The new product meetsDLMS Suite2 security regulations for metering applications, providing rich communication options, a capacitive touch interface, and dual-zone flash memory that supports software updates.
Renesas Electronics has announced the launch of the RA4C1 microcontroller (MCU) product line based on the 80MHz Arm® Cortex®-M33 processor. The new MCU features ultra-low power consumption, advanced security features, a rich set of communication interfaces, and support for segment LCDs. Thanks to its unique combination of features and performance metrics, it is an ideal choice for battery-powered applications requiring stringent security, covering areas such as electric meters, gas meters, water meters, and industrial flow meters, as well as smart locks, thermostats, building control systems, and industrial user interfaces. Additionally, this new MCU is well-suited to meet the demands of the domestic large-scale power metering system control market.
The RA4C1 MCU employs proprietary low-power technology, achieving a mode current consumption of only 168µA/MHz at an 80MHz operating frequency, while the standby current can be as low as 1.79µA while retaining all SRAM data. Furthermore, the RA4C1 is equipped with a real-time clock (RTC) with an independent power domain, facilitating battery-powered time data backup. This exceptional performance, combined with support for input voltages as low as 1.6V, enables customers to design battery-powered applications that use smaller batteries or achieve higher performance with the same battery size.
Renesas RA Family MCU Product Lineup
For metering systems, security is paramount. The RA4C1 MCU features the RSIP-E31A security engine: this engine provides an isolated subsystem managed and protected by dedicated control logic. The MCU also supports a 256-bit hardware unique key and a true random number generator (TRNG), along with key management capabilities that can generate encapsulated keys, support SHA algorithms, AES hardware acceleration, and ECC with key lengths of up to 384 bits, compliant with NIST and Brainpool curves. The RA4C1 has also achieved PSA Level 1 certification, complying with the European Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) compliance extension, demonstrating Renesas’s ongoing commitment to cybersecurity and adherence to upcoming European regulations.
The new MCU from Renesas also offers a comprehensive set of features required for metering system design. Its built-in 512KB dual-zone on-chip flash memory allows for easy and secure software updates; additionally, the MCU is equipped with 96KB SRAM and 8KB data flash for on-chip data storage. Peripherals include a low-power ADC, an on-chip temperature sensor with 1% accuracy, and an on-chip LCD controller for driving low-power segment displays.
The RA4C1 MCU is supported by Renesas’s Flexible Software Package (FSP). The FSP provides all the infrastructure software needed for development, including multiple RTOS, BSPs, peripheral drivers, middleware, connectivity, network, and security stacks, as well as reference software for building complex AI, motor control, and cloud solutions, thereby helping customers accelerate application development. It supports customers in integrating their existing code and chosen RTOS with the FSP, providing ample flexibility for application development. Additionally, the FSP simplifies the migration process of existing IP between RA6 or RA2 series products.
Daryl Khoo, Vice President of Embedded Processing Marketing Division at Renesas stated: “Renesas has a comprehensive and market-recognized product line of RL78, RX, and RA series, empowering customers to develop advanced smart metering solutions and move towards a greener future. Based on close collaboration with global customers, we developed this new RA4C1: this product has been meticulously optimized to meet current and future customer needs.”
Key Features of the RA4C1 MCU
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Core: 80MHz Arm® Cortex®-M33
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Memory: 256 – 512KB dual-zone flash, 96KB SRAM, 8KB data flash
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Peripherals: CAN FD, LPUART, SCI, SPI, QSPI, I²C, ADC, real-time clock, temperature sensor, low-power timer, LCD, Vrtc
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Package: 10 mm x 10 mm LQFP64; 14 mm x 14 mm LQFP100
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Security: Unique ID, supports TRNG, AES, ECC, Hash RSIP security engine
Successful Product Portfolio
Renesas combines the new RA4C1 series MCU with many compatible devices in its product lineup to create a successful product portfolio for smart single-phase electric meters. The successful product portfolio employs a technically reviewed system architecture composed of mutually compatible devices that can work seamlessly together, resulting in optimized low-risk designs and faster time-to-market. Renesas offers over 400 successful product combinations, covering many of Renesas’s products, helping customers accelerate their design processes and bring products to market faster. You can find these combinations atrenesas.com/win.
Supply Information
The Renesas RA4C1 MCU and FSP software are now available, along with the RA4C1 evaluation board.
Samples and kits can be ordered from the Renesas website or through distributors.For more information, please read the original article or visit:https://www.renesas.cn/products/ra4c1?utm_campaign=mcu_ra4c1-empr&utm_source=businesswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_creative=link&utm_content=pp&utm_term=&utm_type=feat
This article is sourced from the Renesas website
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