Renesas Electronics Corporation has introduced the RA8T2 microcontroller group designed for motor control applications in industrial equipment and robotics systems. The devices feature a 1 GHz Arm Cortex-M85 processor with an optional 250 MHz Arm Cortex-M33 processor to address real-time control requirements for precision motor operation.
The RA8T2 MCUs utilize the Arm Cortex-M85 processor and Arm’s Helium technology to enhance digital signal processor and machine learning performance. This processing capability enables AI functions for predictive motor maintenance, potentially reducing equipment downtime costs.
The devices provide networking support through multiple communication interfaces, including two Gigabit Ethernet MACs with DMA, a two-port EtherCAT slave, and additional protocols. These communication capabilities support factory automation applications where networked devices require constant synchronization for command and data exchange.
RA8T2 devices include up to 1MB of MRAM non-volatile memory with 100 MHz access speed. MRAM provides faster write speeds with improved endurance and retention characteristics compared to Flash memory. The devices also feature Tightly Coupled Memory with 256KB for Cortex-M85 and 128KB for Cortex-M33 processors. TCM delivers precision real-time performance with reduced jitter for stable motor control processing under interrupt and branching conditions.
The motor control feature set includes timer functions supporting PWM functionality up to 300 MHz for efficient inverter waveform generation. The complementary PWM function of the GPT timer facilitates control algorithm implementation, including multi-phase complementary PWM output, automatic dead time insertion, asymmetric PWM generation, and integration with AD converters and comparators. Phase-counting functionality enables AC servo control using two-phase pulse encoder position information.
The RA8T2 ADC provides 16-bit resolution with channel-specific sample and hold functions across three channels, enabling simultaneous sampling of three-phase current values. This configuration eliminates correction processing requirements, reducing software overhead while improving control precision. Dual ADC units support simultaneous three-channel current sampling for two motors. Port Output Enable and comparator functions provide rapid PWM output shutdown during overcurrent detection, with selectable shutoff states matching inverter specifications.
Renesas has manufactured motor-control MCUs for over ten years, shipping over 230 million motor control processors annually to customers worldwide. The company offers motor control devices across multiple product lines, including RA MCU groups, 32-bit RX Family, 16-bit RL78 MCUs, and 64-bit RZ MPUs, along with RISC-V-based motor control processors.
The RA8T2 devices integrate 1MB MRAM and 2MB SRAM memory, including TCM allocations for both processors. Analog peripherals include two 16-bit ADCs with 30 analog channels, dual 3-channel sample and hold circuits, a 2-channel 12-bit DAC, and 4-channel comparators. Communication peripherals support Gigabit Ethernet, EtherCAT, USB2.0, CAN protocols, I3C, I2C, SPI, and serial interfaces. Security features include a cryptographic engine, immutable storage, secure debug capabilities, and tamper protection.
The devices are supported by Renesas’ Flexible Software Package, providing infrastructure software including RTOS options, peripheral drivers, middleware, connectivity stacks, and reference software for AI, motor control, and cloud applications. The FSP enables integration of legacy code and RTOS selection for application development flexibility.
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