SMT dictionary & SMT abbreviations

In the Surface Mount Technology business there is a lot of abbreviations. 
Some everyone know - others you need to look up.



SMT dictionary & SMT abbreviations

What is AOI?

AMF                 Auto Mount Feedback 

AOI                   Automated Optical Inspection 

AXI                   Automatic X-ray inspection 

BGA                  Ball Grid Array - a type of SMD

CAD                   Computer-Aided Design 

CAM                  Computer-Aided Manufacturing

What does CPH stand for?

CPH                  Components Per Hour

CSP                    Chip Scale Package

CTQ                   Critical To Quality

DFM                 Design For Manufactures

DFT                   Design For Test

DPM                 Defects Per Million Opportunities

EMC                 Electromagnetic Compatibility

EMI                   Electromagnetic interference 

EMT                  Electronic Manufacturing Technology 

What does EMS mean?

EMS                  Electronic Manufacturing Service

ESD                   Electrostatic Discharge 

FOV                  Field of view

FID                     Fiducial mark

IC                        Integrated Circuit

ICT                    In-Circuit Test

IPC                     Institute for Printed Circuits


JEDEC             Joint Electron Device Engineering Council


LCR                   Inductor, Capacitor & Resistor

MLCC              Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor

MSL                   Moisture Sensitivity Level

MSD                  Moisture Sensitive Device

NPI                   New Product Introduction

What does OEM mean? 

OEM                Original Equipment Manufacturer

OSP                   Organic Solderability Preservative

What is a PCB? 

PCB                  Printed Circuit Board

PCBA              Printed Circuit Board Assembled

PGA                  Pin Grid Array

PTH                  Plated Through Hole

PWB                Printed Wiring Board

P&P                  Pick & Place machines for SMD mounting

What is a QFP? 

QFP                  Quad Flat Package

QFN                 Quad Flat No-lead

Reflow              Reflow soldering process

RMA                 Return Material Authorization

RoHS                Restriction of Hazardous Substances 

SIR                    Surface Insulation Resistance

SMA                 Surface-mount assembly (module assembled with SMT)

SMC                 Surface-mount components (components for SMT)

SMD                 Surface Mount Devices

SME                  Surface-mount equipment (SMT assembling machines)

SMEMA          Surface Mount Equipment Manufacturers Association

What does SMT mean? 

SMT                  Surface Mount Technology

SMP                  Surface-mount packages (SMD case forms)

SOJ                   Small Outline J-leaded

SOT                   Small Outline Transistor

SPI                     Solder Paste Inspection

Stencil             Stencil solder printing


TG                        Glass Transition Temperature

THT                  Through Hole Technology (used in connection with soldering)  

TSOP               Thin Small Outline Package


USP                    Uninterrupted Power Supply