Renesas Electronics Corporation has introduced the RA2T1 microcontroller (MCU) group based on the Arm Cortex-M23 processor optimized for motor control systems. RA2T1 devices are specifically designed for single-motor applications such as fans, power tools, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, printers, hair dryers and many more.
Feature set optimized for motor control
The new RA2T1 devices include a number of features designed to enhance motor control function, specifically in single-motor systems. One of the notable features is a three-channel S&H function that simultaneously detects the three-phase current values of brushless DC (BLDC) motors. This method provides superior control accuracy as opposed to sequential measurement methods. The RA2T1 MCUs also offer complementary pulse width modulation (PWM) function of the timer, which enables automatic insertion of dead time and generation of an asymmetric PWM. This function is optimized for inverter drive, which facilitates control algorithm implementation.
The RA2T1 devices offer safety features that are critical in motor control applications. They provide a port output enable function and a high-speed comparator that work together to quickly shut off the PWM output when an overcurrent is detected. The shutdown state can be selected according to the inverter specifications.
Key features of the RA2T1 group MCUs
- Core: 64 MHz Arm Cortex-M23
- Memory: 64 KB Flash, 8 KB SRAM, 2 KB Data Flash
- Analog peripherals: 12-bit ADC with three-channel sample and hold, temperature sensor, internal reference voltage, two-channel high-speed comparators
- System: High-, mid- and low-speed on-chip oscillators; clock output; power-on reset; voltage detection; data transfer, event link and interrupt controllers; low-power modes
- Safety: PWM forced shutdown, SRAM parity error check, ADC self-diagnosis, clock frequency accuracy measurement, illegal memory access detection
- Operating temperature range: Ta = -40° C to 125° C
- Operating voltage: 1.6 V to 5.5 V
- Packages: 48 LQFP, 32 LQFP, 48 QFN, 32 QFN, 24 QFN (4 mm x 4 mm)
The new RA2T1 Group MCUs are supported by Renesas’ Flexible Software Package (FSP). The FSP enables faster application development by providing all the infrastructure software needed, including multiple RTOS, BSP, peripheral drivers, middleware, connectivity, networking and security stacks as well as reference software to build complex artificial intelligence (AI), motor control and cloud solutions. It allows customers to integrate their own legacy code and choice of RTOS with FSP, thus providing full flexibility in application development. Using the FSP will ease migration of motor control designs to other RA Series devices.
Winning combinations
Renesas has combined the new RA2T1 Group MCUs with numerous compatible devices from its portfolio to offer a wide array of Winning Combinations, including portable power tools, smart BLDC ceiling fan, cordless vacuum cleaner and cordless leaf blower. Winning combinations 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 website.
