Renesas introduces a new microcontroller product group based on the Arm Cortex-M33 kernel

Renesas Electronics announced the launch of a new microcontroller (MCU) product family based on the Arm® Cortex-M33 core, expanding its 32-bit RA MCU product family. The new 100MHz performance RA4E1 product family offers a balance between high performance, optimized functional integration and power consumption. It can shorten the product design cycle and easily upgrade to other RA series products.

The Renesas RA family now has more than 150 models operating at frequencies from 48MHz to 200MHz. RA MCUS offer outstanding power consumption levels, a wide range of communication connectivity options, and advanced security features including Arm TrustZone® technology. All RA products are supported by the Renesas Flexible Configuration Package (FSP), which includes efficient drivers and middleware to simplify the implementation of communication and security functions, and a graphical user interface to simplify and accelerate the development process. FSP can flexibly reuse existing code resources and easily achieve compatibility and extension with other RA family products. Developers using FSP also have access to tools that help speed time to market through the extensive Arm ecosystem, as well as support through Renesas' extensive network of partners.

Roger Wendelken, senior vice president of Renesas Electronics' iot and Infrastructure Business group, said: "Our RA products continue to exceed expectations through robust performance, advanced features, easy-to-develop systems and product value. The new RA4E1 product group was developed to expand the RA product family with entry level product options to meet customer needs. We believe these products will be ideal for a variety of application scenarios, and many designers will find RA products to meet their current and future needs."

RA4E1 MCU product group

The RA4E1 MCU is the first entry level product in the RA4 family with 100MHz performance. The portfolio includes four different products in 48-pin to 64-pin packages with 256kB to 512kB of flash memory and 128kB of SRAM. The RA4E1 MCU offers the lowest operating power consumption in its class, running at only 60μA/MHz when executing programs from flash memory at 100MHz. The RA4E1 offers an optimized combination of innovative peripherals, connectivity capabilities and reduced system costs. The RA4E1 product family is ideal for cost-sensitive applications and other systems that combine performance and low power consumption.

Key features of the RA4E1 product group

● Arm Cortex-M33 CPU core running at 100MHz

● 256kB to 512kB integrated flash options, 128kB SRAM

● Operating temperature range: Ta = -40°C ~ 85°C

● 48-pin to 64-pin package options

● Low power operation: 60µA/MHz when running at 100MHz; CoreMark performance test program is 81µA/MHz when executed from flash memory

● Integrated full speed USB 2.0 interface, serial communication interface, CAN and QSPI

● Reduce overall system cost: on-chip high accuracy (±0.25%) internal oscillator using FLL, rich GPIO resources, excellent analog capabilities, low voltage detection and internal reset

The RA4E1 MCU can be used seamlessly with Renesas analog and power products to create comprehensive solutions for a wide range of applications. These include a smart iot air filter using the RA4E1 MCU and a smart coffee machine. Renesas offers a "winning portfolio" of more than 250 products that use seamless collaboration for a wide range of applications and end products.