The Renesas RX260 and RX261 two new 64 MHz microcontrollers part of the high-performance, high-efficiency RX product family with integrated capacitive touch-sensing and high power efficiency in both active and standby modes.
The microcontrollers are based on the RXv3 core with a performance score of 355 CoreMark @ 64MHz, which is “2.5 times higher than competing 64 MHz class MCUs.” The chips are also power-efficient, with a consumption rate of 69μA/MHz during active operation and 1μA only in standby mode. According to Renesas, the chips are up to 25% more efficient in active mode and 87% more efficient in standby mode than other 64 MHz class MCUs. Another competing factor is the onboard 8KB of data flash, eliminating the need for external EEPROM.
The RX260 and RX261 Group MCUs support noise- and water-resistant capacitive touch via Renesas’ third-generation capacitive touch IP (CTSU2SL). They also integrate an “automatic judgment function” that reduces current consumption by enabling touch detection even during standby.
Targeted applications include home appliances, building and factory automation, smart locks, e-bikes, and mobile thermal printers.
Previous Renesas offerings from earlier this year include the CCE4511 master IC, the Arduino Nicla Sense Env sensor module, the RRH62000 multi-sensor module, and the Cortex-M23-based RA0 MCU series.
RX261/RX260 Group MCU specifications:
- CPU – 32-bit RXv3 core delivering 355 CoreMark @ 64 MHz
- Memory – 128KB SRAM
- Storage – 256KB/384KB/512KB code flash, 8KB data flash
- I/Os
- Up to 11 communication functions
- USB full-speed (Host/Function), CAN FD, UART, SPI, I2C (RX261 Group)
- UART, SPI, I2C (RX260 Group)
- 37 to 89 General I/O ports (5-V tolerant, open drain, input pull-up)
- Up to 11 communication functions
- Analog – 12-bit A/D converter, 2x 8-bit D/A converter, comparator, capacitive touch sensing unit, temperature sensor
- Timers – 16-bit/32-bit general-purpose PWM timer, 16-bit low power timer, 16-bit compare match timer, 8-bit timer, RTC, Watchdog Timer
- Clock Sources
- External main clock input: Up to 20 MHz
- External sub-clock input: 32.768 kHz
- Main clock oscillator: 1 to 20 MHz
- Sub-clock oscillator: 32.768 kHz
- PLL/PLL2 circuit input: 4 MHz to 12.5 MHz
- Low-speed on-chip oscillator: 4 MHz
- High-speed on-chip oscillator: 24/32/48/64 MHz ± 1%
- IWDT-dedicated on-chip oscillator: 15 kHz
- Security
- Renesas Secure IP (RSIP-E11A) (for RX261)
- AES128/256, ECC, True-random number generator (TRNG), SΗA224, and SΗA256
- Operating Voltage – 1.6V to 5.5V
- Packages
- 100-pin LFQFP (14 × 14 mm, 0.5 mm pitch)
- 80-pin LFQFP (12 × 12 mm, 0.5 mm pitch)
- 64-pin LFQFP (10 × 10 mm, 0.5 mm pitch)
- 48-pin LFQFP (7 × 7 mm, 0.5 mm pitch)
- 48-pin HWQFN (7 × 7 mm, 0.5 mm pitch)
- Temperature Range: -40°C to 85°C, -40°C to 105°C
Renesas offers various support packages, including the QE for Capacitive Touch tuning tool, design guides, and sample programs. The company has also designed two Winning Combinations, a “Robust Operational Touch Panel with CAN FD” and a “Portable Thermal Printer,” to demonstrate functionality and accelerate time to market.
Pricing and additional details can be found on the Renesas RX products page.
Thanks to TLS for the tip.
Tomisin is a writer specializing in hardware product reviews, comparisons, and explainers. He is very passionate about small form factor and single-board computers.
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