SMD (Surface Mount Device) / SMT (Surface Mount Technology)

Here's a view on common SMDs (Surface Mount Devices).

SMD resistors

SMD resistors come into several possible case sizes. Each size is described as a 4 digits number. The first 2 digits indicate the length; the last 2 indicate the width (in 0.01", or 10 mils units).

For example, the three most popular sizes are:

• 0603: means 0.06"x0.03", or 60x30 mils, or 1.6x0.8mm
• 0805: means 0.08"x0.05"
• 1206: means 0.12"x0.06"

SMD capacitors

Capacitors from 1pF to 1uF are available in the same sizes, 0603 to 1206.
The most popular technology is ceramic.

SMD Tantalum capacitors

Tantalum capacitors are the technology of choice for 1uF and higher values.
Case sizes are indicated by a letter from "A" to "E".

Case	L x W x H (mm)
A	3.2x1.6x1.6
B	3.5x2.8x1.9
C	6.0x3.2x2.5
D	7.3x4.3x2.8
E	7.3x6.0x3.6

Tantalum capacitors are polarized; a bar on the case indicates the positive side.

SMD transistors

The most popular size for small-signal transistor is called "SOT-23".
The second most popular is "SOT-223".

SMD Integrated Circuits ("ICs")

The two most popular sizes are "SO-8" and "SO-14" (also named "SOIC-8" and "SOIC-16").

SMD FPGAs

Nowadays, there are three popular packages:

• TQFP (Thin Quad Flat Pack), 100 or 144 pins.
• PQFP (Plastic Quad Flat Pack), 208 or 240 pins.
• BGA (Ball-Grid Array), 256 to 1000+ pins.

SMD QFPs

TQFPs 100 pins and 144 pins are reasonably easy to solder manually, because the pins are sturdy.
PQFPs 208 pins and 240 pins are not as easy because the pins bend very easily.

Pins are separated by 0.5mm.
See below for tutorials and links about soldering these components.

SMD BGAs

The bottom of a BGA component is actually a circuit board, with pads covered by solder balls (that's what you can see on the above picture).
The BGA balls are not made of solid metal but of solder paste, solid at room temperature, but during board assembly, the BGA goes through an oven, melting the balls between the BGA circuit board and the customer circuit board.

Balls are commonly separated by 1mm or 1.27mm, less often by 0.8mm.
Soldering and desoldering usually require special equipment.

How to solder SMDs

You need the following equipment:

1. A temperature-regulated ("thermo-regulated") solder iron with a small tip.
2. A flux dispenser, in bottle or pen form.
3. Tweezers, to hold the components while soldering them.
4. Solderwick, to clean up excess solder.

Explanations:

1. A temperature-regulated solder iron stays at a constant temperature, no matter if used to solder light or heavy loads. That's different than a simpler (and cheaper) power-regulated iron. A power-regulated iron might get too hot when not in used, and too cold when in heavy use.
2. Flux is essential to solder SMDs. Most solder contain a flux core already, which may have been adequate for yesterday's soldering jobs, but SMD soldering requires additional source of flux to get good soldering quality. The flux is used to reduce the oxidation of the solder (happens very quickly at soldering temperatures). It allows the solder to flow easily and make good solder joins.

For more info, check this forum topic, as well as the links posted below.

Links

• Drawings about many SMD packages in the Selection Guide by Package Type page from National Semiconductor.
• A goldmine of information on SMT in this Surface mounted devices repairs (PDF).
• Beginners guide on SMDs soldering:
  • Surface Mount Soldering Procedure (PDF)
  • Surface Mount Soldering (PDF)
  • Soldering SMT Parts
• Using solder paste in Have you seen my new soldering Iron?, from the Seattle Robotics Society.
• An illustrated SMD Soldering Guide by Infidigm

---

This page was last updated on October 01 2007.