The new entry-level MCU family offers best-in-class power consumption

     Renesas Electronics has introduced the RA0 family of MCUS based on the Arm Cortex-M23 processor. The new low-cost RA0 device delivers the industry's lowest overall power consumption for general-purpose 32-bit MCUS.

     The device consumes only 84.3μA/MHz current in operating mode and 0.82mA current in sleep mode. In addition, the company offers a software standby mode in the new mcu that reduces power consumption by a further 99 percent, down to a tiny 0.2µa. Together with fast Wake up High Speed on-chip oscillators (HOCO), these ultra-low power MCUS provide excellent solutions for applications such as battery-powered consumer electronics devices, small appliances, industrial system control and building automation applications.

     The company is currently shipping the first set of products in the series, the RA0E1 set. These devices have a feature set optimized for cost-sensitive applications. They offer a wide operating voltage range from 1.6V to 5.5V, so customers do not need level shifters/regulators in 5V systems. The mcu also integrates timers, serial communications, analog capabilities, security capabilities, and HMI capabilities to reduce customers' BOM costs. A wide range of package options are also available, including a tiny 3mm x 3mm 16-lead QFN.

     In addition, the new MCU's (±1%)HOCO improves baud rate accuracy, enabling designers to forgo independent oscillators. Unlike other hoco's, it maintains this accuracy in environments ranging from -40 ° C to 105 ° C. This wide temperature range allows customers to avoid expensive and time-consuming "pruning" even after the reflux process.

     The mcu includes critical diagnostic safety features and the IEC60730 self-test library. They also offer security features, including TRNG and AES libraries for iot applications and encryption.

     "As a leader in embedded processing, our customers expect Renesas Electronics to provide the best solution for any application," said Akihiro Kuroda, vice president, Embedded Processing Division 2, Renesas Electronics. The RA0E1 family of MCUS provides the ultra-low power and low cost required for price-sensitive systems without sacrificing security, data security, and ease of design. "Coupled with the recent introduction of the high-performance RA8 family, Renesas can now offer best-in-class MCU solutions for any customer application, anywhere in the world."

     Paul Williamson, senior vice president and general manager of the iot business at Arm, said: "Power-constrained iot embedded applications for markets such as industrial and smart homes have specific performance, efficiency and security needs. Renesas' RA MCU family is based on Arm technology and now offers solutions ranging from low-power RA0 MCUS to high-performance ai RA8 devices, all with a common design environment that enables easy and fast development and migration."