The new RA0L1 Group MCUs high-precision (±1.0%) HOCO improves baud rate accuracy and enables designers to forego a standalone oscillator.
The Arm Cortex-M23 processor served as the foundation for Renesas Electronics’ new RA0L1 microcontroller (MCU) Group. The new devices are the best option available for the industry for adopting capacitive touch in battery-powered and other consumer electronics, appliances, white goods, and industrial system controls in a quick and cost-effective manner. They also have incredibly low power consumption.
The RA0 MCU series was first released by Renesas in 2024, and because of its inexpensive cost and low power consumption, it has gained a lot of popularity among a variety of consumers. RA0L1 devices give designers the opportunity to construct low-cost, responsive, and visually appealing user interfaces with capacitive touch capability.
With an active mode current of under 2.9mA and a sleep mode current of 0.92mA, RA0L1 MCUs provide industry-leading power consumption. Furthermore, the quickest wake-up time for this type of microcontroller is made possible by an inbuilt High-speed On-Chip Oscillator (HOCO).
The RA0L1 Group MCUs can spend more time in Software Standby mode, where power consumption lowers to a pitiful 0.25 µA, thanks to the quick wake-up. When compared to alternative alternatives, this feature can cut current usage by up to 90%.
Key Features of the RA0L1 Group MCUs
- Core: 32MHz Arm Cortex-M23
- Memory: Up to 64KB integrated Code Flash memory and 16KB SRAM
- Extended Temperature Range: Ta -40°C to 125°C
- Timers: Timer array unit (16b x 8 channels), 32-bit interval timer (8b x 4 channels), RTC
- Communications Peripherals: 3 UARTs, 2 Async UART, 6 Simplified SPIs, 2 I2C, 6 Simplified I2Cs
- Analog Peripherals: 12-bit ADC, temperature sensor, internal reference voltage
- HMI: Capacitive Touch (up to 24 channels), Controlled Current Drive Port (up to 8)
- Safety: SRAM parity check, invalid memory access detection, frequency detection, A/D test, output level detection, CRC calculator, register write protection
- Security: Unique ID, TRNG, Flash access window, Flash read protection
- Packages: 24-, 32- and 48-pin QFNs, 32-, 48-pin LQFP, 20-pin LSSOP
Feature Set Optimized for Low Cost
The feature set of the RA0L1 devices is tailored for applications that are budget conscious. Customers don’t require a level shifter or regulator in 5V systems because of their broad operating voltage range of 1.6V to 5.5V.
In order to lower client BOM costs, the RA0L1 Group MCUs additionally have analog functionalities, numerous communications interfaces, safety features, and security features. Additionally, a small 4mm by 4mm 24-pin QFN is one of many packaging possibilities.
In addition, the new RA0L1 Group MCUs high-precision (±1.0%) HOCO improves baud rate accuracy and enables designers to forego a standalone oscillator.
Unlike other HOCOs in the industry, it maintains this precision in environments from -40°C to 125°C. This wide temperature range enables customers to simplify thermal design by avoiding costly and time-consuming “trimming,” even after the reflow process.
Renesas Capacitive Touch Leadership
Renesas provides industry-leading capacitive touch technology, ensuring customers can quickly and cost-effectively implement high-quality touch interfaces in a variety of systems.
Its self-capacitance method simplifies waterproof design, offering simpler design and reduced complexity compared to mutual capacitance solutions.
Renesas’ multi-frequency measurement meets IEC61000 4-3 Level 4 standards, making it ideal for medical applications that demand robust protection from electromagnetic interference.
Renesas also offers specialized development resources for capacitive touch, including the QE for Capacitive Touch that streamlines sensitivity adjustments for capacitive touch buttons, speeding up development.
The new RA0L1 Group MCUs are supported by Renesas’ Flexible Software Package (FSP). The FSP enables faster application development by providing all the infrastructure software needed, including multiple RTOS, BSP, peripheral drivers, middleware, connectivity, networking, and security stacks as well as reference software to build complex AI, motor control and cloud solutions.
It allows customers to integrate their own legacy code and choice of RTOS with FSP, thus providing full flexibility in application development. Using the FSP will ease migration to and from other RA family devices.
Winning Combinations
Renesas has combined the new RA0L1 Group MCUs with numerous compatible devices from its portfolio to offer a wide array of Winning Combinations, including the Capacitive Touch Remote Controller.
Winning Combinations are technically vetted system architectures from mutually compatible devices that work together seamlessly to bring an optimized, low-risk design for faster time to market.
Renesas offers more than 400 Winning Combinations with a wide range of products from the Renesas portfolio to enable customers to speed up the design process and bring their products to market more quickly. They can be found at renesas.com/win.
Availability
The RA0L1 Group MCUs are available now, along with the FSP software, the RA0L1 Fast Prototyping Board and the RA0L1 Renesas Solution Starter Kit for Cap Touch. Samples and kits can be ordered either on the Renesas website or through distributors.
More Information on The New MCUs is Available, CLICK HERE
