Renesas Electronics Corporation has announced a pair of 32-bit MCUs that achieve up to 600 MHz processing speeds, the first MCUs in the family to utilize a 22nm process, and also designed with embedded magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM). The first in the RX Family for Renesas using a 22nm process technology, these microcontrollers feature embedded magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM). Both devices outperform the previous models, RX72M and RX72N (240 MHz), by more than two times. The new solutions are the RX74M for industrial and factory automation, including AC drives, industrial robots and programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and the RX74N for wider industrial applications, including smart meters, power conditioners and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
High-Speed Real-Time Processing Enabled by 22nm Process and MRAM
To improve system control and responsiveness as well as data processing capabilities, industrial devices require MCUs that can operate faster, integrate processing and memory capabilities into a single chip and communicate efficiently. The RX74M and RX74N MCUs, are based on a 22nm process and pack a 600 MHz RXv3e processor core, 1 MB of MRAM, 256 KB of zero-wait-state tightly coupled memory (TCM) and 1.5 MB of SRAM. These features enable the MCUs to handle demanding, time-critical operations while providing consistent performance, even when encountering frequent interrupts and branching operations.
Writing data to MRAM does not require erasing it beforehand, unlike traditional embedded flash memory. This allows the speed of code and data updates to be increased, with a marked reduction in programming time and system downtime. It has applications in industrial systems where settings and operating parameters are regularly revised, as well as log data.
Support for Major Industrial Networks Including EtherCAT, Ethernet TSN and CAN FD
There is increasing demand for seamless connectivity across multiple industrial Ethernet standards, yet supporting diverse protocols has conventionally required multiple devices. The RX74M integrates an EtherCAT slave controller, a TSN-capable Gigabit Ethernet switch and CAN FD onto a single chip. These features allow the device to support major industrial networks such as EtherCAT, PROFINET and EtherNet/IP on a single chip, including deterministic communication via TSN, as well as redundant network configurations such as EtherNet/IP DLR (Device Level Ring), which were not supported in previous generations. As a result, the device provides an IIoT-ready industrial network foundation that connects field devices to higher-level systems.
Hardware-Based Security Features Anticipating CRA and PQC
With the proliferation of IoT devices, regulations such as the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) are driving demand worldwide for security measures that span the entire device lifecycle.
The RX74M and RX74N enhance hardware-based security features by incorporating ProtectZone into the RX CPU, enabling secure and non-secure regions to be separated within a single chip. Furthermore, the next-generation Renesas Secure IP (RSIP) extends public-key cryptography beyond the conventional TSIP and supports authenticated encryption as well as a broader range of hash algorithms. This enables advanced, forward-looking security implementations, including post-quantum cryptography (PQC), within a single MCU.
“Industrial equipment development requires three key elements: advanced real-time performance, diverse industrial networking and robust security,” said Yoshi Ishikawa, Senior Director of the EP Advanced MCU Business Division at Renesas. “By integrating these requirements into a single chip, the new products simplify the design of increasingly complex industrial equipment and support the evolution of industrial automation.”
Improved Development Efficiency Through a Comprehensive Partner Ecosystem
Renesas collaborates with ecosystem partners to provide solutions for the RX74M and RX74N, helping customers shorten development time.
- Software: Codewerk, RT-Labs
- Development Tools: IAR
- Real-Time OS: eForce, Zephyr RTOS
