Renesas boosts IoT security features on RX65N/RX651 MCUs
The development is in the RX65N/RX651 Group of MCUs, and addresses advanced security needs for connected devices operating in industrial automation, building automation, and smart metering systems. The expanded lineup features MCUs with integrated Trusted Secure IP, and enhanced, trusted flash functionality and human-machine interface (HMI) for industrial and network control systems.
The expanded RX65N/RX651 devices support evolving security and reprogrammability needs, earning Cryptographic Algorithm Validation (CAVP) certification. These security advancements enable seamless flash firmware updates in the field through secure network communications.
Features include;
– Integrated Trusted Secure IP
These MCUs are based on the high-performance RXv2 core and a 40 nm process, which provide power efficiency for CPU operation at 4.55 Core Mark/MHz. Integrating the Trusted Secure IP into the new MCUs enables system control engineers to realize high root-of-trust levels for device operation through a combination of three new features: Protect encryption key by Trusted Secure IP; Integration of encryption hardware accelerators including AES, 3DES, SHA, and TRNG as part of Trusted Secure IP; Protect boot code by area of Flash.
The Trusted Secure IP received the CAVP certification, which ensures the customer will use a device with a high security level.
– Network connectivity and HMI features optimized for the IIoT
Renesas has optimized the new RX65N/RX651 MCUs for connected industrial environments. The new MCUs offer network connectivity and HMI support that makes it possible to: Monitor the operating state of machinery from both inside and outside the factory; Exchange data for making changes to production instructions; and reprogram the MCU’s memory to update equipment settings
Design engineers are often asked to integrate small TFT displays into their IoT edge devices or system control applications. These displays allow users to monitor machine behavior through a modern low-cost HMI solution. The RX65N/RX651 is an ideal solution for controlling these displays as it features an embedded TFT controller and an integrated 2D graphic accelerator to provide advanced graphics features and high-performance applications. Selecting a WQVGA display size allows the large 640 kB of on-chip RAM to be used as display frame buffer, which saves external RAM, ensuring a cost-optimized design.
– Seamless in-the-field firmware updates
Compared with other IoT devices, industrial applications are designed for long-term operation, which involves unique and sometimes challenging requirements, such as firmware updates in the field. The new RX65N/RX651 MCUs feature dual bank flash integration supporting both BGO (Back Ground Operation) and the SWAP function, making it easier for system and network control manufacturers to execute in-the-field firmware updates securely and reliably.
– Embedded drivers and portability through Firmware Integration Technology (FIT)
FIT is a holistic concept that emphasizes the embedded peripheral function module drivers and portability improvement between the RX65N/RX651 MCUs. The technology aims to lighten the burden of program development and resource management in software development using the entire family of RX MCUs. FIT provides a common application program interface for peripheral drivers and middleware for RX family, based on a Board Support Package, which controls the common information for these functions such as initial MCU, clock, and board settings. FIT is available for all RX devices and fully integrated into the development environment.
– Expanded RX ecosystem for increased design support
Renesas has expanded its RX tool infrastructure to help engineers jump start their development work. The Envision Kit provides an evaluation environment that allows engineers to benchmark MCU performance and start developing their own software. The new RX65N Renesas Starter Kit (RSK) includes a development board with MCU, display, on-chip debugger, trial Renesas C compiler and Integrated Development Environment (IDE), enabling engineers to get their evaluations and development up and running within a matter of minutes.
To jumpstart their display designs, RX users can also use several ecosystem partner tools, including graphic user interface (GUI) tools. The expanded RX65N/RX651 MCUs, Renesas RX65N Starter Kit, and Envision Kit are available now.
Renesas Electronics Europe; www.renesas.com
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