Welcome to Tekmos Talks December and Happy Holidays. We will revisit Tekmos' 2014 New Year Resolutions , introduce a new product, talk about travels to Japan, and introduce two Tekmos Team Members in "Meet Tekmos".

Tekmos High Temperature ASIC and High Temperature Micros 175/250C for Extreme Environments...hot chips!

We invite you to take our new Customer Support Survey here.

From the Desk of the President

Reviewing 2014 New Year's Resolutions

Lynn Reed

Now that it is December, it is time to review my New Year's resolutions for 2014. I made 10 of them, and here they are.

* We will bring out programmers for our user programmable versions of our 68XX 80C51, and 28F010 families.

Done. We have introduced the programmer for the 68HC711D3. While the other programmers are in progress, this has turned out to be a difficult task.

* We will develop new high temperature standard products.

Done. We have three high temperature products in design. These are an 8051 processor, a 1553 bus driver, and an EEPROM with refresh and error detection and correction logic.

* We will also work on improving NVM performance at 175C.

Done. We have shown that a refresh cycle is a valid method of improving memory retention at high temperature. The results of this work were published at the Hi-Tec Conference last May.

* We will bring out 0.18 micron ASICs

We missed this one. The growth in the high temperature area consumed the resources that we would have gone into 0.18u.

* We will expand our Japanese sales.

Done. Our Japanese sales were up, and we continue to push forward in this area.

* We will expand our use of adapters as an alternative for obsolete packages.

Done. We have sold three products this year on adapter cards. One was an ASIC that needed an adapter to replace a 256-pin PQFP package. One was our 68020 microprocessor that used an adapter to emulate a 132-pin BQFP package, and one was an adapter for our 80C186EC processor to emulate the 100-pin BQFP package.

* We will add a wafer probe capability.

In progress. We have the probe machines, and are working to bring them on line.

* We will expand our high temperature (+175C) test capability.

Done. We were using a temperature forcing probe to test parts. This required about 5 minutes per part, and was a serious capacity limitation. Now we have test boards that allow us to test about 50 parts per hour, and we can easily increase that amount as needed.

* We will complete the product qualification studies on our new 0.35u technology.

Almost done. We have completed all tests except life test, and that is under way.

* We will perform multiple high temperature reliability studies at 175C.

Done. We have collected a good deal of data at 175C, 190C and 210C. One thing that we have learned is that while the parts behave well, the test hardware deteriorates rapidly, and frequently fails beyond 2500 hours.

Overall, I think that we have done pretty well. And definitely better than the resolutions I made for myself.

New Product Launch, by Richard Stallkamp, Director of New Product Development

Flash Memories 28F010

Tekmos now offers the TK28F010, a 1024K (128K x 8) Flash Memory, to help solve obsolescence issues. It is a drop-in replacement for other 28F010 that many manufacturers are having trouble locating, due to discontinuance by other suppliers. This nonvolatile, random access Flash Memory is pin for pin compatible with other 28F010 memory. It has the same low current characteristics as other 28F010 memories and retains memory when the power is off. Having a drop-in replacement for parts has shown to be a very cost effective way to extend the life of products when the original component manufacturer discontinues a part. The availability of a drop-in replacement greatly simplifies the decision whether to redesign a printed circuit board or discontinue a product. The 28F010 memory is currently available in 32 plastic lead PLCCs. The 32 pin plastic DIP and the 32 lead TSOP versions can also be made available.

Tekmos continues to be the "go to" supplier when there are problems finding obsolete parts or when additional parts are needed after the date for EOL (End of Life) purchase has passed. Tekmos makes a variety of microcontrollers, microprocessors, and other miscellaneous standard products to satisfy these needs. Tekmos also continues to make custom ASIC replacement parts. Customers are aware that buying from Tekmos ensures pin for pin, drop-in replacements that can be counted on to work in their applications, without worry about the quality of parts purchased on the grey market.

To Learn More...

For more information contact Bob Abrams, Director of Sales@Tekmos.com

or call 512-342-9871.

Tekmos Travels

Bob Abrams, Lynn Reed at Nagoya Castle

Travels to Japan

Bob Abrams and I spent a week in Japan last month. The purpose of the trip was two-fold. First, we had scheduled visits with current customer to review project status. We also visited multiple prospective customers as part of our overall Japanese development strategy. From a business point of view, the trip was quite successful.

