Renesas Ultra-Low Power RE Product Family Adds Bluetooth 5 Capability for Battery-Free IoT Devices

     Renesas Electronics Group has launched the RE01B microcontroller (MCU) supporting Bluetooth 5 (Bluetooth 5), expanding the ultra-low power 32-bit MCU RE product family. Using Renesas' breakthrough SOTB (Silicon on Thin Buried Oxide) process, the new Bluetooth RE01B MCU is ideal for energy harvesting systems and smart IoT that require continuous operation at extremely low power levels without battery replacement Ideal for (IoT) devices. RE01B MCUs provide easier access to routine data management and firmware updates via Bluetooth, and extended battery life for compact healthcare devices such as pulse oximeters and biomedical sensor patches, remote controls with voice recognition And the modified smart instrument module, etc. In addition, the RE01B is ideal for IoT devices that require continuous operation, periodic data collection and updates, such as those used to monitor the elderly, children, or track asset transfers.

     "We want ultra-low-power IoT devices to operate for a long time with limited or even zero maintenance, and battery maintenance and replacement has become one of the barriers to widespread device adoption," said Shigeki Kato, vice president of the Enterprise Infrastructure Business Unit at Renesas Electronics. One. We are excited to introduce the new RE MCUs with Bluetooth capabilities to address battery maintenance in a wider range of systems and meet the requirements of IoT system manufacturers.”

     Built on the Arm Corte-M0+ core, the RE01B uses Renesas' proprietary SOTB process technology, with a maximum operating frequency of 64MHz, current consumption as low as 35µA/MHz during operation and as low as 600nA during standby. among the lowest in the industry. In addition, the RE01B can be used in combination with the Renesas ISL9123 ultra-low Iq DC/DC converter as an external buck regulator, reducing the operating current consumption to 15µA/MHz for higher power efficiency.

     Renesas offers a variety of development tools, including QE for BLE (a generator for customizing Bluetooth profiles that can be integrated into users' existing applications), a Bluetooth test tool suite (a GUI is provided to allow users to Initial Wireless Characterization Evaluation and Bluetooth Functionality Verification).

     The RE01B combines Renesas analog and power products to create a comprehensive solution for a variety of applications. These "Success Portfolios" demonstrate the breadth and depth of Renesas' product lineup. Related applications include a wearable device reference design using the RE01 32-bit MCU, and a low-power Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) tracking solution ideal for tracking the movement of people, animals or assets.