New MCU group delivers ultra-low power in a tiny package

Renesas Electronics Corporation offers a new Group within its 32-bit RA family of MCUs. The RA2E2 Group, based on the latest Arm Cortex-M23 core, provides a unique combination of remarkably low power consumption, a set of high-quality peripherals aimed at IoT endpoint applications, and space-saving packaging options incorporating a tiny 16-pin WLCSP device measuring just 1.87mm x 1.84mm. The new 48MHz RA2E2 Group facilitates fast design cycles and simple upgrades to other RA family devices.

The MCUs are intended to meet demanding IoT endpoint applications, including medical devices, wearables, appliances and industrial automation. They provide what is claimed to be the industry’s lowest operating power in their class, consuming only 81uA/MHz in active mode with a software standby current of just 200nA with fast wakeup. The new devices support a remarkably wide temperature range of Ta = -40/+125C for harsh IoT operating environments. The group supports an I3C bus interface and combines cost-saving peripheral functions, incorporating an on-chip oscillator with precision of +/-1%, power on reset and low voltage detector, EEPROM, and a temperature sensor.

The family includes over 160 parts extending from 48MHz to 200MHz. The MCUs provide industry-leading power consumption specifications, a very broad range of communications options, and best-in-class security options, including Arm TrustZone technology. All RA devices are supported by the Renesas Flexible Software Program that incorporates highly efficient drivers and middleware to ease the implementation of communications and security. The program’s GUI simplifies and expedites the development process. It allows flexible use of legacy code and easy compatibility and scalability with other RA Family devices. Designers employing FSP also have access to the extensive Arm ecosystem, providing a broad range of tools that assist speed time-to-market, as well as the company’s extensive partner network.

“We see increasing demand for 32-bit MCUs in low-pin-count IoT endpoint applications, and the RA2E2 Group addresses that market need with the right features and performance,” said Roger Wendelken, senior vice president in the IoT and Infrastructure Business Unit at Renesas. “Our RA family now offers solutions from 16- to 176-pins and from 48- to 200-MHz performance, all supported by our FSP that enables easy and fast transition of design IP between different devices.”