Replacing multiple analog and digital components with a single programmable IC.
by Dima Mymrikov, Senior Director, Product Marketing at Renesas Electronics
The introduction of AnalogPAK SLG47011 is a leap forward in the GreenPAK family of programmable mixed-signal devices from Renesas Electronics.
The modern mixed-signal integrated circuit (IC) market requires solutions with a high degree of integration of analog and digital blocks, flexible configurability, and compact dimensions. AnalogPAK meets all these criteria. The SLG47011 is the most complex part in this family, combining even more advanced digital logic and analog components, including an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), digital-to-analog converter (DAC), programmable gain amplifier (PGA), multichannel digital comparator, data buffers, MathCore (to perform arithmetic and logical operations on analog and digital signals), and more, all within a 2x2mm package.
Key features and industry implications
The SLG47011’s feature set makes it a flexible component for many applications:
14-bit 1Msps successive approximation register (SAR) ADC with PGA: The ADC is a crucial block to provide analog signal digitization, essential for such applications as accurate monitoring and signal control. To interface the ADC with a signal source, the SLG47011 integrates a highly configurable PGA with user-selectable modes and gain settings.
Digital signal processing: The new SLG47011 features a set of data processing blocks that allow users to perform data processing operations of varying complexity, from signal averaging to complex function generation, using a 12-bit 4096-word look-up table.
Low power consumption: The SLG47011 supports several power modes to save power consumption (with a consumption of <1 uA in the sleep mode). Operating with low power makes the SLG47011 a great fit for battery-powered and portable electronics, addressing the growing market demand for energy-efficient solutions.
Market trends and adoption
The SLG47011device aligns with several key trends as follows.
Integration and differentiation: Modern technology designers strive to introduce unique and complex solutions. SLG47011 has rich analog and digital resources. In addition, to the ADC, PGA, 12-bit DAC and analog comparator (ACMP), it supports both SPI and I2C interfaces and has the highest number of timer blocks in the GreenPAK family. This allows engineers to create more sophisticated designs.
Miniaturization: Devices are now more compact, needing smaller components with higher integration. The SLG47011’s 2×2 mm 16-PIN QFN footprint meets this requirement, making it attractive for space-constrained designs.
Rapid prototyping and customization: The SLG47011 can be easily designed and prototyped in a free GUI-based hub. This lets designers quickly iterate design versions, make fast edits using the built-in simulation tool, and program the parts for testing, reducing time-to-market by several weeks.
Cost efficiency: By replacing multiple analog and digital components in the BOM with a single IC, the SLG47011 (or any other GreenPAK) reduces assembly complexity and the overall cost.
Conclusion
The new AnalogPAK SLG47011 introduces an important step forward in the evolution of GreenPAK programmable mixed-signal ICs, embodying the industry’s shift toward greater integration, flexibility, and efficiency. It presents an opportunity to improve design practices across various sectors, encouraging the adoption of more integrated solutions. As the industry continues to evolve, components like the SLG47011 will play a pivotal role in defining the capabilities and overcoming limitations for next-generation consumer and industrial devices.