Low cost Cortex-M23 microcontroller extends temperature range

Renesas Electronics has introduced a new family of microcontrollers based on the ARM Cortex-M23 core, offering low cost, low power consumption, and an extended temperature range. The RA0E2 range of 32MHz devices features up to 128KB integrated Code Flash memory and 16KB SRAM, making it a drop-in replacement for the RA0E1 family.

With a power consumption of 2.8mA in active mode and 0.89 mA in sleep mode, the RA0E2 microcontrollers are designed for efficiency. An integrated High-speed On-Chip Oscillator (HOCO) enables a fast wake-up time, allowing the controller to stay in Software Standby mode for longer periods with a power consumption of only 0.25 µA.

The high-precision (±1.0%) HOCO not only improves baud rate accuracy but also eliminates the need for a standalone oscillator. Renesas ensures that the precision is maintained in a wide temperature range from -40°C to 125°C, reducing the need for costly trimming processes even after reflow.

Building on the success of the RA0E1 devices in various applications such as consumer electronics, appliances, power tools, and industrial monitoring, the RA0E2 MCUs offer full compatibility with pin-expansion and the same peripherals. This compatibility allows customers to reuse existing software assets, streamlining the transition to the new devices.

The RA0E2 devices are optimized for cost-sensitive applications, featuring a wide operating voltage range of 1.6V to 5.5V, eliminating the need for a level shifter/regulator in 5V systems. These MCUs also integrate timers, serial communications, analog functions, safety features, and security functionality to reduce overall BOM costs.

According to Daryl Khoo, Vice President of the Embedded Processing Marketing Division at Renesas, the market reception for the RA0 Series has been exceptional. The RA0E2 Group MCUs continue to deliver ultra-low power and affordability, with added features like extended temperature range and increased memory capacity to cater to a broader range of applications.

Renesas provides support for the RA0E2 Group MCUs through its Flexible Software Package (FSP), offering multiple RTOS, BSP, peripheral drivers, middleware, connectivity, networking, and security stacks. This comprehensive software package enables developers to integrate legacy code and choose the appropriate RTOS for a smooth migration from RA0E1 designs to the larger RA0E2 devices.

The RA0E2 Group MCUs are now available, accompanied by the FSP software and the RA0E2 Fast Prototyping Board. Samples and kits can be ordered directly from the Renesas website or through authorized distributors, providing easy access to these innovative microcontrollers.

For more information on the RA0E2 Group MCUs and related products, visit renesas.com/RA0E2.