Echelon Product Alerts

ID# 1015	3.3V Lattice CPLD was inadvertently substituted for the 5V Lattice CPLD on some Model 65202 LTS-20 SLTA Core Module and Model 73390 PSG-20 Serial Gateway Core Module

Date
12 August 2002

Products Affected
Model 65202 LTS-20 SLTA Core Module
Model 73390 PSG-20 Serial Gateway Core Module

Customers Affected By This Notice
All customers using Model 65202 and/or Model 73390 modules shipped after 1 January 2000 and prior to June 2002 are affected by this notification.

Method of Identifying the Affected Product
The affected modules can be identified by reviewing the model number and date code information located on a white label placed on IC U2 (see photo below).

The label has the following format:

Model 65202 - LTS-20	Model 73390 - PSG-20
801-1193-01	801-0306-01
YYWW R	YYWW R
M/N 65202	M/N 73390

Affected units have the following date code (YYWW):
YY = 00 WW = 1 through 52
YY = 01 WW = 1 through 52
YY = 02 WW = 1 through 27

Problem Summary
All Model 65202 and 73390 modules contain a complex programmable logic device (CPLD) that is used to control operation of the module memory. The CPLDs are intended to operate at the same voltage as the other components in the module, which in the case of the 65202 and 73390 modules is nominally 5V.

The original supplier of CPLDs to Echelon discontinued their part in late 1999, and a new part from a different manufacturer, Lattice Semiconductor, was selected for all modules manufactured starting in January 2000. In the affected modules a 3.3V Lattice CPLD was inadvertently substituted for the 5V Lattice CPLD. A 3.3V part that is used in a 5V application will typically experience premature failure, though the exact time to failure will vary based on the operating temperature, nominal voltage, and lot-to-lot part variations.

Echelon was recently notified by one of our customers that they had experienced premature failure of several modules affected by the notification. Upon investigation Echelon discovered the substitution issue, immediately changed the CPLD to a 5V part for all new modules, and launched a review of the likelihood of premature failure under different operating conditions. The conclusion was that the 3.3V CPLD is likely to experience premature failure, however, there are too many intermediate factors to state conclusively after how many operating hours such a failure will occur.

Problem Resolution
Customers with existing modules under warranty may obtain from Echelon a replacement refurbished Model 65202 and/or 73390 module with a 5V CPLD at no cost. Please contact one of the Echelon support centers listed below to request replacement refurbished modules. You will be asked to provide a purchase order equivalent in value to the total price of the replacement modules. Replacement modules will be sent immediately - upon receiving the customer’s original units the purchase order will be discarded. Customers who do not return the original Model 65202 and/or 73390 modules within thirty (30) days of receiving eplacement
modules will be charged for the replacement modules.

Customers with existing modules that are out of warranty may obtain a replacement refurbished Model 65202 and/or 73390 module with the 5V CPLD at a cost of $25 (twenty-five US dollars) per unit if they contact Echelon within six (6) months of receiving this notice - this offer is invalid thereafter. Please contact one of the Echelon support centers listed below to request replacement refurbished modules. You will be asked to provide a purchase order with two lines on it. The first line is for the rework fee (model 97002) of $25 per unit. The second line is equivalent in value to the total price of the modules being replaced. Replacement modules will be sent immediately, and the rework fee will be invoiced upon shipment.

Customerswho do not return the original Model 65202 and/or 73390 modules within thirty (30) days of receiving replacement modules will be charged for the replacement modules.

How Should Affected Customers Obtain Replacement Model 65202 and 73390 Modules?
Please use our online RMA form to request replacement modules from refurbished stock. Customers will pay freight charges for sending their modules to Echelon, and Echelon will pay freight charges for the replacement modules. International customers should note that modules are being shipped for warranty replacement in order to avoid paying duties that should not otherwise be charged.