Cortex-M33 MCUs focussed on comms and security

Author: EIS Release Date: Jul 28, 2021

Renesas is focussing on comms with the RA6M5 group of microcontrollers.

 

RA6M5 Renesas Anglia

“RA6M5 Group MCUs offer numerous communication interface options, including CAN FD, Ethernet MAC with DMA, USB Full Speed and High Speed, and multiple serial interfaces. This gives designers of IoT systems unmatched flexibility in sharing critical data,” according to distributor Anglia, which is stocking the parts. The new devices “complete the mainstream line of the RA6 Series.”

 

For security, there is Arm’s TrustZone (the processor is a 200MHz Cortex-M33) and Renesas’ Secure Crypto Engine – the crypto engine incorporates multiple symmetric and asymmetric cryptography accelerators, key management, security lifecycle management, power analysis resistance and tamper detection.

 

 

“The RA6M5 group offers the same powerful security features and software support as Renesas’ RA6M4 MCUs, which achieved PSA Certified Level 2 and SESIP1 certification,” said Anglia. “This combination of features enables developers to realise secure element functionality, delivering safety and security for highly connected IoT devices.” It added that, in conjunction with the security block, memory block swap is implemented for in-field firmware updates.

 

 

 

Integrated flash memory is 1, 1.5 or 2Mbyte, and there is 512kbyte of ram including 64kbyte with ECC (error correction code). There is 8kbyte of (EEPROM-like) DataFlash and 1kbyte of stand-by ram. Off-chip flash and ram expansion is through an OctaSPI interface (QuadSPI also supported).

 

At 200MHz, consumption is 107μA/MHz (CoreMark algorithm from flash). Wake-up is in 30µs.

 

Packaging is 100- to 176-pin LQFP or 176-ball BGA.