The sixth generation iPod Nano, featuring a touchscreen, has brought sexy back to Apple’s MP3 players after a period of relative quiet. This teardown will reveal some new devices that we haven’t seen identified by others, and display the relevant die markings. Notable findings include the touchscreen controller by Cypress Semiconductor, package-on-package (PoP) assembly containing the Apple processor and Samsung DRAM, the first of its kind 2 mm x 2 mm 3-axis MEMS accelerometer by STMicroelectronics, and a dedicated FM tuner.
| Package-on-package (PoP) Processor Chip
One side of the circuit board features the Apple branded processor. It is notable that most of the chips on this board are either Apple branded or have no obvious markings. The lower chip in the PoP processor stack is the main microprocessor, manufactured by Samsung for Apple, with part number N2N05M03. Shown here is the top side markings. In the previous, fifth generation of the Apple iPod Nano, this processor chip measured 6.7 mm x 7.2 mm (48.24 mm2), while the new, sixth generation Apple iPod Nano’s chip size is reduced by approximately 48%, measuring a small 5.6 mm x 4.5 mm (23.53 mm2). We suspect that this processor has been redesigned for manufacturing on a Samsung 45 nm CMOS line to allow for more functionality, smaller size, and lower overall cost. But we’ll be confirming and reporting on this later. Processor die markings shown. The second chip in the PoP is the mobile 512 Mb DRAM from Samsung, part number K4X51323PI. Here are the confirming die markings. |
| Touchscreen Controller
As mentioned, the touchscreen controller chip for the Nano is designed and fabricated by Cypress Semiconductor. The package for this device has an Apple part number 337S3907.This is the first time we have seen a Cypress device in one of Apple’s handheld products, although its components have been used previously by Apple in the MacBooks. We now see Apple using multiple vendors for touchscreen controllers: Broadcom, Cypress, and Texas Instruments. Who will be next? Atmel, Synaptics? We will wait and see.The Cypress touchscreen controller die markings show that it is one of Cypress’s standard Capsense devices. We have done a functional analysis on a different version in the same family. See the Cypress Semiconductor CY8CTMA301EEA-3 Touchscreen Controller Functional Analysis Report |
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| 3 Axis Accelerometer
The 3-axis accelerometer is by STMicroelectronics, the first of its 3-axis accelerometers seen to date in a tiny 2 mm x 2 mm package. STMicroelectronics continues to keep Apple happy, as this is yet another great design win for STMicroelectornics in Apple products.Chipworks has completed both process and layout analysis on this device.X-ray images of the 3-axis accelerometer. The interface chip is stacked on top of the MEMS part. Note the tight wiring profile to achieve the small package size. The 3-axis accelerometer interface chip die markings. |
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| FM Tuner
This is the second time Chipworks has found a dedicated FM tuner inside an Apple Nano. As in the fifth generation Nano, this FM tuner was designed and fabricated by Silicon Laboratories, one of the world’s leaders in FM tuners. This tuner is the SI4706-D50 FM tuner, and is another great piece of technology packed into a die measuring only 1.8 mm x 1.6 mm.SiLabs 4706-D50 block diagram – illustrating a lot of circuit design technology in a very small package.FM tuner die markings. |
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Other devices included on the other side of the circuit board:
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Reports on technology found in the sixth generation iPod Nano:
Cypress Semiconductor CY8CTMA301EEA-3 Touch Screen Controller Functional Analysis Report
STMicroelectronics (Apple A2L) 2 mm x 2 mm Accelerometer Process and Layout Analysis
