MCUs with 2x performance and over 30% better power efficiency

Renesas Electronics Corporation introduces the ultra-low power, 32-bit RX140 group of MCUs, the latest addition to its entry-level RX100 Series. Constructed around its powerful RXv2 CPU core, the MCUs achieve outstanding performance, with operation of up to 48MHz with a CoreMark score of 204, equal to approximately twice the processing performance of the RX130 group. The MCUs also boost power efficiency by over 30% compared with past RX130 MCUs, producing power consumption as low as 56µA/MHz when the CPU is in active mode and as low as 0.25µA in standby mode. This allows the MCUs to achieve high performance and low power consumption in an extensive range of products, such as home appliances, industrial and building automation.

The MCUs provide the latest capacitive touch sensing units, giving customers an enhanced user experience and user interface. The MCUs fulfil the IEC EN61000-4-3 level 4 (radiated) and EN61000-4-6 level 3 (conducted) capacitive touch noise tolerance requirements. This demonstrates they are less susceptible to electromagnetic noise, enabling the MCUs to identify changes in water level by directly measuring changes in capacitance via high-precision sensing. Built-in multi-scan functionality and automated sensing allow customers to increase sensitivity through simultaneous measurement utilising multiple electrodes. This provides for automatic touch detection even in standby mode, making it simpler for customers to produce interfaces quickly and easily using touchless operation or proximity sensing. As part of its RX capacitive touch MCU lineup, the RX140 MCUs enable customers to develop reliable, high-end capacitive touch systems for applications in a mixture of environments. These cover home appliances including refrigerators, microwave ovens, and induction heat cooking stoves, and manufacturing equipment, building control panels, and devices that are able to detect remaining quantities of water or powder on surfaces.

“The RX100 Series of ultra-low-power MCUs is gaining popularity for the superior scalability it offers as the entry-level model for the RX Family,” said Sakae Ito, vice president of the IoT Platform Business Division at Renesas. “With the release of the RX140 MCUs offering improved performance and power efficiency alongside the latest capacitive touch IP, we continue to bring advanced solutions that enable customers to create products that combine enhanced functionality, design, and usability.”

The company has devised a solution for a total Waterproof Shower Controller with RX140 MCUs and other complementary analog and power devices from its portfolio, which can give sophisticated user interface functionality with an easy-to-use and stylish design. The solution is part of its 'Winning Combinations' – comprehensive solutions that combine complementary Analog plus Power plus Embedded Processing product portfolios. These engineering vetted solutions are engineered to assist customers to accelerate their designs and get to market faster. The company provides more than 250 Winning Combinations with compatible devices that work together seamlessly for a broad range of applications and end products.