Hello Everyone,
I made a PCB as a breakout board to a BGA IC. Around the IC, I've some passive components, crystal, inductor etc. I wanted it to be used with a PGA socket just for convenience. I've 60 pins total, 57 is the minimum possible.
I am using both sides of the PCB for these components.
Initially I used 2.54mm pitch standard male dual-row pins shown as below. The outline is 10x9, not a square.
![](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/eda/making-a-pga-chip-like-pcb-module/?action=dlattach;attach=1605784;image)
My pin configuration is shown below, I have 60 pins in total with some redundant pins, I can go down to 57.
![](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/eda/making-a-pga-chip-like-pcb-module/?action=dlattach;attach=1605790;image)
So for the next revision I am considering to use 9x9 outline to make it square, with a 1 pin placed at inside:
![](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/eda/making-a-pga-chip-like-pcb-module/?action=dlattach;attach=1605796;image)
I found some vendors manufacturing custom PGA sockets. Even with male-male pins shown as below (left)
![](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/eda/making-a-pga-chip-like-pcb-module/?action=dlattach;attach=1605802;image)
,For the carrier (main) board, user can use a PGA female socket or directly solder to the PCB
Also the overall stack-up height is reduced.
![](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/eda/making-a-pga-chip-like-pcb-module/?action=dlattach;attach=1605808;image)
Anyway, I was thinking about my other/better options.
I realized that some of the custom socket manufacturers are actually making some sort of FR4 PCB as a socket adapter:
![](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/eda/making-a-pga-chip-like-pcb-module/?action=dlattach;attach=1605820;image)
So I started to think about having these pins directly on my PCB.
I checked Digikey to find pins like shown above, but I am not sure which pin to order. Having combined pins would be nicer.
Also I am afraid, having individual pins assembled may be problematic for the assembly house.
![](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/eda/making-a-pga-chip-like-pcb-module/?action=dlattach;attach=1605814;image)
And of course total number of pins is 57; even at 20cent/pin price ends up at a very high total cost...
What do you suggest for this kind of breakout board?
I want to make this breakout board :
- manufacturable
- not costly
- easy to use by hobbyists without needing too much soldering skills
- both directly soldering and a low-cost socket compatible
![](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/eda/making-a-pga-chip-like-pcb-module/?action=dlattach;attach=1605826;image)