Microprocessor uses RISC-V CPU ISA

Expanding upon Renesas' previously available Arm CPU core–based MPUs, the RZ/Five is the first general-purpose MPU on the market based on an Andes AX45MP utilising a RISC-V CPU instruction set architecture (ISA).

The enhanced 64-bit RISC-V MPU offers users greater flexibility by providing the tools and building blocks to help get designs to market faster, including support through Renesas' RZ Partner Ecosystem.

The RZ/Five-RISC-V microprocessor is a single-core, 64-bit processor with a maximum operating frequency of 1 GHz.

It has 128KB of internal SRAM with ECC and 16-bit DDR4-1600 or DDR3L-1333 memory interfaces with in-line ECC supporting up to 4GB of RAM.

Peripheral functions include support for multiple interfaces, including two Gigabit Ethernet MAC channels, two USB 2.0 channels, and two serial CAN/CAN-FD interfaces.

Additional features of the RZ/Five include a 2-channel, 12-bit ADC, thermal sensor, four I²C interfaces, three SPI interfaces, and GPIOs. For security support, the MPU also has 1Kbit of OTP memory, secure boot, a crypto engine, and secure JTAG.

For additional design flexibility, the peripheral functions and package of the RZ/Five are pin-compatible with those of the Arm core-based RZ/G2UL, allowing for easy reuse of existing and proven designs.

The RZ/Five-RISC-V microprocessor is available in either a 13 mm x 13 mm BGA-361 or an 11 mm x 11 mm BGA-266 package.

The BGA-361 option includes a 2-channel Gigabit Ethernet Interface, whereas the BGA-266 option includes a 1-channel Gigabit Ethernet Interface. Both packages feature a 0.5 mm pitch.

Explicitly developed for Internet of Things (IoT) endpoint devices, the RZ/Five-RISC-V microprocessor is ideally suited for applications such as Industrial IoT (IIoT) or industrial gateways used for entry-class social infrastructure control and industrial control, respectively. The microprocessor also offers long-term Linux support through a Verified Linux Package (VLP) featuring Civil Infrastructure Platform (CIP) Linux to address corporate infrastructure and industrial applications requiring high reliability and extended service life.

For evaluation and development, Mouser offers the RZ/Five evaluation board kit, which provides a complete demonstration and development platform for the microprocessor.

The kit is available for purchase on the Mouser website and consists of a Module Board (SOM) and a Carrier Board, and includes a wide range of interfaces such as Gbit-Ethernet, CAN, and USB 2.0.