Panasonic HHC ROM 'capules'

[brouhaha]

(01-14-2023 07:47 PM)Jeff_Birt Wrote:  Being able to measure up a real module would be a big help. Of course, the new models will be added to his repo and open for all to use.

That would be great!

For the 16KiB module, a PCB will be needed, using either current memory technology, or old SMD EPROMs.

I initially thought that a Microchip SST39SF010A-70-4C-WHE (TSOP package) flash chip would fit and probably meet the necessary electrical characteristic, and it's cheap (under $1.50). There's a problem with that; the flash chip takes up to 100 microseconds to power up. The HHC power switches the chip, and although the HHC docs say that 16K capsules are "slow ROM", but I doubt that they wait 100us.

Next I thought an FRAM (ferromagnetic-effect nonvolatile RAM) such as Infineon FM18W08-SG might be suitable, but its power-up spec is even words, 10ms. Similarly Everspin MRAM has a 2ms startup.

Similarly, Infineon NVSRAM have a long startup time.

This makes it seem unlikely that any modern memory technology will be suitable. I'm sure old EPROMs can be found, though it's less common to find them in suitable surface-mount packages.

I'm willing to design a PCB once I know the required dimensions to fit the carrier design.