How to reverse engineer an analog chip: the TDA7000 FM radio receiver

This article explores the reverse engineering process of the TDA7000 FM radio receiver chip, the first FM radio integrated circuit. It details the structure and function of its key components—transistors, resistors, and capacitors—while explaining techniques for examining the die, circuit operation, and the challenges of layout in a single-layer metal chip. The author elaborates on critical analog circuits like differential amplifiers and current mirrors, and compares NPN and PNP transistors, also discussing operational concepts like FM modulation and detection. The post serves as both a technical resource and personal reflection on the reverse engineering journey, making it valuable for electronics enthusiasts and engineers alike.