The ic packages are getting rediculous, end of hobbie?

[Sigmoid]

2) The alternative method. Make a PCB with a layout matching that in the datasheet but with a single 1mm via in the middle of each pad going through to a matching pad on the other side. Holding the chip down on the PCB solder the pad on the other side and let some of the solder wick through the via until it makes contact with the chip. Solder resist around the pads should prevent any problems.

3) You could dead bug it with thin insulated wires. It would be painful, but not altogether impossible.

4) Design a throughhole breakout board, group up with others on-line, and order a batch of it from a workshop that does pick&place.

[smjcuk]

You could dead bug it but if you blow it up, think of the pain.

[tom66]

The pads are also there to help remove heat from the silicon inside, so dead bugging wouldn't work unless you found some other way to keep the package cool.

[langwadt]

Also components that are most useful for hobbyists will be mounted on little breakout boards and sold by hobby friendly suppliers. It might mean that hobbyists miss out on some of the more exotic ICs but solutions will be found to most obstacles I'm sure.

yeh, I'm sure those who did point to point wiring of tubes, thought DIP packages and PCBs was
simply impossible to do at home

[tggzzz]

How would I deal with this package?

1) The proper way, make a PCB with a layout matching that in the datasheet then get a stencil prepared and put the right amount of solder past on. Then put it through a reflow oven.

However............

I don't have a stencil or a reflow oven as I solder all of my surface mount parts by hand using a microscope.

So....................

2) The alternative method. Make a PCB with a layout matching that in the datasheet but with a single 1mm via in the middle of each pad going through to a matching pad on the other side. Holding the chip down on the PCB solder the pad on the other side and let some of the solder wick through the via until it makes contact with the chip. Solder resist around the pads should prevent any problems.

Stencils and ovens aren't necessary. See https://entertaininghacks.wordpress.com/tag/pcb/ for my experiences. Hint: easier and more successful than I expected.

[amyk]

I have seen these on WD hard disk controllers.

At that point you might as well use a BGA...

[Fsck]

I have seen these on WD hard disk controllers.

At that point you might as well use a BGA...

it's like double the effort

[pickle9000]

The beauty of the hobbyist is they don't know you can't do things without specialized gear. They figure it out anyway.

Using a frying pan to solder is crazy, but it's done and it works.

Now to be honest any good EE is also and will always be a hobbyist.

[Muxr]

I've abandoned far less complex packages for being a pain to work with. I suppose it's not too bad once you decide to produce a final product and you get the proper stencil, but sometimes I just want to prototype with a part and not having a feasible way to break it out is a show stopper, for me at least.