Renesas Technology starts mass production of the 32bit RX610 group with up to 2MB flash embedded

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

“With this first RX610 group, we are starting a new era in the embedded microcontroller field for Renesas. The RX600 provides an outstanding performance level of 165 DMIPS and flexible memory line-up of up 2MByte”, comments Bernd Westhoff, Product Marketing Manager, Renesas Europe. “During this year, we will expand the RX600 series with further products in the connectivity and motor control fields, making the RX Platform the most versatile MCU product line-up on the market.”

The eight devices in the RX610 group provide embedded memory starting from 768 kB Flash with 128 kB RAM and are scalable up to 2 MB Flash with 128 kB RAM. The embedded flash memory is based on the renowned Renesas MONOS (Metal Oxide Nitride Oxide Silicon) technology that can be accessed at 100 MHz without wait state insertion. This enables maximum performance levels at any CPU frequency up to 100 MHz, without any limitation from flash technology.

The RX610 group also provides independent 32 KB data flash memory with a background operation (BGO) function that enables data to be written at the same time 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 like floating point unit (FPU) for system design flexibility. RX610 MCUs also achieve low-power consumption operation with 0.5 mA/MHz at full active mode.

To help customers shorten the development cycles of new embedded systems, Renesas, third-party suppliers as well their alliance partner network support the RX with a variety of hardware and software tools.

The RX610 group has a JTAG debugger interface. This enables customers to connect a Renesas E1 or E20 on-chip debugger or enable access to similar JTAG third party systems.

The RX610 group is widely available now. A Renesas starter kit is also available and allows developers to quickly evaluate the potential of RX610 to upgrade their existing designs while improving the performance, functionality and cost of their systems. Further information is available from Renesas sales offices.