Hi all,
my question may look strange, but do some of you buy Atmel microcontrollers from Atmel distributors, and if so do you have problems getting them these days ?
I am located in North America, and we are planning using the Atmega328P for a new device we are designing. We tried to buy a small quantity to build prototypes, around 20 of them, but can't find them anywhere in stock, :-[.
I have been told by an Atmel representative that the shortage is due to the financial crisis we all know, that led to plant shutdown, and that putting them back on is long - for example, lead time for this product is 16 weeks. I even looked at ATmega168PA for the prototypes, same shortage :(.
So, do some of you experiment the same problem ?
Thanks
Yup, they are a little tough to get these days.
SparkFun had 17 of the PDIP packages just now (1810 CDT)
They trickle in here and there. Check mouser.com.
I backordered a few(10) and got them with the may5 order.
Beware of fakes, order from a reputable vendor. Sparkfun ate 5000 fakes!
Beware of fakes, order from a reputable vendor. Sparkfun ate 5000 fakes!
Well they are fakes but they might not just be slugs:
Yeah, I have had issues too when trying to buy them, it will be a few months before people have a lot more to sell.
Mowcius
They pop up here and there with no announcement, keep an eye on the various vendors.
I got 100 of the TQFP ATmega328p from Nu Horizon's 3000pc order, which was sold out a couple days later. Tested working so far. Under $3 each.
Scarcity generates hoarding, making it even harder to buy these. But I don't feel guilty because I actually did need over 50pcs for a project. 
Atmel should have let Microchip buy them...
Some years ago, AVRs were really hard to actually get, rather like they are now. (I was really happy when I managed to snag a "relatively large batch" (for a hobbyist) of AT90S2313s and AT90S1200 from All American Semiconductor.)
Atmel added additional Fabs to build the chips, and availability increased quite nicely.
But apparently Atmel didn't make more money that way; in fact, they lost more money.
So recently they sold/closed some of their fabs, and we're back to square one?
I'm not impressed.
(it's certainly all a lot more complicated than that. I'm just describing how it looks from the sidelines. and whining...)
We're learning about Scarcity, Supply, and Demand in Civics Class at the moment. This is a nice little real-world example :P.
Anyone got a Demand Schedule? ;D
Anyone know where you can buy ATmega 644s in SMD at the moment. I know where I can get the DIP package but that is much too big for the board I will be sticking them on (about 1.5" square ;)).
Mowcius
Now! Now! Now!
Haha yeah!
SparkFun had 17 of the PDIP packages just now (1810 CDT)
Make that 6 (15:49GMT)...
Mowcius