NXP Semiconductors today announced possibly the world's smallest logic plastic packages measuring 0.9 x 1.0 x 0.35 mm with 0.3 mm pitch.

The ultra-compact packaging design is ideal for portable handheld devices such as smartphones, tablets and SD cards where chip and board space comes at a premium. The SOT1115 package decreases package size by 10 percent for the 6-pin version compared to the previous smallest package, SOT891. The 8-pin SOT1116 decreases the package size by 60 percent, compared to the previous smallest 8-pin package SOT833, enabling manufacturers to radically minimize their PCB size.

NXP has conducted studies of the mechanical failure modes of very small logic packages and determined that leadless plastic packages perform better in terms of mechanical adherence to the PCB. "When compared against packages of the same footprint, NXP?s leadless packages outperform leaded and leadless WCSP packages of similar size by requiring up to four times more force to dislodge. This is because NXP?s leadless packages have a greater contact area with the PCB, giving them better mechanical performance and robustness," NXP said.

All of NXP?s single-, dual- and triple-gate functions are available in these new, smaller packages.

NXP SOT1115 and SOT1116 packages are available from distribution at US $0.16 and $0.21 respectively.