Renesas RX260 and RX261 Microcontrollers Deliver High Efficiency and Advanced Touch Features with Security Functions

Renesas has recently introduced the RX260 and RX261, 32-bit microcontrollers designed for outstanding power efficiency, advanced touch functions, and robust security. Built on the RXv3 core, they deliver high performance of 355 CoreMark at 64MHz, with ultra-low active current (69μA/MHz) and standby current (1μA). Ideal for various applications, from consumer electronics to industrial and building automation and battery-powered devices, are these microcontrollers. Both groups feature the third-generation capacitive touch sensing unit (CTSU2SL), offering multi-frequency scanning to minimize false detections, active shielding against water interference, automatic touch event detection without CPU activation, and the MEC function to reduce touch measurement time and power consumption.

The area protection function is included in the RX260 for secure storage of programs such as secure boot. Robust security is ensured by the RX261 with its built-in AES, ECC, and SHA engines and management functions, which prevent unauthorized cryptographic engine use and key leakage. These versatile microcontrollers suit applications requiring efficiency, advanced touch interfaces, and enhanced security.

Additionally, Renesas claims that these chips are up to 25% more energy-efficient in active mode and 87% more efficient in standby mode compared to other MCUs in the 64 MHz class. Additionally, they feature onboard 8KB of data flash, removing the need for an external EEPROM.

Previously, Renesas launched its first 22-nm microcontroller, which is an expansion of the RA 32-bit Arm Cortex-M family that supports Bluetooth 5.3 low energy. We have also covered some other microcontrollers including the Infineon PSoC 4 HVPA-144K, the STMicroelectronics STM32U0 MCUs, the Microchip’s PIC18-Q20, and many more. Feel free to check those out, if you are interested in this topic.

Renesas RX260 and RX261 Microcontrollers Specifications:

• CPU: 32-bit RXv3 core delivering 355 CoreMark @ 64 MHz
• Memory: 128KB SRAM
• Storage:
  • 256KB/384KB/512KB code flash
  • 8KB data flash (onboard, eliminates the need for external EEPROM)
• I/Os:
  • Up to 11 communication functions:
    • RX261: USB full-speed (Host/Function), CAN FD, UART, SPI, I2C
    • RX260: UART, SPI, I2C
  • 37 to 89 general-purpose I/O ports (5V tolerant, open drain, input pull-up)
• Analog Features:
  • 12-bit A/D converter
  • Two 8-bit D/A converters
  • Comparator, capacitive touch sensing unit, temperature sensor
• Timers:
  • 16-bit/32-bit general-purpose PWM timer
  • 16-bit low-power timer, 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 to 12.5 MHz
  • Low-speed on-chip oscillator: 4 MHz
  • High-speed on-chip oscillator: 24/32/48/64 MHz (±1%)
  • The IWDT-dedicated on-chip oscillator of 15 kHz
• Security (RX261 only):
  • Renesas Secure IP (RSIP-E11A)
  • AES128/256, ECC, TRNG, SHA224, and SHA256
• Operating Voltage: 1.6V to 5.5V
• Power Efficiency:
  • Active current: 69μA/MHz
  • Standby current: 1μA
  • Snooze mode: Allows peripheral operation during standby for minimized power consumption
• 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

The RX260 and RX261 are introduced in this video, and you will learn how to set them up and begin using them. For more details, check out the RX261 page. Renesas provides the QE for the Capacitive Touch tuning tool, design guides, and sample programs. Pricing and more information are available on the Renesas RX products page as well as on the news page.

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