ALTERA Corporation 8/26/96 ADV9617
CUSTOMER ADVISORY
DATE CODE FORMAT
Effective immediately, Altera will adopt a six character date code format. This advisory
summarizes and explains the format of Altera’s date codes on the top-side mark and on
the bar code labels.
PCNs 9501 and 9612 issued Jan’95 and Jun’96, respectively, announced Altera’s intent
to test devices offshore. As Altera expands its test operations world-wide, it becomes
increasingly important to maintain complete traceability by identifying the test locations
on individual units, as well as on bar-code labels affixed to boxes.
The five character top mark date-code has now been universally expanded to six, so as to
uniquely identify the test location via the first character. Altera’s bar-code labeling
software has also been upgraded to support a six character date code on the bar code
labels affixed to boxes. The new labels will continue to maintain compatibility with the
EIA format.
Altera’s six character date code format (XZYYWW) will be as follows:
X
(ALPHA)
Z
(ALPHA)
YY
(NUMERIC
)
WW
(NUMERIC)
TEST LOCATION DIE REVISION YEAR WORK WEEK
A ALTERA, USA
B ASE, MALAYSIA
C ANAM, KOREA
... TBA
During an initial transition period, some date codes may appear with 5 characters.
Please contact your local Altera sales representative if you require additional information,
or assistance regarding the changes described in this advisory.
