Low-power MCUs target motor control

Renesas Electronics Corp. has introduced the RA8T1 microcontroller (MCU) group based on the Arm Cortex-M85 processor for real-time control of motors, power supplies and other devices used in automation and smart homes. These low-power MCUs deliver specialized analog functions and a range of communication interfaces.

The 32-bit RA8 MCUs take advantage of the high-performance Arm Cortex-M85 processor together with Arm’s Helium technology delivering up to a 4× performance boost for digital signal processor (DSP) and machine learning (ML) implementations. The RA8TI’s performance is suitable for AI functions that predict maintenance requirements for motors to avoid downtime.

(Source: Renesas Electronics Corp.)

The RA8T1 group is the third in Renesas’ RA8 MCU Series, delivering performance of 6.39 CoreMark/MHz. These MCUs offer analog capabilities including 12-bit ADCs, 12-bit DACs and high-speed comparators used in voltage and current measurement and over-current protection. They also offer multiple communications functions, including SCI, SPI, I2C/I3C, CAN/CAN-FD, Ethernet, and USB-FS. Other features of  the RA8T1 devices include advanced PWM timing such as 3-phase complementary output, 0% and 100% duty output capability, a double-buffer compare match register and five phase counting modes as well as a port output shutdown when an anomaly is detected.

Renesas said these capabilities with advanced timers and the company’s power management help customers build low-power motor control solutions.

In addition, the devices feature integrated 2-MB/1-MB dual-bank Flash memory and 1-MB SRAM (including 128-KB TCM, 512-KB ECC protected). Advanced security includes Arm TrustZone, secure boot, immutable storage, tamper resistance with DPA/SPA attack protection, secure debug and cryptographic algorithms. Renesas also provides secure factory programming and lifecycle management support.

The new RA8T1 Group MCUs are supported by Renesas’ Flexible Software Package (FSP) for faster application development. The package provides the infrastructure software needed, including multiple RTOS, BSP, peripheral drivers, middleware, connectivity, networking and security stacks, and reference software to build complex AI, motor control and cloud solutions. Customers can integrate their legacy code and choice of RTOS with FSP, providing full flexibility in application development, Renesas said.

Renesas offers an array of Winning Combinations, including the 20-KW 3-Phase PFC Inverter, using the new RA8T1 Group MCUs with numerous compatible devices from its portfolio.

The RA8T1 Group MCUs in 100-, 144- and 176-pin LQFPs and 224-pin BGA packages, along with FSP software, are currently available. Renesas also offers a Flexible Motor Control development kit for easy evaluation of motor control using brushless DC motors and its Motor Workbench development tool. Samples and kits can be ordered via the Renesas website or through its distributors.