New MCUs with high-resolution analog and OTA update

Renesas Electronics Corporation has introduced the RA2A2 MCU Group based on the Arm Cortex-M23 processor. The new, low-power devices offer a 24-bit Sigma-Delta ADC (SDADC) and an innovative dual-bank code flash and bank swap function that makes it easy to implement FOTA updates for smart energy management, building automation, medical devices, consumer electronics and other IoT applications that can benefit from firmware updates.

The devices offer multiple power structures and voltage detection hardware to realise energy-efficient, ultra-low power operation as low as 100 µA/MHz in active mode and 0.4µA in software standby mode. An independent power supply real-time clock extends battery life for applications requiring long lifetime management in extreme conditions. The new MCUs also offer AES hardware acceleration, a high-precision (±1%), high-speed on-chip oscillator, a temperature sensor, and a wide operating voltage range from 1.6V to 5.5V.

These MCUs contribute to the digitalisation of conventional systems with key features, including high-level analog sensing, FOTA support, 8KHz/4KHz hybrid sampling, and AES hardware accelerator functions. When the end systems are digitalised, it is possible to analyse individual systems' status seamlessly for further energy-efficient, streamlined system operation. For example, next-generation smart electricity meters with Non-Intrusive Load Management (NILM) technology allow energy consumption monitoring based on detailed analysis of the current and voltage of the total load. Adopting smart meters with NILM is the most cost-effective and scalable solution for increasing energy efficiency and lowering energy consumption.

"Renesas has worked closely with our customers to understand their requirements for next-generation systems that can support critical energy conservation goals," said Akihiro Kuroda, vice president of the Embedded Processing 2nd Division at Renesas. "The RA2A2 Group MCUs result from that collaboration coupled with our world-leading technical expertise. We are proud to provide this solution that will enable significant energy savings in a wide array of systems."