Reduced manufacturing costs because no physical connector is required on the PCB
Smaller PCB’s which are easier to work with: Tag-Connect has a tiny footprint and can be placed right next to the MCU.
An Off-the-Shelf ICD cable: No need to make another custom debug cable!
Reduced manufacturing costs
See how using Tag-Connect in your manufacturing process will reduce your costs. The RJ12 prices given are for guidance. Remember that in addition to these figures, overstocking, under stocking, not having components when you need them, and DIY cable creation if you’ve adopted an ad-hoc solution, all carry their own costs.
| Connection Method | Cost $ |
|---|---|
| Tag-Connect TC2030-MCP* | 0.00** |
| Tag-Connect TC2030-MCP-NL* | 0.00** |
| RJ12 (one-off purchase) | 0.82 |
| RJ12 (bulk purchase) | 0.36 |
*The differences between the two Tag-Connect models are explained in Which Tag-Connect.
**The marginal cost of using Tag-Connect – the extra cost per board you incur by incorporating the Tag-Connect footprint – is zero.
For example, let’s say you are producing 10,000 PCBs each of which will incorporate an RJ12 connector for programming. And say your unit cost for the RJ12s is $0.36. The saving you will achieve by using tag-Connect is:
10,000 x 0.36 = $3,600
Smaller PCBs
Tag-Connect can reduce the area of your PCB taken up with the connection for programming by as much as 0.5Sq In. (Using the TC2030-MCP-NL for production programming.) A tremendous advantage where PCBs may have a total area of only 1sq In.
| Connection Method | Area Sq Inch |
|---|---|
| Tag-Connect TC2030-MCP* | 0.09** |
| Tag-Connect TC2030-MCP-NL* | 0.02** |
| RJ12 | 0.52 |
*The differences between the two Tag-Connect models are explained in Which Tag-Connect.
