Economical 32-Bit-General-Purpose-Microcontroller

External oscillator and level shifter unnecessary Economical 32-Bit-General-Purpose-Microcontroller

2024-04-16 From Michael Eckstein | Translated by AI 3 min Reading Time

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With its new MCU series, Renesas is targeting low-cost applications for consumer electronics, electrical appliances, industrial system controls, and building automations. The manufacturer focuses on sensible features and precision peripheral functions.

In software standby mode, the new MCUs reduce their power consumption to a record-breaking 0.2 µA. At the same time, Renesas promises a short wake-up time thanks to the integrated High-Speed-On-Chip Oscillator (HOCO).(Image: Renesas Electronics) — In software standby mode, the new MCUs reduce their power consumption to a record-breaking 0.2 µA. At the same time, Renesas promises a short wake-up time thanks to the integrated High-Speed-On-Chip Oscillator (HOCO).
(Image: Renesas Electronics)

RA0 is what Renesas Electronics calls its new series of 32-bit general-purpose microcontrollers based on Arm's Cortex-M23 processor. According to the manufacturer, its feature set is optimized for price-sensitive applications. In combination with the integrated high-speed on-chip oscillator (HOCO), the ultra-low power MCUs are suitable for many applications, especially for battery-powered consumer electronics and electric small appliances as well as industrial system controls and building automation.

The first models now being shipped, named RA0E1, are said to have the industry's lowest total power consumption: in active operation, power consumption is reportedly 84.3 μA/MHz, in sleep mode it is 0.82 mA and in software standby mode it is only 0.2 µA. The microcontrollers clock their core at up to 32 MHz and have up to 64 KB of integrated code flash memory and 12 KB of SRAM. A 12-bit ADC is also on board, along with a temperature sensor, an internal reference voltage, 3 UARTs, 1 asynchronous UART, 3 simplified SPIs, 1 IIC and 3 simplified IICs.

Many safety and security functions onboard

For functional safety, SRAM parity check, detection of invalid memory access, frequency detection, A/D test, immutable memory, CRC calculator and register write protection are available, while Unique ID, TRNG, Flash read protection and AES libraries are supposed to provide the necessary security for IoT applications including encryption. The RA0 MCUs also have timers, serial communication, analogue, safety and HMI functions integrated. Critical security functions for diagnosis and a self-test library according to IEC60730 complete the equipment.

The high-precision on-chip oscillator (±1.0%) is supposed to improve the accuracy of the baud rate - to such an extent that developers can do without an external oscillator. Renesas promises: The HOCO maintains this precision over the entire operating temperature range from -40 °C to 105 °C. This wide temperature range is supposed to allow users to avoid costly and time-consuming fine-tuning, even after the reflow process.

Wide operating voltage range - operation possible without level shifter

Another advantage: The chips operate with operating voltages between 1.6V and 5.5V, so users in 5V systems don't need a level shifter/regulator. The comprehensive features are designed to help reduce the number of necessary external circuits and thus reduce BOM costs.

Renesas offers a wide range of package options, including 24- and 32-pin QFNs, 20-pin LSSOP, 32-pin LQFP and a tiny 16-pin QFN measuring 3 mm x 3 mm.

Renesas supplies a wide portfolio of 8-, 16- and 32-bit microcontrollers for different applications - delivering more than 3.5 billion units each year according to their own statement. Approximately 50 percent of these are used in the automotive industry, with the rest being used in industrial and Internet of Things applications, as well as in data centers and communication infrastructures.
(Image:Renesas Electronics)

The Alpha and Omega: software support

Renesas's Flexible Software Package (FSP) already supports the new RA0E1 MCU group. The FSP is intended to accelerate application development by providing all the required infrastructure software. This includes several RTOS, BSP, peripheral drivers, middleware, connectivity, network and security stacks, and reference software for building complex AI, motor control, and cloud solutions.

Users can integrate their own legacy code and the RTOS of their choice into the FSP, thus gaining full flexibility in application development. Using the FSP makes it easier to migrate from RA0E1 designs to more complex RA devices.

Winning Combinations

As expected from other components, Renesas has combined the new RA0E1 MCU group with numerous compatible components from its portfolio to offer a wide range of Winning Combinations. This includes the HVAC Environment Monitor Module for public buildings. Winning Combinations are technically advanced system architectures consisting of mutually compatible components that seamlessly work together and enable optimized, low-risk design for faster market launch.

Renesas now offers over 400 Winning Combinations with a wide range of products from its portfolio. This allows customers to accelerate the development process and bring their products to market faster.

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