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While ordering free samples from Maxim I have often seen components packaged as µMAX.

What is µMAX? When googling for it all I get are some Maxim components. If I look at google images I get an assortment of SMD and DIP package pictures that bear no resemblance to one another.

Is there a comprehensive list of component packages (cross-provider) around anywhere?

Majenko
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5 Answers5

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Whereas most packages are used by several manufacturers, \$\mu\$MAX seems to be a package solely used by Maxim. It's an 8 pin SMT package, about as wide as an SO-8, but just 3mm long instead of the 5mm of an SO-8. This is achieved by using a 0.65mm pitch instead of 1.27mm.
Other manufacturers also go to ever smaller packages, but most often choose for leadless packages like DFN (Dual Flat No Leads).

enter image description here

Intersil has this list of packages.
NXP has this list.

Unfortunately my experience is that recommended footprints for a certain package aren't always consistent between manufacturers.

stevenvh
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    Looks like yet another reason to avoid Maxim parts. This one is guaranteed to have no substitutes if Maxim is the only one using this package. I expect it has a unusually high unobtanium content. – Olin Lathrop Jun 23 '11 at 11:44
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    Why can't they just all stick to a standard instead of each manufacturer making up their own packages??? – Majenko Jun 23 '11 at 12:37
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    @Matt - they mostly do, this is an exception. There are dozens of package types to choose from, so this looks rather pig-headed. – stevenvh Jun 23 '11 at 13:01
  • uMax is just maxim's name for TSOP/SSOP - Where is the problem here? – Connor Wolf Jun 24 '11 at 01:18
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    @Fake - I haven't compared them parameter by parameter, but if that's right it's even worse. If you follow a standard but name it differently you're only confusing the customer, and you risk that they will react like Olin. (Are there 8-pin versions of TSOP?) – stevenvh Jun 24 '11 at 06:46
  • I never said it was a *good* idea, but IIRC, I have used these with footprints from a standard 0.65 mm pitch TSOP library. I think maxim is claiming it's thinner (in height) then standard TSOP, or something. Basically, it's just stupid. – Connor Wolf Jun 24 '11 at 07:18
  • Every manufacturer uses its own nomenclature for *something*. NXP calls sot-23 6-lead 'TSMT', some people call QFN and DFN 'LFCSP' or other stuf... this is nothing special or spectacular and not at all a reason to avoid maxim. A much better to avoid maxim is availability and second sourceability. – user36129 Oct 15 '13 at 10:52
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    μMAX is not TSOP/SSOP as some comments propose. It is a μSOP (MSOP, micro-SOP) - Maxim even specifies that in datasheets: on "package information" pages there is always a xL uMAX/uSOP specification present. – Rok Jarc Feb 05 '14 at 12:39
  • While looking at the land pattern which Maxim supply for their μMAX 10-pin land pattern I noticed that "MOONLORD MANALO" made changes to the document - a nice believable engineer's name to add to the annoying custom package name! [Maxim document 90-0330](http://pdfserv.maximintegrated.com/land_patterns/90-0330.PDF) – Xcodo Jun 25 '15 at 13:34
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enter image description hereμMAX packages (Maxim uses 8-pin and 10-pin versions of this package) seems (by PCB footprint at least) the same as μSOP aka MSOP aka micro-SOP packages.

This is specified on "Package Information" of the datasheets, where there is always 8L (or 10L) uMAX/uSOP specification present.

Rok Jarc
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Comprehensive list of maxim packages here:

http://www.maxim-ic.com/design/packaging/

BullBoyShoes
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Just download pdf datasheet for component of interest, and in the end there will be images of all packages with exact geometric sizes & pin locations.

BarsMonster
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    Recommended footprints, which are as important, are usually not included in the datasheet, but in a more general document. Often harder to find :-( – stevenvh Jun 23 '11 at 13:06
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As far as I can tell, µMAX is Maxim's idiotic name for the standard TSOP package.

They certainly fit on the TSOP footprint from the Altium Designer software, anyways.

An 8-pin µMAX is pretty much identical to a standard 3*3 mm body TSOP part.

Connor Wolf
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