Renesas introduces the new RA0 series of ultra-low power entry-level MCUS

Source: Renesas Electronics Author: Renesas Electronics
    Beijing, China, April 9, 2024 - Renesas Electronics (TSE: 6723), a global semiconductor solutions provider, today announced the launch of its ARM-based? Cortex? - RA0 microcontroller (MCU) family of M23 processors. The new 32-bit general-purpose MCU RA0 series provides ultra-low power performance in addition to lower cost.
    The current consumption of the RA0 product is only 84.3μA/MHz in work mode and 0.82mA in sleep mode. In addition, Renesas offers a software standby mode in this new MCU, which further reduces power consumption by 99% to a minimum of 0.2μA. Combined with a fast Wake up High Speed on-chip Oscillator (HOCO), this ultra-low-power MCU is the ideal solution for battery-powered consumer electronics, small appliances, industrial system control and building automation applications. Feature set optimized for low cost
    Renesas has now launched the first product group of the RA0 family: RA0E1. The feature set is optimized for cost-sensitive applications and supports a wide operating voltage range from 1.6V to 5.5V, eliminating the need for level converters/regulators in 5V systems. RA0 MCUS also integrate timers, serial communications, as well as analog, security, and human machine interface (HMI) capabilities to reduce customer BOM costs. In addition, the range is available in a variety of package options, including a 3mm x 3mm miniature 16-pin QFN package.
    The new MCU‘s high precision (±1.0%) on-chip oscillator (HOCO) improves baud rate accuracy, allowing designers to eliminate the need for independent oscillators. In addition, unlike other HOcos, it maintains this accuracy in environments ranging from -40°C to 105°C, and such a wide temperature range eliminates the need for expensive and time-consuming "fine-tuning" even after the reflow process.
    The RA0E1 MCU not only features critical diagnostic security features and the IEC60730 self-test library, but also provides a wealth of safeguards for data security, such as true random number generators (TRNG) and AES libraries, for iot applications including encryption.
    Akihiro Kuroda, Vice President of the Embedded Processing 2nd Division at Renesas said: "As a leader in embedded processing, our customers expect Renesas to build the best solutions for every application. The RA0E1 MCU product family provides the ultra-low power consumption and low cost required for price-sensitive systems, while maintaining functional safety, data security, and design ease. Combined with our recently launched high-performance RA8 family, Renesas can now bring best-in-class MCU solutions to a wide range of customer applications in all regions of the world."
    Paul Williamson, senior vice president and general manager, IoT Line of Business at Arm said: "Low-power iot embedded applications in markets such as industrial automation and smart homes have clear requirements for performance, efficiency and data security. Renesas‘ RA MCU product family, built on Arm technology, currently offers solutions ranging from low-power RA0 MCUS to high-performance AI-powered RA8 products. And all products use a common design environment for easy and fast development and migration." Key features of the RA0E1 MCU product family
    Core: 32MHz Arm Cortex-M23
    Storage: Up to 64KB of integrated code flash and 12KB of SRAM
    Communication peripherals: 3 UART, 1 asynchronous UART, 3 simplified SPIs, 1 IIC, 3 Simplified Iics
    Functional security: SRAM parity, invalid memory access detection, frequency detection, A/D testing, immutable storage, CRC calculator, register write protection
    Data security: Unique ID, TRNG, flash read protection
    Package: 16, 24 and 32 pin QFN, 20 pin LSSOP, 32 pin LQFP
    The new RA0E1 product group MCU is powered by Renesas Flexible Configuration Package (FSP). FSP speeds up application development by bringing all the infrastructure software needed, including multiple RTOS, BSPS, peripheral drivers, middleware, connectivity, networking, and security stacks, as well as reference software for building complex AI, motor control, and cloud solutions. It allows customers to integrate their own existing code and selected RTOS with the FSP, creating full flexibility for application development. With FSP, customers can easily migrate existing designs to the larger RA family of products according to their needs.
Successful product portfolio  
    Renesas has combined the new RA0E1 product group MCUS with numerous compatible devices in its portfolio to create a broad "portfolio of successful products," including HVAC environmental monitoring modules for public buildings. These "winning portfolios" are based on products that are compatible and work together seamlessly, with a technologically proven system architecture that results in optimized, low-risk designs to accelerate time to market. Renesas now offers more than 400 "Portfolio Successes" based on the various products in its product lineup, enabling customers to accelerate the design process and bring products to market faster. For more information, please visit renesas.com/win.
Embedded World 2024 Exhibition information
    For a live demonstration of the new RA0 MCU, visit Renesas at Embedded World 2024 (Hall 1, Booth 234) from April 9-11 in Nuremberg, Germany.
Supply information
    The RA0E1 product group MCU, FSP software and RA0E1 Rapid Prototyping Board are now available. Samples and kits can be ordered on the Renesas website or through distributors. More information about the new MCU products is available at renesas.com/RA0E1.
Renesas MCU benefits
    As the world‘s preeminent supplier of MCU products, Renesas has shipped an average of more than 3.5 billion MCUS annually in recent years, of which about 50% are used in the automotive sector and the rest are used in industrial, Internet of Things, and data center and communications infrastructure. With a broad portfolio of 8-bit, 16-bit and 32-bit products, Renesas Electronics is the industry‘s leading supplier of 16-bit and 32-bit MCUS, delivering products with outstanding quality, efficiency and performance. At the same time, Renesas is a trusted supplier with decades of MCU design experience, backed by a dual-source production model, industry-leading MCU process technology, and a vast system of more than 250 ecosystem partners. For more information about Renesas Electronic MCUS, please visit renesas.com/MCUs.
About Renesas Electronics
    Renesas Electronics (TSE: 6723), technology makes life easier and is committed to building a safer, smarter and more sustainable future. As a global microcontroller provider, Renesas combines expertise in embedded processing, analog, power and connectivity to provide complete semiconductor solutions. The successful portfolio accelerates the market for automotive, industrial, infrastructure and iot applications, empowering billions of connected smart devices to improve the way people work and live. For more information, visit renesas.com. Follow Renesas electronic wechat public account to discover more exciting content.