PIC24EP512 - Product availability

[benoitstjean]

Hi guys,

I realize this is not a CCS topic but given that this forum is PIC-related, I figured I'd ask the question... I am just curious to know if anyone capable of buying PIC MCUs, more precisely the PIC24EP512GP806-I/PT anywhere in the world that would ship to Canada?

Just checked on Microchip website and the next delivery date is March 2023! This is crazy!

Thanks for any helpful info!

Ben
Canada

[temtronic]

Hay Ben
had a quick peek...digikey, mouser, etc. yeesh !!
I assume you've tried other, similar PICs ? Maybe one that's in stock, cost $2-3 more is better than NONE.

[benoitstjean]

This is for an existing circuit where all clocking and overclocking, PWMs, timers, input interrupts etc has been calculated and the whole circuit runs like clockwork and has been working for a few years so I don't want to take the chance that I test something else and I run into issues.

I will call Microchip to see if there's a way I can buy like 5-6. The situation is even worst with ARM processors.... I need some STM32G473RET6 for a new design and those don't even have estimated delivery dates.

Thanks for your time.

Ben

[dyeatman]

Mouser shows as having 6 in stock...
_________________
Google and Forum Search are some of your best tools!!!!

[benoitstjean]

Mouser Canada shows 5,688 Expected 2023-02-20, same with Mouser US. Which country did you look into or which exact part number did you search for? Because I searched for my exact p/n PIC24EP512GP806-I/PT and that's what shows-up.

[temtronic]

https://octopart.com/pic24ep512gp806-i%2Fpt-microchip-21270352#PriceAndStock

1/2 way down ?????

Jay

[newguy]

3 options:

1. 4 Star Electronics
2. Greenlight Electronics
3. Heisener Electronics

I've used 4 Star and Greenlight in the past. They're reputable. Heisener was recently suggested here by tTelmah; I reached out privately and he's used them before and trusts them.

Just beware that they all seem to be brokers; they don't seem to keep local stock of much. As such, the numbers they show as being available sometimes aren't actually available. Send inquiries to all 3 as they're all showing stock; you should be able to snag what you need.

[Ttelmah]

Big question is how many you need now, and how many more/when in
the future?.

A couple of suppliers show a few of these, but very few. These are going
fast.
A couple more show deliveries expected in a few days (mid April). But
only a few hundred, and these will sell very quickly.
All the main suppliers are not showing quantities available till next year.

Unfortunately this is becoming a increasing problem.

I'd get an order in with 4Star quickly if they are showing stock.

Heisener, have a habit of putting prices up between a 'quote' and an actual
order, if availability is low. They are the sole supplier for a couple of
specialist items, and on these they have been OK for me. However
generally what they show as available, will only be what other suppliers
actually 'have'.

If you can afford to, order what you need for at least six months, from a
couple of the suppliers showing stock....

[temtronic]

so silly question...
what IS Microchip making as current production chips ??

[Ttelmah]

I think there are about ten problems.
Chip manufacturers worldwide have had issues with the silicon supplies to
them. One company that makes the wafers, lost an entire plant last year.
Then there are shortages of the epoxy for encapsulation.
Then shortages of materials for the legs.
Then the manufacturers themselves lost some production from Covid.
Then wholesalers and suppliers had Covid problems.
This all gives a drop in available production.
Then demand has actually shot up for some products using semiconductors.
Now production has normally been batch based, with long gaps between
batches of the same chips. You will often have found that for several months
all the parts were one batch number. then another. With all the stocks low
now, people are also switching and using up other products, and booking
deliveries well ahead for the parts that are listed as available. Result things
get even worse.

As an example, a friend just took delivery of a new Mercedes. Delivery was
five months later than the original quoted date, and it has come without
it's cell phone chip fitted (meant to be another four months for this to
come).

It is very much not just MicroChip, but just about every chip supplier.

[benoitstjean]

I just phone Microchip Canada and got re-routed to the Philippines and the sales lady said it wasn't a typo, it is in fact March 2023 for the next available part and did say that if I want some, to place an order today for that batch. They are currently fulfilling the orders that were placed in the last 2 years.

She said that they are hiring new employees at a Thailand and Philippines plant as well as Arizona.

Covid caused the plants to halt and many employees died of covid from what she said. This is crazy.

The thing is that in my field of work, I only do a few circuits a year here and there, I don't sell consumer products, it's just for my office. Even if I click on 'samples' and order ONE sample, it's still 2023!

I think I will start studying knitting and make mits for the homeless.

Ben

[temtronic]

yeesh, that is NUTS...

Funny thing, is that when I ask for samples, they come FROM Thailand, via India, Germany, Hamilton.....usually in a week (once in 3 days !) even though STOCKED in Toronto.
Too bad I can't get 'sample's for you that way. I checked ...zero in stock....sorry.

Jay

[benoitstjean]

haha. Thailand, Philippines, Hamilton (very exotic).

Even the samples there's no stock as confirmed by the sales lady at Microchip. So to those of you that have chips, use them wisely!

Cheers.

[newguy]

It's op-amps that I can't get. Many sleepless nights lately trying to round them up...

[benoitstjean]

I phoned STMicroElectronics also for ARM processors and it's the same problem. My BOM for this new circuit has about 60 different parts and to my surprise, only the MCU is not available. Oh well. So be it. There are way worst things that that these days.