Renesas has announced the expansion of its 32-bit RA2 Series microcontrollers (MCUs) with the addition of the new RA2E1 Group MCUs. Based on the 48-MHz Arm® Cortex®-M23 core, the RA2E1 MCUs are entry-line, single-chip devices with up to 128-KB code flash and 16-KB SRAM memory.

The RA2E1 Group MCUs support a wide operating voltage range of 1.6V to 5.5V and a large selection of packages such as LQFP, QFN, LGA, BGA and Wafer Level Chip Scale Package (WLCSP). They deliver optimized combinations of superior performance, ultra-low-power consumption, innovative peripherals and small package options. These features make the RA2E1 Group ideal for cost-sensitive applications and other systems requiring a strong combination of high performance and low-energy consumption in space-constrained applications. The new RA2E1 MCUs also offer an upgrade path with hardware and software scalability making them the perfect entry point into the wide line-up of the Renesas RA family.

The upgraded low power capability in the RA2E1 MCUs cover all on-chip peripherals, the flash memory and SRAM. This capability allows the smallest possible power consumption over the devices’ entire temperature and voltage range which allows for maximised system design flexibility across diverse applications via multiple low power modes. When benchmarked for power consumption, the RA2E1 MCU was certified with an EEMBC ULPMark™ score of 321 at 1.8V, verifying its best-in-class power rating. Users can now minimize active power consumption close to standby levels to extend battery life in their applications.

RA2E1 Block Diagram

The RA2E1 MCUs also offer an IEC60730 self-test library and feature integrated safety functions that provide confirmation of normal operation. Customers can easily use these safety functions to perform MCU self-diagnostics. In addition, the RA2E1 devices include an AES cryptography accelerator, true random number generator (TRNG) and memory protection units that provide the fundamental blocks to develop a secure IoT system.

Click below for an overview of the RA2E1 MCU Group key features

The RA2E1 MCUs can be combined with Renesas’ complementary analog and power offerings to create comprehensive solutions for a variety of applications. Renesas has released a series of these “Winning Combinations” that include Arm core processors and are suitable for the low-cost, low pin-count and low-power of the RA2E1 MCUs. Contact Anglia to find out more about Winning Combinations from Renesas.

Evaluation Kit

Renesas have provided hardware design support tools for the RA2E1 MCU group in the form of the EK-RA2E1 evaluation kit which enables users to effortlessly evaluate the features of the Microcontroller group and develop embedded systems applications. The RA2E1 Group is supported by the easy-to-use Flexible Software Package (FSP) and e2 studio IDE, which includes a best-in-class HAL driver. The FSP uses a GUI to simplify and dramatically accelerate the development process, while also making it easy for customers to migrate from an original 8/16-bit MCU design. Designers using the RA2E1 MCUs also have access to the extensive Arm partner ecosystem, offering a wide range of tools that help speed time-to-market. The RA2E1 kits also support new extended PMOD connectors to facilitate modular IoT using sensor PMODs and RF connectivity PMODs. Utilising the rich on-board features of the RA2E1 Group along with your choice of popular ecosystem add-ons helps to bring your big ideas to life.

Click below for an unboxing and quick start guide to the RA2 evaluation kits

The RA2E1 MCU Group offers developers a wide-range of popular features and options to cover a broad range of application requirements including for consumer products, appliances, industrial equipment, medical, portable healthcare and building automation products. Additionally, they serve as an excellent entry point into the Renesas RA2 Series allowing users to seamlessly upgrade to larger RA Family devices with hardware and software scalability.

Anglia are offering customers a FREE Evaluation board and samples of the Entry-Line RA2E1 MCU Group from Renesas, please fill in the form below to register your interest now.