We can summarize a business trip as being a plane trip, a hotel, a customer visit, back to the hotel, and then back to the plane. And after a while, all business trips can seem the same. I had decided a while ago to try to incorporate a little tourism into each trip, and this trip was no exception. After all, Japan is an interesting country, and it would be a shame to see nothing more than the inside of a hotel.

On this trip, Bob and I were able to do two tourist things. Being old, I like to see things that are older than I am. So on a side trip to Nagoya, we visited the castle. Originally built in 1612, it has been restored, and is an interesting look into Japan's past. While having a military aspect, is was more of a palace for the Tokugawa family. The castle is topped off by two golden dolphins (Kinshachi), which is a tradition dating back to 1334. Bob and I also had a tea ceremony before we returned to Tokyo.

Bob isn't as old as I, and wanted to see more modern things. So on the last day of our visit, we spent the afternoon looking at ham radio electronics, and then at other consumer electronics in Electronic Town (Akihabara) in Tokyo. I think we were both impressed with the modern toilets on display.

Bob Abrams at The Emperor's Palace

This was the first trip to Japan that I felt totally comfortable in using the subways. I always had a fear that I would become trapped below ground, going in an infinite loop because I could not read the signs for my exit. This time I had an app that told me when and where to change trains. And I learned where to read the station numbers. Once I had that down, we were free to go anywhere.

After that, it was time to come back home.

Meet Tekmos

Kelsey Melhorn, Engineering Intern

How long have you been at Tekmos and what brought you here?

I have been at Tekmos since October 22, 2014. I became interested in working here due to a recommendation from my aunt, Ruth Forkel, who is a consultant for Tekmos.

What are your responsibilities here at Tekmos?

I am responsible for component specifications and designing printed circuit boards (PCBs).

What are your favorite tasks or projects to work on here at Tekmos?

Since I've only been at Tekmos for a short time, my favorite task so far is designing these PCBs.

What Project are you working on now?

I am currently working on a PLCC 32 Pin MCT printed circuit board.

Please tell us about your professional and educational background

I'm from The Woodlands, TX and am currently a 3^rd year student at Texas State University, San Marcos. I am majoring in Manufacturing Engineering with a concentration in Mechanical Systems and a minor in Applied Mathematics. My current GPA is 3.6.
I was an employee for Bath and Body Works premium outlets for almost two years; I became a seasonal manager the last year I was there.
Prior to being hired at Tekmos, I worked at Petsmart a few months.
In my spare time, I enjoy scuba diving, working out at the gym, and spending time with friends & family.

bright fiber optics

Will Grote, Test Operator

How long have you been at Tekmos and what brought your here?

I started working at Tekmos in July, I was referred by a previous employee who I shared a class at Austin Community College Pinnacle with.

What are your responsibilities here at Tekmos?

My responsibility lies on the test floor, I am part of the production phase of Tekmos. I test parts and keep machines running and ensure the product gets out the door.

What are your favorite tasks or projects to work on here at Tekmos?

My favorite tasks are preparing goods to be shipped, and something we call "Shake & Bake", which is the process of transferring parts from test tubes to rails so that we can bake every milligram of moisture out of each part.

What Project are you working on now?

Currently hot testing which essentially does the same function under more extreme conditions, provided the test site is 175� C

Please tell us about your professional and educational background

I Graduated from Austin High school in 2013, I am currently attending Austin Community College and looking forward to transferring to a four year college. I am an Eagle Scout as well as many of my coworkers!

Thank you for reading Tekmos Talks. Contact Bob Abrams, Vice President of Sales & Business Development, call (512) 342-9871 or email Sales for more information on our most recent "tape outs", our "Hot Chips", or our other quality products.

Please share any comments, compliments and or requests by taking part in our Customer Survey provided here for your convenience. Customers come first at Tekmos and we appreciate you.

Sincerely,

Lynn Reed, President

4120 Commercial Center Drive, Suite 400

Austin, TX 78744

Phone: (512) 342-9871

Fax: (512) 342-9873

Email: Sales@Tekmos.com

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