Renesas has introduced the RA8T2 series of 32-bit microcontrollers based on a high-performance 1GHz Arm® Cortex®-M85 processor for real-time control of motors in robotics, industrial and other systems. The Cortex-M85 core with Arm Helium™ vector extension provides a significant performance boost for digital signal processing and machine learning applications, enabling the implementation of AI on small industrial systems
The RA8T2 is available in single- and dual-core versions. The dual-core variant embeds an additional 250MHz Cortex-M33 core for supervisory, diagnostic, and communication functions without interfering with real-time processing.
In addition to strong processing power, the MCU includes multiple 32-bit general PWM timers with high-resolution channels: 52ps step size at 300MHz, suited for fine phase control in inverters and power supplies. Dual 16-bit ADCs with multiple sample-and-hold circuits, DACs, high-speed comparators and delta-sigma modulator interfaces support the accurate sensing of currents, voltages and positions in systems ranging from ac drives and servos to grid converters and test equipment.
The RA8T2 includes a Layer 3 Ethernet switch with Gigabit ports, and supports EtherCAT slave operation so that the MCU can be synchronized with other machines in an industrial network without needing a separate communication processor. Additional interfaces including CAN FD, I3C, OSPI and SDHI enable links to external controllers, sensors and memory for data-logging and configuration.
Up to 1Mbyte of MRAM is available on the RA8T2 series, offering faster write speeds and better retention than Flash memory. Each core also includes tightly coupled memory to allow real-time code to run from low-latency memory while other tasks use cached or external regions. Authenticated firmware, key storage and event logging are backed by integrated security features such as Renesas Security IP, a TrustZone® execution environment, secure debug, tamper protection and more.
Renesas provides development software to accelerate application development. The Renesas Flexible Software Package (FSP) provides all required infrastructure software as well as reference software for developing AI, motor control and cloud applications. The FSP provides full flexibility, allowing customers to integrate their own legacy code with a choice of RTOS.
Part Number: MCK-RA8T2
The MCK-RA8T2 development kit from Renesas is intended for evaluation of permanent-magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) and other three-phase brushless loads driven by RA8T2 microcontrollers. The kit combines an RA8T2 CPU board (MCB-RA8T2), a low-voltage inverter board (MCI-LV-1), a PMSM, and accessories such as cables and stand-offs, so that engineers can exercise typical control schemes on a ready-made power stage.
An onboard debugger supports direct programming of the RA8T2 from a PC without an external probe. Connectors for Hall sensors, encoders and communication interfaces allow a range of feedback and host-control arrangements to be assessed. Sample code supports rapid bring-up, parameter tuning and waveform observation, helping developers to characterize the behavior of RA8T2-based control and networking operations in their intended industrial applications.
Key features include:
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