Greenpak, Renesas - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: gnuarm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2022, 07:17:54 am
content: I'm looking at using Greenpak in a design I respinning and I'm not grasping some of the technical details.This part would be a catchall, combining several discrete functions into one part. The functions that could be useful include, LDOs, 5/3V interface, Opamps, variable resistors, and inverter.Greenpak has a opamp part with variable resistors, SLG47004, but it's a bit hard to tell just how they might be used. I think the opamps and resistors simply connect to I/O pins without internal connections. The variable resistors appear to be set via an I2C interface. There also seems to be some set up for the opamps as well. This part would likely operate at 3.3V Vdd but could use 5V. It has internal programmable logic, but I see no indication it could serve as a 5V to 3.3V level shifter.Another interesting part is the SLG46580 with 4 LDOs. This also has internal logic, but the only analog seems to be comparators. Again, I can't tell if this chip could be used for the 5V to 3.3V level shifter.Part of the utility of these parts would be in treating them as "custom" parts with a user component number and no manufacturer markings. Does GreenPak do that? Can I provide a programming file, and have Greenpak (Renesas) program them at the factory?

author: Wolfram
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2022, 03:02:28 pm
content: The configurator tool will allow you to experiment with configurations without needing access to the hardware, I found it to be a bit more useful than the datasheets in showing the features and limitations of each device. It is a bit quirky to use though.Renesas do offer a programming service, but I haven't seen any info on cost, minimum quantity or NRE cost.

author: gnuarm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2022, 01:09:48 am
content: Thanks for the info. I'm still busy with the current board production, but I'll be ready to go at this at a full clip in another couple of weeks, and will try the software.I just would like to hear back from an FAE or someone.BTW, my customer has indicated that rather than 1,000 units in '23, they are thinking more like 18,000. That's a big difference. I will be needing to focus on this before too long.

author: gnuarm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2022, 05:27:09 am
content: I've been looking at the Greenpak devices and there are several parts I could use. As it turns out, the ability to put multiple small functions in the devices is not so useful. I've found three simple functions I could use, but they are all in separate devices. LOL So much for combining functions into a single part.I have zero interest in programming these myself on the board. I would want them preprogrammed.What would be very interesting to me is to make one or two of these parts as private label parts. No Renesas markings, no Greenpak markings, just a private part number. Anyone know if Renesas can do that?

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2022, 06:15:17 am
content: That SLG47004 does look pretty interesting for analog stuff. It packs a lot of analog/digital stuff into one tiny chip for just $1 to $2 per chip.Anyone has experience with using these things?

author: gnuarm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2022, 03:33:19 pm
content: I'm trying to figure out exactly how pre-programmed parts are marked. The data sheet makes it look like the markings are purely information, mostly of the customer's design (part ID/rev) and date/lot codes. Doesn't look like much room for a company name or logo.I can't find an actual photo anywhere.

author: gnuarm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2022, 05:08:44 pm
content: It has been several weeks now and I have made contact with several representatives of Renesas and distributors, but still with little results. I realize that an annual volume of 20,000 devices are not anything significant for a $1 or $2 part, but still... I would think they would let me speak withsomeone.I may need to generate a design for them to look at. They seem to be design oriented. Normally companies want to know all the business details before they will bother with the technical matters. Everyone I've spoken to seem to think I should generate a design and send it through the web site.It seems like the acquisition by Renesas has not been good for Dialog. Not only is it hard to find anyone to support their products, it is hard to find much info. The Renesas web site is terrible and many existing links in searches lead to the Dialog site which has been taken over by Renesas, of course, but are dead links now, instead of leading to something useful. That seems like a very brain dead why to manage a purchase. Like dropping phone numbers without a forward to a working number.

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2022, 05:21:13 am
content: We had a random marketing visit from EBW (One of Renesases distributors here) and they talked about GreenPak too.Supposedly they can sell us some of these chips in single digit cent prices for bulk orders. The chips are also supposed to be reprogramable by loading in a image into RAM for development, or can be made into a finalized chip by burning it into OTP ROM.So what you get with the factory programed ones are supposedly just the chips with a OTP ROM image already burned in and they claim a turnaround time for custom programmed chips is 1 week.I haven't looked into the software for it, but i can probably get more information via them.

author: julian1
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2022, 05:51:21 am
content: Someone even went to trouble to add Greenpak as a target for Yosys. A generic verilog would be attractive, versus the proprietary dev toolkit (GUI based? ) - if the richer hardware features were not needed.https://siliconexposed.blogspot.com/2016/05/open-verilog-flow-for-silego-greenpak4.htmlIt's getting a bit old now, without much evidence of use, or acknowledgement.

author: julian1
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2022, 06:49:32 am
content: Some code examples, including analog,https://github.com/azonenberg/openfpga/tree/master/tests/greenpak4/slg46620v

author: gnuarm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2022, 08:12:43 am
content: They make it clear that the OTP parts can be factory programmed and obviously not changed (other than loading in a new RAM content through the serial port). It's not completely clear if the multiple time programmed parts can be factory programmed.I seem to recall the multiple time programmed parts don't have a large number of reprogramings according to the spec sheet. Am I wrong about this?