Can I remove the authentication chip (ATECC608A) from a custom build?

Official Hardware Nano Family Nano 33 IoT
1

Hello,

I work for a college lab, and we are designing a custom PCB that is going to use the Nano IOT platform. We're trying to do this based on what JLCPCB has in stock, and they do not have the ATECC608A or any direct replacements.

I'm not familiar with this chip, can I get rid of it without much of an issue? From what I've read, it seems to be only important for connecting to Arduino Cloud. Anything on the Nano IOT that I don't need, I'd like to remove anywhere to save space on the custom PCB.

Thank you!

2

Well, you could be in trouble if the firmware polls it on startup and finds it missing... can you take a Nano IOT and desolder the IC for a test?

3

There is a easier way to test this. I2C uses pull-up resistors to create the HIGH signal on the bus. The signal is not actively driven HIGH. You can simply connect the pin SDA/A4 to GND to disable I2C communication without damaging the device.

Then you can test all your WiFi stuff for any dependencies on the ATECC608A.

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