Am29F040B content degradation

Hello,

Thank you for contacting Cypress Semiconductor.

In what kind of environment is the target application (using the Am29F040B) operating?

What is the Operating Temperature Range = ?

What is the Operating Altitude = ?

What is the Operating Depth = ?

What is the frequency of erase and programs operations that occur = ?

Use in Aeronautics/Avionics/Space = ?

Any Excess EMI present nearby = ?

Any Radiation Field present nearby = ?

What is the complete Ordering Part Number (OPN) of the Am29F040B?

Please respond at your earliest convenience...

Best regards,

Albert

Cypress Semiconductor.

Hello,

No worries on your delayed response.  It is understood that we are all !tasked with various projects and issues, simultaneously.

I believe you meant to indicate the Am29F040B-90EI, as the Am29F040B-90FI is an invalid Ordering Part Number (OPN),

which does not exist.

It certainly appears the Am29F040B is experiencing "Soft Errors", as soft errors are not damaging to the cells, but correctable

through erasing and re-programming of the FLASH device, itself.  Please refer to the attached legacy (Spansion-2011) presentation

in regards to X-Ray physics, as there may be the possibility that your specific assembly inspection process may be exposed to

these similar conditions.

Best regards,

Albert

Cypress Semiconductor

Hello,

Yes, I believe the date codes (0421 & 0427) are from the 2004 production year.

NOTE :   The Am29F040B-90FI did, at one time, exist as a vaild Ordering Part Number (OPN),

but it was officially discontinued in January, 2006   (F = 32-pin TSOP, reverse pinout)

Moisture Barrier Bags : FLASH memory products are sealed in moisture barrier bags, and should be stored

in an environment with the temperature less than 40°C and the relative humidity (RH) less than 90 percent.

The moisture barrier bag meets the requirements specified in MIL-PRF-81705D, Type I, Class 1 for flexibility,

ESD protection, mechanical strength, and puncture resistance.  Furthermore, the bag complies with the drop

test requirements defined in ASTDM 4169-94 and the water vapor transmission rate defined in ASTM F-1249.

All bags are coated with antistatic material to provide ESD protection on all surfaces and to comply with the

requirements set for in EIA 625.

Humidity Indicator Card : The Humidity Indicator Card is included in each moisture barrier bag.  The Humidity

Card has humidity-sensitive elements that turn from blue to pink whenever the specific Relative Humidity (RH)

level is exceeded.  The Humidity Indicator Card can be reused if all the humidity-sensitive elements are blue.

If the Humidity Card has turned pink, bake the card at 125°C ± 5°C for 15 minutes. The humidity indicator cards

used with Cypress FLASH memory products meet the standards specified in MIL-I-18835.

Desiccant : Each sealed moisture barrier bag has Desiccant.  The desiccant pouches placed in the bag  greatly

reduce the presence of moisture. The desiccant pouches help to maintain the environment in the bag at no greater

than 10 percent RH, thereby protecting the devices during shipment and storage for at least 12 months. 

Out-of-Bag Time :   Out-of-bag time varies depending upon the moisture-sensitivity rating for the product and is

based upon assumptions made about the factory environment to which the product is exposed.

There should be no issue to use older date code FLASH memory product, as long as strict adherence to the above

conditions are fully satisfied.

However, baking of the FLASH memory product is required if :

1).   The out-of-bag time from initial exposure to board mounting is exceeded;

2).   The out-of-bag product has been stored at an RH of 10% or greater,  or

3).   The humidity indicator card is greater than 10% when read at 23°C ± 5°C.

Please provide specific details as to whom the third-party vendor or distributor is,

from where the Am29F040B-90FI were purchased.  The identity of the  third-party

vendor or distributor may assist with determining the actual environment of how

the Am29F040B-xx were stored.

Best regards,

Albert

Cypress Applications Support

Hello

Sagitron is not recognized as an authorized distributor of AMD, Spansion or Cypress FLASH memory products,

and Cypress is unfamiliar with Sagitron's environmental-controlled storage protocol.

Therefore, it may certainly be possible that the Am29F040B-90FI may have developed oxidation on the leads.

However, I believe you may be experiencing 'soft-errors' that may be due to excessive x-ray or radiation exposure.

'Soft-errors are correctable through 'erase' and 're-programming.'

Best regards,

Albert

Cypress Semiconductors

Hello Felix,

As I had already mentioned in my previous response, Sagitron is not recognized as an authorized distributor of AMD.

Therefore AMD, Spansion or Cypress, are not familiar with Sagitron, as well as with its environmentally-controlled

storage protocol.  Sagitron is not a recognized authorized distributor or Sales Representative.

Cypress does not extend any portion of its product warranty and/or guarantee to any Cypress (AMD, Spansion) FLASH

memory products that were purchased through Third Party Vendors and/or Non-Authorized Distributors.

There may be the possibility that the Am29F040B FLASH memory devices may have been Illegally re-produced by counterfeiters.

Therefore, you will need to contact Sagitron directly for a Return-Materials Authorization (RMA).

Best regards,

Albert

Cypress Semiconductor