New AI software framework eases development and enables easy migration with MPUs.
Renesas Electronics Corporation introduced the RA8P1 microcontroller (MCU) Group designed for artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and real-time analytics applications. The MCUs integrate a 1GHz Arm Cortex-M85 core and a 250MHz Cortex-M33 core, along with the Arm Ethos-U55 Neural Processing Unit (NPU). This configuration delivers CPU performance of over 7300 CoreMarks and AI processing capabilities of 256 GOPS at 500 MHz.
Designed for edge/endpoint AI
The RA8P1 microcontroller is designed for edge and endpoint AI applications. It incorporates the Ethos-U55 Neural Processing Unit (NPU), which handles compute-intensive tasks associated with Convolutional and Recurrent Neural Networks (CNNs and RNNs), enabling 256 multiply-accumulate operations per cycle, or 256 GOPS at 500 MHz. The NPU supports commonly used models such as DS-CNN, ResNet, MobileNet, and TinyYOLO. Depending on the network type, the Ethos-U55 can deliver significantly more inferences per second compared to using the Cortex-M85 processor alone.
Advanced technology
The RA8P1 MCUs are manufactured on the 22ULL (22nm ultra-low leakage) process from TSMC, enabling ultra-high performance with very low power consumption. This process also enables the use of embedded Magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM) in the new MCUs. MRAM offers faster write speeds along with higher endurance and retention compared with Flash.
Robust, optimized peripheral set for AI
Renesas has included dedicated peripherals, memory, and security features to support voice and vision AI, as well as real-time analytics applications. For vision AI, the microcontroller includes a 16-bit camera interface (CEU) compatible with image sensors up to 5 megapixels. A separate MIPI CSI-2 interface provides a low pin-count option with two lanes operating at up to 720 Mbps each. For voice AI applications, the device supports multiple audio interfaces, including I2S and PDM, to accommodate microphone input.
The RA8P1 offers both on-chip and external memory options for efficient, low latency neural network processing. The MCU includes 2MB SRAM for storing intermediate activations or graphics framebuffers. 1MB of on-chip MRAM is also available for application code and storage of model weights or graphics assets. High-speed external memory interfaces are available for larger models. SIP options with 4 or 8 MB of external flash in a single package are also available for more demanding AI applications.
New RUHMI framework
Along with the RA8P1 MCUs, Renesas has introduced RUHMI (Renesas Unified Heterogenous Model Integration), a comprehensive framework for MCUs and MPUs. RUHMI offers efficient AI deployment of the latest neural network models in a framework agnostic manner. It enables model optimization, quantization, graph compilation and conversion, and generates efficient source code. RUHMI provides native support for machine-learning AI frameworks such as TensorFlow Lite, Pytorch & ONNX. It also provides the necessary tools, APIs, code-generator, and runtime needed to deploy a pre-trained neural network, including ready-to-use application examples and models optimized for RA8P1. RUHMI is integrated with Renesas’s own e2Studio IDE to allow seamless AI development. This integration will facilitate a common development platform for MCUs and MPUs.
Advanced security features
The RA8P1 microcontrollers offer hardware-based security features suitable for critical applications. The integrated Renesas Security IP (RSIP-E50D) supports a range of cryptographic accelerators, including CHACHA20, Ed25519, NIST ECC curves (up to 521 bits), RSA (up to 4K), SHA2, and SHA3. Combined with Arm TrustZone, these features support integrated secure processing capabilities. The MCUs include a hardware Root-of-Trust and Secure Boot using a First Stage Bootloader (FSBL) stored in immutable memory. Additionally, XSPI interfaces with decryption-on-the-fly (DOTF) enable the secure execution of encrypted code stored in external flash.
Ready to use solutions
Renesas provides a wide range of easy-to-use tools and solutions for the RA8P1 MCUs, including the Flexible Software Package (FSP), evaluation kits and development tools. FreeRTOS and Azure RTOS are supported, as is Zephyr. Several Renesas software example projects and application notes are available to enable faster time to market. In addition, numerous partner solutions are available to support development with the RA8P1 MCUs, including a driver monitoring solution from Nota.AI and a traffic/pedestrian monitoring solution from Irida Labs. Other solutions can be found at the Renesas RA Partner Ecosystem Solutions Page.
Key features of the RA8P1 MCUs
- Processors: 1GHz Arm Cortex-M85, 500MHz Ethos-U55, 250 MHz Arm Cortex-M33 (Optional)
- Memory: 1MB/512KB On-chip MRAM, 4MB/8MB External Flash SIP Options, 2MB SRAM fully ECC protected, 32KB I/D caches per core
- Graphics Peripherals: Graphics LCD controller supporting resolutions up to WXGA (1280×800), parallel RGB and MIPI-DSI display interfaces, powerful 2D Drawing engine, parallel 16bit CEU and MIPI CSI-2 camera interfaces, 32bit external memory bus (SDRAM and CSC) interface
- Other Peripherals: Gigabit Ethernet and TSN Switch, XSPI (Octal SPI) with XIP and DOTF, SPI, I2C/I3C, SDHI, USBFS/HS, CAN-FD, PDM and SSI audio interfaces, 16bit ADC with S/H circuits, DAC, comparators, temperature sensor, timers
- Security: Advanced RSIP-E50D cryptographic engine, TrustZone, Immutable storage, secure boot, tamper resistance, DPA/SPA attack protection, secure debug, secure factory programming, Device Lifecycle management
- Packages: 224BGA, 289BGA
Winning combinations
Renesas has combined the new RA8P1 MCUs with numerous compatible devices from its portfolio to offer a wide array of Winning Combinations, including Video Conferencing Camera with AI Capabilities, AI Drawing Robot Arm and AI-Enabled Surveillance Camera. These designs are technically vetted system architectures from mutually compatible devices that work together seamlessly to bring an optimized, low-risk design for faster time to market. Renesas offers more than 400 Winning Combinations with a wide range of products from the Renesas portfolio to enable customers to speed up the design process and bring their products to market more quickly. They can be found at renesas.com/win.
Availability
The RA8P1 MCUs are available now. Renesas is also shipping an RA8P1 Evaluation Kit.
For more information, visit renesas.com.
