mmm, with regard to the TMS9901NL's from Po**da, I have also received a number of the DBS 8815 marked chips (10). I is somewhat doubtful that TI was still manufacturing the original TMS9901NL in 1988..?
Careful inspection shows:
- Clean black tops with labelling that is questonable in regard to authenticity (refer stargunner's posts)
- Injection mold marks etc. seem to be as they should be
- Underneath of chips vary, and some indicate some stress from being subjected to heat/desoldering, general usage in equipment etc. In contrast to the tops
- Legs are shiny, dipped in solder - small nicks and defects in some when examined under a magnifying glass, but covered in shiny solder;
- Pin orientation straightened to resemble manufacturers spec sheet or close;
- Like stargunner mentioned, some light printing on the underside, mostly all rubbed off.
- Two chips still legible with printing 'D9902S/17251 SINGAPORE' and 'D9902S/1**47 SINGAPORE' (? 2nd one difficult to read). Does not look like it is printed to stay on long term.
My theory is that at least some of these may be real chips (or even some completely different chip in some cases?) that have been recovered from e-waste via various desoldering techniques. sorted and temporarily stamped on underneath with identifying chip, legs straightened, dipped in solder... Later (quite some time later) assembled into a large batch, tops cleaned and oversprayed with new identification 'DBS8815 PHILIPPINES'.. distributed for sale.
The 'S' in the underside suffix of 'S' may also give us some clues? ... D9902S American Microsystems Inc. was a alternative source supplier of TMS9902 ACC compatible chips. Theirs was called an S9902 in their Winter 1979 product catalog. https://usermanual.wiki/Document/1979AMIMOSProducts.1693266659.pdf ( 5.44 (p326) )
I am yet to discover whether any or all of them work per spec (will report in a few weeks or over Xmas holidays). It is possible that some work, others may not.
Has anyone verified whether their batch of purported TMS9902 'DBS 8815' actually function per spec?