Pin compatibility

In <a href="/facts/Electronics/E4JhgISq">electronics</a>, pin-compatible devices are <a href="/facts/Electronic_component/F3NBVv4Q">electronic components</a>, generally <a href="/facts/Integrated_circuit/fjn6vg7C">integrated circuits</a> or <a href="/facts/Expansion_card/QkWAPnxJ">expansion cards</a>, sharing a common <a href="/facts/Footprint_(electronics)/SQHRFnAY">footprint</a> and with the same functions assigned or usable on the same <a href="/facts/Lead_(electronics)/nW8ICkYs">pins</a>. Pin compatibility is a property desired by <a href="/facts/Systems_integrator/z7NkflzJ">systems integrators</a> as it allows a product to be updated without redesigning <a href="/facts/Printed_circuit_board/muSR2p43">printed circuit boards</a>, which can reduce costs and decrease <a href="/facts/Time_to_market/zfJzIQBN">time to market</a>.
Although devices which are pin-compatible share a common footprint, they are not necessarily electrically or thermally compatible. As a result, manufacturers often specify devices as being either pin-to-pin or drop-in compatible. Pin-compatible devices are generally produced to allow upgrading within a single <a href="/facts/Product_line/CXJV5fV9">product line</a>, to allow <a href="/facts/End-of-life_(product)/LaKyw5RU">end-of-life</a> devices to be replaced with newer equivalents, or to compete with the equivalent products of other manufacturers.

Pin compatibility open-in-new

Pin compatibility