Date: 29/05/2012

50 DMIPS 32-bit microcontroller from Renesas for portable applications

Renesas Electronics Corporation has introduced the RX220 Group of 11 entry-level devices to provide better scalability for embedded designers moving from 8- and 16-bit to 32-bit applications. The new RX220 general purpose MCU is based on the RX CPU core that offers better performance and low power consumption for consumer and industrial applications. The applications include electric household appliances, smartphones devices and digital cameras, industrial equipment, and measuring devices.

The RX200 Series, from the RX family, supports low-voltage operation and features low power characteristics. Renesas has developed the RX220 Group of entry-level products that simplify the transition to the RX family and to 32-bit MCUs.

Features of the RX220 Group of MCUs:
1. Achieves processing performance of approximately 50 Dhrystone MIPS (DMIPS) (1.56 DMIPS/MHz) at 32 megahertz (MHz). The power consumption is reduced to less than half that of the earlier RX200 Series when operating in the low-frequency range down to 8 MHz.
2. The RX CPU core delivers performance of 1.56 DMIPS/MHz among mid-range MCUs. It is possible to reduce the processing time through intermittent operation in which processing and standby stages alternate.
3. Achieves power consumption of 0.2 mA/MHz when only the CPU is operating and the peripheral functions are halted. When operating in software standby mode, the RX220 devices achieve a level of 2 µA.
4. Compatible with the RX210 Group which features a maximum operating frequency of 50 MHz and RX630 Group that features a maximum operating frequency of 100 MHz.
5. Supports operating voltage range of 1.62 V to 5.5 V.
6. Maximum operating frequencies are: 4 MHz at 1.62 V to 1.8 V, 8 MHz at 1.8 V to 2.7 V, and 32 MHz at 2.7 V to 5.5 V.
7. The RX220 offers built-in safety functions, including:
a. A clock frequency accuracy measurement circuit (CAC) that detects any rise or fall in the clock frequency.
b. An oscillator oscillation stop detection circuit.
c. A data operation circuit (DOC) that assists in RAM error testing.
d. A cyclic redundancy check (CRC) function for detecting communication errors.
e. An independent watchdog timer (IWDT) that operates on a clock separate from the system clock.
f. Self-diagnostic functions for detecting disconnection of the analog input to the A/D converter and detecting A/D converter malfunctions.
8. VDE certified for IEC60335-compliant self-test software.
9. Peripheral functions include a 12-bit ADC, three-phase driver control timer, real-time clock and event link controller.
10. Available in versions with a 100-pin package and 256 KB of flash memory to low pin-count, small memory capacity versions with a 48-pin package and 32 KB of flash memory (the latter not covered by the RX200 Series).
Samples of the RX220 Group of MCUs are available now and are priced at US$1.85 per unit in 10K unit quantities. Mass production of the RX220 devices is scheduled to begin in December 2012 and is expected to reach a scale of 1,000,000 units per month in December 2013.