Re: Black Arrow announces 28nm 100Ghash Bitcoin ASIC from $1.49/Ghash
@vs3, I'm not much of an analog guy, but isn't it difficult for a QFN package to evenly distribute 50 watts of clean power? I was under the impression that BGA style packages are used for A) large pin counts, and B) power distribution. Point B being salient here. BGAs allow you to get caps closer to the die. And with designs like mining chips, power distribution is key.
Again, I'm not an analog guy. I suppose BlackArrow could chime in here, but honestly I think they have more important things on their mind. Time to market is so much more important than getting the cost of PCB and assembly down.
Again, I'm not an analog guy. I suppose BlackArrow could chime in here, but honestly I think they have more important things on their mind. Time to market is so much more important than getting the cost of PCB and assembly down.
I agree - each package has its pros and cons and our discussion may already be pointless if the package has been picked.
As for the caps - indeed, you can put them on the other side of the PCB and get them very close, but I don't think they're a critical piece here...
I think the biggest issue is dealing with all of that amperage and the resulting heat. (And if we have to route 40A through a hole bunch of vias - those would have to have one hell of a copper metallization ... I suspect even regular 1oz copper may not be sufficient)
BlackArrow - please chime in
