Renesas is aiming at those evaluating and prototyping sensor-based IoT end-points with secure links to the cloud – with the RX65N Cloud Kit, which connects Wi-Fi, environmental, light and inertial sensors, FreeRTOS and Amazon Web Services (AWS) .

“The kit gives embedded designers a fast start and secure connection to AWS,” said Renesas. “Using Renesas’ e2 studio IDE, IoT applications are easily created by configuring Amazon FreeRTOS, all the necessary drivers, and the network stack and component libraries.”

It uses the firm’s browser-based software, which allows users to visualise sensor data using a ‘cloud dashboard’ (photo left) that lets them explore applications including networked smart meters, building, office, and industrial automation systems, as well as home appliances.

There are two types of programmes for evaluating cloud communications: The basic AWS communications program sends a “Hello World” text message to the AWS cloud at regular intervals. is Amazon FreeRTOS certified and communicates via Wi-Fi; while the programme for uploading sensor and other data to the AWS cloud, and for observing the information in the dashboard, sends data from the three on-board sensors to the AWS cloud at regular intervals and allows for observation of the sensor data in the dashboard.

RX65N is a 32bit MCU with dual bank flash for secure programme update, including remote over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates. “Having dual bank flash enables both BGO [background operation] and SWAP functions, making it easier for system and network control manufacturers to execute in-the-field firmware updates,” according to the firm. “The MCUs also include trusted secure IP [TSIP] as part of the built-in hardware security engine.

The TSIP driver uses encryption key management with hardware accelerators – AES, 3DES, SHA, RSA, and TRNG – as well as a protected boot code flash area to securely start IoT devices up.

RX65N Cloud Kit

• RX65N R5F565NEDDFP 120MHz MCU board with 2Mbyte code flash and 640kbyte sram
• Module with Silex SX-ULPGN Wi-Fi comms (visible in top photo)
• Renesas-Cloud-Kit-option-boardCloud option board (right) with two USB ports for serial communications and debugging, and three sensors:
• Renesas ISL29035 digital ambient light and infra-red sensor
• Bosch BMI160 3-axis acceleration and gyroscope
• Bosch BME680 gas, temperature, humidity, and pressure
• Renesas e2 studio IDE allows designers to:
• Create Amazon FreeRTOS project from GitHub directory and build it
• Set up Amazon FreeRTOS network stack (TCP/IP, Wi-Fi, MQTT) and component libraries (like Device Shadow)
• Embed additional functions (based on Amazon FreeRTOS) such as USB and file-system on the IoT endpoint device