This e-mail I just sent to ATMEL is self explanatory.
Mr Jacob L. Lassen
Further to my previous e-mail
I have spent a lot of time on this, to say I am rather upset would be an understatement.
ATMEGA163L power save mode:
Using a 3.6864 crystal, 3.6 v lithium battery 2,400 mAh (hey the smaller ones go flat too quickly!!)
No external components connected at all only the two crystals 3.6864mhz and 32khz 12pf(what an application hey!)
ports set as input, pull up enabled.
Yes the chip is properly decoupled etc, I am 55 years old, I was there when the 8080 arrived!
500ua is the best I can achieve.
Using 100k pull ups on all ports same as before no external connections on ports except crystals.
500ua is the best I achieve.
The PART I have has the following markings (I have two parts, cost me an arm and a leg!)
ATMEGA163L
4PI
0037
underneath it has;
a small circle with 67 in it
also; laser etched the following markings
OG4698-19906F
1KOREA-H OG0035
Now as if that is not sufficient to shatter my confidence in ATMEL parts forever, there's more.
Using an STK500
Using the ADC measuring one channel at a time.
I wired porta to a couple of switches using the 2 cable connector, from say PA0-PA1 to SW0-SW1
most channels when I press the switch and connect 150ohms to gnd, read 13mv to 18mv
HOWEVER CHANNEL 7 reads 0 mv (it is the only one that is correct!)
SO I measured the actual pin and sure enough, that is exactly what they are most read 13 to 18mv and channel 7 reads 0 mv
Wow this is certainly not nice now is it?
When I observe it with an oscilloscope, all pins are high, except channel 7 it is low.
When I press reset and hold it, all ports are low, data sheet says they are tri-stated and float!!
Both chips that I have do exactly the same thing, so at least it isn't random thank god!
I have spent $1500, wasted nearly 2 weeks and do not have any confidence in this chip, none, sit, schil, nada, Zemi, UNDERSTAND!!!
I read the posting on AVR Forum, (after I started all this wish I had read it before!!!) warning of the pitfalls in using AVR from someone calling himself AVR GUY, I have to totally agree with him, this stuff is badly if at all documented, and it is preliminary till when? when ATMEL can actually make one or till like "Intel" the data sheet is change to match reality.
The panic and scarcity of parts will work for a while, and then no one will want your non functional parts!!
Unfortunately in the real world I can't simply mark my product PRELIMINARY, SORRY, WORKAROUND AVAILABLE ON REQUEST!!
An honest detailed (more than one paragraph saying OH YEAH, sorry, it is preliminary etc) would be the least I would expect.
I spelled checked this using Microsoft Outlook and it sugested changing ATMEL to ATHEL, sounds appropriate don't you think?
Sort of kind regards (how is that new job application going?).
Joseph Abram