Renesas introduces entry-level RA0 MCU series

9th April 2024

Renesas

Sheryl Miles

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Renesas, a premier supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, has introduced the RA0 microcontroller (MCU) Series based on the Arm Cortex-M23 processor.

The new, low-cost RA0 devices offer the industry’s lowest overall power consumption for general purpose 32-bit MCUs.

The RA0 devices consume only 84.3μA/MHz of current in active mode and only 0.82 mA in sleep mode. In addition, Renesas offers a software standby mode in the new MCUs that reduces power consumption by a further 99% to a miniscule 0.2 µA. Coupled with a fast wake-up High-speed On-Chip Oscillator (HOCO), these ultra-low power MCUs deliver an ideal solution for applications including battery-operated consumer electronics devices, small appliances, industrial system control, and building automation applications.

Feature set optimised for low cost

Renesas is now shipping the first group in the RA0 Series, the RA0E1 Group. These devices have a feature set optimised for cost-sensitive applications. They offer a wide operating voltage range of 1.6V to 5.5V so customers don’t need a level shifter/regulator in 5V systems. The RA0 MCUs also integrate timers, serial communications, analog functions, safety functions, and HMI functionality to reduce customer BOM cost. A wide range of packaging options is also available, including a 3 x 3mm 16-lead QFN.

In addition, the new MCU’s high-precision (±1.0%) on-chip oscillator (HOCO) improves baud rate accuracy and enables designers to forego a standalone oscillator. Unlike other HOCOs, it maintains this precision in environments from –40°C to 105°C. This wide temperature range enables customers to avoid costly and time-consuming ‘trimming,’ even after the reflow process.

The RA0E1 MCUs include critical diagnostic safety functions as well as an IEC60730 self-test library. They also offer security features including true random number generator (TRNG) and AES libraries for IoT applications, including encryption.

“As the leader in embedded processing, our customers expect Renesas to provide the best solution for any application,” said Akihiro Kuroda, Vice President of the Embedded Processing 2nd Division at Renesas. “The RA0E1 Group MCUs deliver the ultra-low power and low cost needed for price-sensitive systems without sacrificing safety, data security and ease-of-design. Coupled with the recent introduction of the high-performance RA8 Series, Renesas now offers the premier MCU solution for any customer application anywhere in the world.”

"Power-constrained IoT embedded applications addressing markets such as industrial and smart home have specific performance, efficiency, and security needs,” said Paul Williamson, Senior Vice President and General Manager, IoT Line of Business at Arm. “Renesas’ RA MCU Family, built on Arm technology, now offers solutions ranging from low power RA0 MCUs to the high performance AI-capable RA8 devices, all with a common design environment that enables easy and fast development and migration.”

Key Features of the RA0E1 Group MCUs

Core: 32MHz Arm Cortex-M23
Memory: Up to 64KB integrated code flash memory and 12KB SRAM

Analog peripherals: 12-bit ADC, temperature sensor, internal reference voltage
Communications peripherals: three UARTs, 1 Async UART, three Simplified SPIs, 1 IIC, three Simplified IICs

Safety: SRAM parity check, invalid memory access detection, frequency detection, A/D test, immutable storage, CRC calculator, register write protection

Security: unique ID, TRNG, Flash read protection
Packages: 16-, 24-, and 32-lead QFNs, 20-pin LSSOP, 32-pin LQFP

The new RA0E1 Group MCUs are supported by Renesas’ Flexible Software Package (FSP). The FSP enables faster application development by providing all the infrastructure software needed, including multiple RTOS, BSP, peripheral drivers, middleware, connectivity, networking, and security stacks as well as reference software to build complex AI, motor control and cloud solutions. It allows customers to integrate their own legacy code and choice of RTOS with FSP, thus providing full flexibility in application development. Using the FSP will ease migration of RA0E1 designs to larger RA devices if customers wish to do so.

Winning combinations

Renesas has combined the new RA0E1 Group MCUs with numerous compatible devices from its portfolio to offer a wide array of Winning Combinations, including the HVAC Environment Monitor Module for Public Buildings. Winning Combinations are technically vetted system architectures from mutually compatible devices that work together seamlessly to bring an optimised, low-risk design for faster time to market. Renesas offers more than 400 Winning Combinations with a wide range of products from the Renesas portfolio to enable customers to speed up the design process and bring their products to market more quickly.