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BQ40Z50-R1: BQ40Z50-R1

Part Number: BQ40Z50-R1
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: BQSTUDIO, , BQ40Z50

Tool/software:

When reading 0x16 BatteryStatus(), EC3,EC2,EC1,EC0 (Bits 3–0): Error Code = UNKNOWN ERROR. All other bits are set as expected and reading/writing other registers return valid data.

After sending a DeviceReset() and then doing a read 0x16 BatteryStatus(), it returns EC3,EC2,EC1,EC0 (Bits 3–0) = 0.

Then doing another read of BatteryStatus(), EC3,EC2,EC1,EC0 (Bits 3–0) = UNKNOWN ERROR again.

Any ideas on what might be causing UNKNOWN ERROR to get set or what other registers we might be able to read that might help figure it out? 

Looked through numerous other POSTS on this topic but it is not obvious why UNKNOWN ERROR would be set.

Thanks

  • Hi Tricia,

    If possible, can you please share a bqStudio log file from the time of reset (EC3-EC0 = 0) to the time the Unknown Error is produced? Also, please send the .gg file of the gauge settings as well.

    Regards,

    Anthony

  • Hi Anthony,

    Unfortunately I am not using bqStudio to be able to provide you the files you requested. We have a vendor supplied 2S5P battery pack with a battery board  from PHD that is using a BQ40Z50-R1 chip. We are using a Renesas S5D9 chip that reads/writes to the SMBUS registers. I am able to single step and look at the processor IIC registers and am not seeing any errors.  It is interesting that the other bits in the Status register are valid for when we are charging, fully charged, alarms, etc. but the Unknown bits are set until a DeviceReset() and then return. Also the values from reading 0x08, 0x09, 0x0D, 0x11 registers are valid. Are there any registers that I could read that might provide any insight? Or any other suggestions you might have?

    Thanks,

    Tricia

  • Hi Tricia,

    From the time that the device is reset and BatteryStatus() is called for the first time to the time that the second BatteryStatus() is called with the Unknown Error, are there any commands being sent at this time?

    Can you also tell us what version of the firmware is being used currently?

    Regards,

    Anthony

  • Hi Anthony,

    Originally there were other commands being sent for reading volts, capacity, etc in between the read status. I modified the code so only read status' are being performed and still get the UNKNOWN ERROR bits being set. If I resetdevice, the subsequent read status does not have the bits set, but will on the next read status.

    Reading the FIRMWARE VERSION - VVvv = 1, 6

    Thanks,

    Tricia

  • Hi Tricia,

    If possible, can you please try using the latest firmware version of the bq40z50 and see if the issue persists? The latest firmware version can be found below:

    https://www.ti.com/tool/BQ40Z50-DEVICE-FW 

    Regards,

    Anthony

  • Hi Anthony,

    When I read a 1.6 version - does that mean I have a bq40z50-R1 version of FW? What version will I read if the battery pack was updated to the latest FW? I only saw a 2.08 in the R2 release notes, nothing afterwards. Do they update to a version 3.x for R3 FW and then 4.x for the R4 FW? I didn't at first realize that the latest BQ40Z50  firmware is a firmware-only release that can be flashed onto ANY existing BQ40Z50 hardware and may have updates/fixes to the SMBUS that may resolve my issue? I originally thought an R4 FW was only for an R4 device. 

    It would be helpful if all the updates for each FW release were included in the release notes.

    Unfortunately the battery pack is sealed except for a connector that is used for charging and SMBUS communications - it is from a vendor. I will ping our vendor to see if they can update to a newer version for me to try.

    Regards,

    Tricia

  • Hello,

    Today is a national holiday. We will get back to you later this week.

    Regards,

    BMS Apps Team

  • Hi Tricia,

    When I read a 1.6 version - does that mean I have a bq40z50-R1 version of FW? What version will I read if the battery pack was updated to the latest FW? I only saw a 2.08 in the R2 release notes, nothing afterwards. Do they update to a version 3.x for R3 FW and then 4.x for the R4 FW? I didn't at first realize that the latest BQ40Z50  firmware is a firmware-only release that can be flashed onto ANY existing BQ40Z50 hardware and may have updates/fixes to the SMBUS that may resolve my issue? I originally thought an R4 FW was only for an R4 device. 

    Yes, that means the bq40z50-R1 firmware is currently on the device. If the most recent version of the firmware is programmed to the device, then the version number should be V5.03. Sorry for the confusion regarding this, I will reach out to our team to make this more apparent.

    Unfortunately the battery pack is sealed except for a connector that is used for charging and SMBUS communications - it is from a vendor. I will ping our vendor to see if they can update to a newer version for me to try.

    Understood, please let us know if there are any new updates.

    Regards,

    Anthony

  • Hi Anthony,

    Have other customers updated to a newer FW version and had the "UNKNOWN ERROR" resolved?

    When I look at the FW changelist for R2->R3, there is an entry for "New Error Code for SMBus Protocol Violations"

    and R3->R4 changelist has an entry  for "Enable SMBus Auto NACK only for initial command phase"

    If a bq40z50-r1 part numbered Li-Ion Battery Pack Manager device is updated with the latest FW (5.03), will these 2 SMBUS changelist items be supported and  included with this R1 device?

    Our vendor is also confused by the R1,R2,R3, R4, R5 FW versions and thinks they refer to different part numbers.

    Thanks,

    Tricia

  • Hi Tricia,

    It is difficult to determine exactly what is causing the Unknown Error flag, however since the R5 firmware is more recent there is a chance that the issue that you are having was covered in the firmware update. I would like to confirm whether the issue you are having still persists on the R5 firmware.

    If a bq40z50-r1 part numbered Li-Ion Battery Pack Manager device is updated with the latest FW (5.03), will these 2 SMBUS changelist items be supported and  included with this R1 device?

    Yes, if the R5 firmware is loaded to the bq40z50-R1 these changes will be available to the device. Just to confirm, does the Renesas S5D9 chip you are using support clock stretching for SMBus?

    Regards,

    Anthony