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shanki:
those chips are still available on aliexpress..

It will definetly make it more difficult though when the pcb manufacturer doesn't have the parts available.
Idk what happens in a case like that. Maybe you can send them the chips? either that or you will have to solder these chips yourself..

RandyT:

--- Quote from: shanki on October 02, 2024, 06:05:18 am ---those chips are still available on aliexpress..

It will definetly make it more difficult though when the pcb manufacturer doesn't have the parts available.
Idk what happens in a case like that. Maybe you can send them the chips? either that or you will have to solder these chips yourself..

--- End quote ---

There's actually more to it than that. The CY7C63743, like similar parts from that series, is OTP (One Time Programmable.) This makes purchasing them from untrusted sources very difficult, as sellers on AliExpress often have no idea where the parts are coming from (they get screwed over as well, and none are willing to take the losses themselves.) When you see obsolete parts being sold on that platform, they could be reclaimed from E-waste or old manufacturers' stock. And even the latter do not have a high likelihood of being usable. These chips were available from the manufacturer pre-programmed with customer code, and have no external markings to indicate this. This means that more often than not, even though they are sealed and appear new, they could already be programmed, which basically renders them useless for any other application. Or they could just be fake chips which have been cleaned up and re-lasered with the new part numbers.

So yes, you may get lucky with a particular seller who fell into a cache of virgin parts, but from personal experience, it is not the norm with this kind of part. The real question is how many times you will get conned before getting something you can use.

shanki:
I see so that's a big problem then.. I was thinking about wether i could program them with a cheapo programmer from china..

Do you know if there are any parts that are compatible (size and pinout)?

RandyT:

--- Quote from: shanki on October 03, 2024, 02:13:02 pm ---I see so that's a big problem then.. I was thinking about wether i could program them with a cheapo programmer from china..
Do you know if there are any parts that are compatible (size and pinout)?

--- End quote ---

The programmer is also a concern, but that front may be different now than it was when I had to purchase a very expensive unit which supported that series.

--- Quote ---Do you know if there are any parts that are compatible (size and pinout)?

--- End quote ---

Not to my knowledge. When a part goes obsolete, especially an OTP series like that one, everything changes. The coding path might be simplified for moving to the next part, but that's still a code change and new pinout.

The funny thing is (and part of the reason I know about these) is I used these for a short time in the long past and have a small quantity of virgin chips. No idea at the moment how many, but not a lot. I found 8 of the DIP variety, but I know I have some of the SMD type as well....just need to find them :) But if I do, and someone REALLY wants to try to build one of those units (honestly, looks like more effort than necessary, given the newer options available), I could probably part with some....if I can locate them, that is.

Endprodukt:
I raise my hand for interest!

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