D type MCU   $1.18
1
Add to Cart
2433
HT66F04-02
16NSOP   A/D type MCU   $1.12
1
Add to Cart
2434
HT66F30-1
24SSOP   A/D type MCU   $1.05
1
Add to Cart
2435
HT66F40-01
28SSOP   A/D type MCU   $1.10
1
Add to Cart
2436
HT66F40-02
44LQFP   A/D type MCU   $1.20
1
Add to Cart
2541
HT66F50
28SOP   A/D type MCU   $1.20
1
Add to Cart
2437
HT66FB540
28SSOP   ADC type Flash Full speed USB MCU(4K ROM,12bitx8ch)   $1.32
1
Add to Cart
2542
HT66FV240
48LQFP   voice MCU   $1.60
1
Add to Cart
2438
HT67F30
48LQFP   A/D + LCD type MCU   $1.97
1
Add to Cart
2439
HT67F40-01
48LQFP   A/D + LCD type MCU   $2.08
1
Add to Cart
2440
HT67F40-02
64LQFP   A/D + LCD type MCU   $2.31
1
Add to Cart
2441
HT67F488
44LQFP   A/D + LCD type MCU   $1.42
1
Add to Cart
2442
HT67F489
44LQFP   A/D + LCD type MCU   $1.51
1
Add to Cart

ID

Holmate,Last Modified: 11/10/2006 Visited: 53692; Admin Logon

ataradov · « **Reply #9 on:** October 20, 2016, 06:04:24 am »

Quote from: MK14 on October 20, 2016, 06:00:07 am

Link above in first post.

Yep, I see it now.

That thing does not appear to give any discounts for quantity and their single quantity prices are not even remotely competitive with Microchip and Atmel parts from DigiKey.

MK14 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 20, 2016, 06:06:44 am »

Quote from: ataradov on October 20, 2016, 06:04:24 am

Quote from: MK14 on October 20, 2016, 06:00:07 am
Link above in first post.
Yep, I see it now.

That thing does not appear to give any discounts for quantity and their single quantity prices are not even remotely competitive with Microchip and Atmel parts from DigiKey.

I think I read, they start giving discounts, for quantities above 1K. You have to email them to get quotes.
Most semiconductor companies (MCUs), seem to keep secret their bulk prices, for quantities above about 5K units.
So I'm NOT surprised you have to email them for >1K.

gamalot · « **Reply #11 on:** October 20, 2016, 06:33:05 am »

If you do not mind using a TSSOP20 device, you can find STM32F030F4P6 that costs less than 30 cents on Taobao.

MK14 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 20, 2016, 06:41:18 am »

The ST 8 bits can be $0.283 from ST themselves, but that would be x10,000 (at higher prices, distributors do lower quantities)
"STM8S003F3P6 TSSOP 20 Tube -40 85 Active 0.283 10000"

The 8K flash, 1K Ram, make them very competitive against Microchip/Atmel, I believe. But the case maybe too big for you.
And x10,000 is too many.

Newark (there may be cheaper distributors) gives:

x1000 - x2499 = $0.398
x2500+ = $0.372

amyk · « **Reply #13 on:** October 20, 2016, 10:55:52 am »

Try looking at STC. They have some very cheap 8051s.

mikeselectricstuff · « **Reply #14 on:** October 20, 2016, 11:15:27 am »

If it's logic replacement, also look at the Silego GreenPak devices.

Also don't forget the cost of programming. Microchip may not quite be in the price range you've quoted but they will program them for a few pennies extra , which might make up the difference.

Kalvin · « **Reply #15 on:** October 20, 2016, 11:19:31 am »

Embedded microcontrollers from Digikey sorted by price:

http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en/integrated-circuits-ics/embedded-microcontrollers/2556109?FV=fff40027%2Cfff800cd&mnonly=0&newproducts=0&ColumnSort=1000011&page=1&stock=0&pbfree=0&rohs=0&k=microcontroller&quantity=&ptm=0&fid=0&pageSize=25

Kalvin · « **Reply #16 on:** October 20, 2016, 11:37:00 am »

You may also want to take a look at this: http://www.stcmicro.com/stcmcu.html
If you are a bit adventurous you can get these very cheaply from Aliexpress. I remember seeing prices around $0.10/ea or even less in small quantities.

krho · « **Reply #17 on:** October 22, 2016, 05:03:40 am »

Another vote for STM8S003F3, the STM8S003F3U6TR (QFN) is usually cheaper than SOIC, and small footprint 3x3mm is really small, sou with adapter boards you could fit it almost anywhere.

ebclr · « **Reply #18 on:** October 23, 2016, 12:11:45 pm »

STM8S903K3T6C

http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/389/stm8s903k3-956363.pdf 0.94 USD in mouser

0.27 USd in China

https://world.taobao.com/item/537421416018.htm?fromSite=main&ali_refid=a3_430620_1006:1123595568:N:stm8s:c589479daa03e63eb09b9adef2a7b6a8&ali_trackid=1_c589479daa03e63eb09b9adef2a7b6a8&spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.9YnjNq

ebclr · « **Reply #19 on:** October 23, 2016, 12:12:50 pm »

Development board

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1pcs-STM32F103C8T6-ARM-STM32-Minimum-System-Development-Board-Module-Arduino-/201414966215?hash=item2ee5447bc7:g:X-oAAOSw6BtVVACk


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Author Topic: Source for cheap MCUs (Read 6120 times)

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