To designate the stages in the product development cycle, TI assigns prefixes to all part numbers and/or date-code. Each device has one of three prefixes/identifications: X, P, or null (no prefix) (for example, X is in preview; therefore, an X prefix/identification is assigned).

Device development evolutionary flow:

Production devices have been characterized fully, and the quality and reliability of the device have been demonstrated fully. TI's standard warranty applies.

Predictions show that prototype devices (X or P) have a greater failure rate than the standard production devices. Texas Instruments recommends that these devices not be used in any production system because their expected end-use failure rate still is undefined. Only qualified production devices are to be used.

TI device nomenclature also includes a suffix with the device family name. This suffix indicates the package type (for example, RHA).

For orderable part numbers of devices in the RHA (6mm × 6mm) package type, see the Package Option Addendum of this document, the Device Information in Section 3, the TI website (www.ti.com), or contact your TI sales representative.

Figure 7-1 Device Nomenclature