Renesas self-test software is VDE certified

The latest self-test CPU software routines developed for the R8C/2X range are fully compliant with IEC60730-1 regulations and have now been certified by VDE (the German Association for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies).

VDE is recognised for its efforts on safety standards and approvals.

'This kind of software offers value to any firmware developers involved in safety critical applications and appliances because it is suitable for all Renesas R8C/2X microcontrollers,' said Vincent Mignard, Renesas marketing engineer for white goods and motor control.

In addition to the R8C's on-chip hardware safety features, the self-test CPU software makes it easier for manufacturers of industrial, motor control and home appliances to meet IEC60730-1 (IEC60335) class B safety requirements.

The IEC 60730-1/60335-1 safety standards require software running on an MCU to be able to detect any safety critical failures according to specific fault models.

Renesas has been certified for its periodic test routines for CPU registers and program counter test, stack test, RAM tests (using March X and C algorithms) and Flash check (using cyclic redundancy check engines).

The routines can be integrated into any existing software and can be called after reset and periodically during run time.

Such software enables the developer to design safety relevant software and to meet the certification process quickly and with less effort.

It may reduce development time and the test harness process by up to four months and the cost of certification by 15 per cent.

The software source code in C and ASM for R8C/2X is now available on the Renesas website, with detailed timing of routines, application notes and the VDE certificate.