Need inexpensive SSOP test clips

[MacGyverS2000]

I'm looking for inexpensive test clips for SSOP/TSSOP packages, starting at 14 pins in size and going up. I've found plenty of SOIC clips for decent prices ($10-$20), but the leats expensive SSOP I've found was by Pomona at nearly $300! I've also looked at Emulation Technology clips at roughly the same price range.

I don't need Ghz range clips... these are for programming processors already on PCBs that run in the 20MHz range. At that low of a clock, it should be obvious the slew rates aren't going to be that high, so claiming GHz range on clips for a higher price doesn't do me any good.

Anyone know of some?

 

[cbarn24050]

Hi, you need to route the programming pins to a conventional socket or edge connector, I know that's not much help if you have made the board allready. A similar situation exists if you need to attach test gear such as logic analysers to your board, same solution. Moral is to plan ahead.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

The larger boards have this, but several products have minimal size as the leading goal (hence the use of SSOP). Even with the 2mm pitch the larger boards use, a 5-pad bare board connector would increase board size by at least 10%... that's a definite no-no.

Unless somone is able to provide me with a useful and inexpensive socket, I'll be forced to kludge it. Even though looking for a socket for SMD chips is somewhat pointless, I did it anyway, just in case.

If I can find something with the same pitch, I may be able to finagle something together. I was thinking about some board-to-board connectors by Logical Systems with the same 0.65mm pith as SSOP. The females are only 3mm inside rather than the typical 5mm of SSOP, but maybe a good dremel tool cut down the center and some extra plastic would do it up nice. For a couple of $, it may be worth a try.

I'd still pay the extra dough for a quality, purpose-built connector any day, just not $300 worth of extra dough.

 

[cbarn24050]

Hi, an alternative is to have a standard edge connector, once you have programmed the processor you cut the edge connector off, not too good if you need to upgrade later.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

It's upgrades that I'm working with here, unfortunately...

 

[cbarn24050]

In that case as it's just a small board why not replace the whole board.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Expensive components, and any replacement board would need to be the same size, so if another upgrade comes along, I'm in the same position.

 

[Comcokid]

If all the boards are identical, then find available traces to make contact to, measure carefully the locations, buy some small pogo pins, use a piece of delrin, and make a simple pogo pin fixture.

You might also be able to use zebra-strips to a contact board directly above the chip to make contact to the pins. Again, careful positioning and fixturing may be required. Just a quick idea I've never tried myself.

 

[sreid]

Here's a possibility.

http://www.adapters.com/catalog/test_clips.pdf

They do talk about custom designs.