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Component footprint terms

Component footprint terms

Component footprint terms

(OP)
I was talking with a friend of mine the other day about component footprint verses component body size. He said the footprint is the body size, it this true? I always saw them as being different.  

RE: Component footprint terms

I'm not sure I understand the question...

From a mechanical standpoint, the footprint is indeed the body size... the component takes up whatever space it takes up, plain and simple.  That is, by definition, the footprint of an object.

From a PCB pad layout standpoint, it depends on your method of soldering (wave, IR reflow, hand, etc.).  In the case of wave soldering, it also depends upon the component orientation compared to the flow direction of the wave.

Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

RE: Component footprint terms

I've always understood it as follows.  The footprint implies the pads on the PCB, i.e. where the actual traces connect (where the leadframe connects to the PCB).  The component body is the encapsulated die(s), sustrate + leadframe, i.e. the black IC.  The component body can be larger than the footprint (BGA) or smaller (TSOP, etc.).

Hope that helps!

RE: Component footprint terms

(OP)
melone,
That is my understanding also. I guess it depends. If it is the CCA, it is the component body.  If you are looking at the PWB, it is the actual connections.

RE: Component footprint terms

From a generic perspective, a body size is the physical extent of the object.  The footprint, is the space claim of the object, which is at least the body size, and includes the overhead and infrastructure to support the installation and use of that object.

 

TTFN

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RE: Component footprint terms

As IR stuff said, footprint isn't the same as 'assigned PCB area'. Stripline antennas and some transformers require a certain clearance from other PCB parts, thus more PCB area than their physical shape.  On the contrary, some UHF transceivers are quite big, though you can always drop some SMD parts below.

IMO a good footprint file will include both pad pattern and physical outline.  

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