- In response to the increased security risks accompanying the proliferation of communication standards, high-speed encryption functions (AES, DES, SHA, and RNG) are implemented in on-chip hardware. This provides robust protection against leaks of important data and communication data.

- Previous Renesas MCUs offered functionality to protect leaks of post-development code by preventing code stored in the on-chip flash memory from being read by external devices. The RX71M expands this coverage to the development stage with a trusted memory function that protects important algorithms from being leaked or copied without authorization. The trusted memory function sets aside a special area of memory from which code cannot be read (copied) even by the internal modules of the microcontroller, such as the on-chip flash memory. This function prevents core software technology from being disclosed, even when development takes place at overseas facilities or is undertaken jointly with other companies.

(3) Up to 45 percent reduction in BOM cost and double the performance of earlier products thanks to exclusive Renesas high-speed flash technology and large on-chip memory capacity

- High-speed flash memory employing the cutting-edge 40 nm flash process and capable of operating at 120 MHz, and the advanced fetch unit (AFU) incorporating exclusive cache-based memory control technology, achieve performance equivalent to no-wait access when operating at 240 MHz. Even if a cache miss occurs, the performance penalty is equivalent to only one cycle, so excellent real-time performance can be achieved even when using only the flash memory.

- The available on-chip memory configurations extend up to a maximum of 4 MB of flash memory, the largest capacity available in this class of product; 512 KB of parity checkable user RAM; and 32 KB of single error correction/double error detection ECC RAM. This makes it possible to do without external high-speed SRAM. The RX71M allows customers to utilize the on-chip memory to the full, realizing a reduction in BOM cost of as much as 45 percent.

Renesas intends to continue to develop and aggressively market MCUs combining advanced functionality and excellent performance for use in the industrial equipment and embedded networking devices forming the foundation of the continually expanding “smart society.”

Robust Development Ecosystem

For a quick development start, the RX71M MCU is supported by a robust development tool environment from both Renesas and third-party tool vendors that make up the RX ecosystem. Renesas provides a comprehensive development ecosystem for the RX Family, including e² studio, a powerful Eclipse-based IDE, as well as compilers, debuggers, code generation tools, and flash programmers. In addition, the RX71M device is supported by the IAR Embedded Workbench for Renesas RX compiler and integrated development environment (IDE). RTOS and middleware is available from leading third-party companies such as Micrium, Segger, CMX, Express Logic, RoweBots, and FreeRTOS.

Extensive software examples and drivers are provided by Renesas, including the Firmware Integration Technology (hereinafter "FIT") Drivers. FIT is a completely new concept that emphasizes the simplification of embedding peripheral function module drivers and improves the portability between RX MCUs. Software examples and FIT drivers can be downloaded from the Renesas website.

Availability

Samples of the RX71M MCUs are available now. Mass production is scheduled to begin in June 2015 and is expected to reach a combined volume of 500,000 units per month by May 2016. (Availability is subject to change without notice)

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About Renesas Electronics Corporation

Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723), the world’s number one supplier of microcontrollers, is a premier supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions including microcontrollers, SoC solutions and a broad-range of analog and power devices. Business operations began as Renesas Electronics in April 2010 through the integration of NEC Electronics Corporation (TSE:6723) and Renesas Technology Corp., with operations spanning research, development, design and manufacturing for a wide range of applications. Headquartered in Japan, Renesas Electronics has subsidiaries in 20 countries worldwide. More information can be found at www.renesas.com.

Renesas Electronics America Media Contact:
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Sundeep Dosanjh, 415-975-2219
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