New entry-level MCU series offers best-in-class power consumption

Renesas Electronics Corporation has introduced the RA0 MCU Series based on the Arm Cortex-M23 processor. The new, low-cost RA0 devices deliver the industry's lowest overall power consumption for general-purpose 32-bit MCUs.

The devices consume only 84.3μA/MHz of current in active mode and only 0.82mA in sleep mode. In addition, the company offers a Software Standby mode in the new MCUs that lowers power consumption by a further 99% to a minuscule 0.2µA. Coupled with a fast wake-up High-speed On-Chip Oscillator (HOCO), these ultra-low power MCUs provide an excellent solution for applications including battery-operated consumer electronics devices, small appliances, industrial system control, and building automation applications.

The company is now shipping the first group in the series, the RA0E1 Group. These devices have a feature set optimised for cost-sensitive applications. They provide a wide operating voltage range of 1.6V to 5.5V, so customers do not require a level shifter/regulator in 5V systems. The MCUs also integrate timers, serial communications, analog functions, safety functions and HMI functionality to reduce customer BOM cost. A wide range of packaging options is also available, including a tiny 3mm x 3mm 16-lead QFN.

Also, the new MCU's (±1%) HOCO improves baud rate accuracy and enables designers to forego a standalone oscillator. Unlike other HOCOs, it maintains this precision in environments from -40C to 105C. This wide temperature range allows customers to avoid costly and time-consuming 'trimming', even after the reflow process.

The MCUs include critical diagnostic safety functions and an IEC60730 self-test library. They also offer security features, including a TRNG and AES libraries for IoT applications and encryption.

"As the leader in embedded processing, our customers expect Renesas to provide the best solution for any application," said Akihiro Kuroda, vice president of the Embedded Processing 2nd Division at Renesas. "The RA0E1 Group MCUs deliver the ultra-low power and low cost needed for price-sensitive systems without sacrificing safety, data security and ease of design. Coupled with the recent introduction of the high-performance RA8 Series, Renesas now offers the premier MCU solution for any customer application anywhere in the world."

"Power-constrained IoT embedded applications addressing markets such as industrial and smart home have specific performance, efficiency and security needs," said Paul Williamson, senior vice president and general manager, IoT Line of Business at Arm. "Renesas' RA MCU Family, built on Arm technology, now offers solutions ranging from low power RA0 MCUs to the high-performance AI-capable RA8 devices, all with a common design environment that enables easy and fast development and migration."