Renesas adds RISC-V MCU ASSP for voice control

Renesas Electronics Corp. has expanded its RISC-V portfolio with the first RISC-V MCU designed for voice-controlled human-machine interface (HMI) systems. The R9A06G150 32-bit ASSP, developed in collaboration with RISC-V ecosystem partners, provides a production-ready voice-control system solution that eliminates the need for investment in RISC-V tools and upfront software. The new RISC-V MCU ASSP follows the launch last year of the 32-bit motor-control ASSP and 64-bit general-purpose RZ/Five MPUs based on a 64-bit RISC-V CPU.

The new ASSP supports multiple languages and user-defined keywords for voice-recognition operations. It can be used in residential and commercial building automation, home appliances, toys and healthcare devices.

As the foundation of a turnkey voice-control solution, the R9A06G150 is pre-programmed using specialized application code developed by independent design houses, said Renesas. With pre-developed software for voice-command HMI, the RISC-V MCU ASSP shortens development time and time to market, the company added.

(Source: Renesas Electronics Corp.)

The R9A06G150 is based on RISC-V processing IP from Andes Technology Corp., which incorporates the AndesCore D25F CPU core based on the AndeStar V5 architecture. The 100-MHz CPU comes with DSP instructions, floating-point extension and a cost-optimized specification. Other key features of the ASSP include 256-KB program flash, 128-KB RAM, 16-KB data flash, specialized audio PDM and SSI I/F for connection to mics and codecs; and a QSPI interface for memory expansion.

The R9A06G150 solution is available now in 24-, 32- and 48-pin QFN packages. A reference kit is also available with hardware, software, tools, hardware/software datasheets, GUI manual and app notes. Ecosystem partners include independent design house Cyberon, system integrator Orbstart and development tool provider SEGGER Microcontroller GmbH.

A Renesas Winning Combination reference design, Voice Control HMI with RISC-V ASSP, also is available, featuring the R9A06G150 and other compatible devices from the Renesas portfolio used in general-purpose voice-control HMI systems. The pre-programmed turnkey solution adds HMI voice control capability without any user code programming, said Renesas and can be used in IoT, hands-free or smart appliance applications.