First 32-bit low-power MCU with in-house RISC-V CPU core

Mouser now stocks the R9A02G021 low-power MCUs from Renesas Electronics. Empowering engineers with a multipurpose platform for creating power-efficient, cost-effective applications using an open-source ISA, the R9A02G021 is the company's first general-purpose, 32-bit MCU family built around its innovative in-house RISC-V processor core developed to serve multiple end markets, such as IoT sensors, consumer electronics, medical devices, small appliances and industrial systems. The device provides designers with a clear and reliable IP migration path to developing a wide range of high-performance, cost-sensitive applications that can go to the mass market quickly while eradicating concerns about proprietary architectures.

The MCUs, available from Mouser Electronics, are ultra-low-power, featuring a single 32-bit processor core running at up to 48MHz and delivering a claimed 3.27 CoreMark per megahertz. Explicitly designed for low-power applications, the family of MCUs draws a mere 162µA/MHz in active mode and 0.3µA in software standby with a 4µS wakeup time. The wide 1.6V to 5.5V input voltage range also allows low-voltage, low-current operation and provides noise immunity, making the devices excellent for battery-powered applications. Memory configuration includes 128KB code flash memory, 4KB data flash and 16KB SRAM, complemented by a 128-bit unique ID.

Other notable features of the Renesas RISC-V MCUs include a 12-bit ADC, an 8-bit DAC, on-chip comparators, a temperature sensor, power management features, multiple clock and timer sources, and safety features. For connectivity, the devices offer two SAU that support simplified SPI, UART, and simplified I2C, an I2C Bus Interface, and a remote-control signal receiver.

The MCUs are available in various QFN packages ranging from 48, 32, 24 and WLCSP16. Apart from access to the company's complete ecosystem of free tools, such as the e2 Studio IDE and industry leaders IAR and SEGGER, the MCUs are also supported by the fast prototyping board RTK9FPG021S00001BJ, created for evaluation, prototyping, and development.