Renesas's RX MCUs serve embedded-systems markets

The RX CPU implements a complex instruction set computer (CISC) architecture that integrates and extends the capabilities of Renesas's existing 16-bit and 32-bit MCU products, while providing compatibility that protects customer designs that use existing Renesas MCUs.

The eight devices in the 32-bit RX610 Group are advanced 32-bit solutions for high-end office equipment, digital consumer products and similar applications that must rapidly run large-scale programs while achieving high performance levels.

This means they deliver strong 1.65 MIPS/MHz processing performance while operating at speeds up to 100MHz.

These MCUs consume only 0.03mA/MHz of CPU core current.

RX610 MCUs have up to 2MB of on-chip flash memory, which can be accessed at 100MHz in a single clock cycle to maximise code execution.

They also provide 32 KB of data flash memory.

A background operation (BGO) function allows data to be written while a program is executing.

The new chips, which come in 144-pin LQFP and 176-pin BGA packages, integrate an extensive range of built-in legacy, enhanced and new peripheral functions for system-design flexibility.

RX610 MCUs also achieve low-power consumption operation with 0.5mA/MHz product power.

To help customers shorten the development cycles of new embedded systems, Renesas and third-party suppliers support the MCUs with a variety of hardware and software development tools.

Development work on additional members of the RX600 family is ongoing.

Future additions to this product line will offer other memory and package configurations and incorporate additional types of optimised peripheral functions for which there is a strong market demand.

Renesas is speeding up the development of the members of the companion RX200 family - MCUs that will meet the needs of applications requiring low-voltage operation and low power consumption.