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Renesas' 40nm Process Technology: Enabling High Performance and Integration for Smart Embedded Applications

Posted on: 03/25/2024

Revolutionizing the landscape of microcontroller technology, Renesas has improved the power of our 40nm process technology to develop a new generation of MCUs. With its emphasis on high integration, power efficiency, performance, and scalability, Renesas’ 40nm MCU sets a new standard in the industry. By leveraging the advantages of smaller transistor sizes and optimized circuit design, these MCUs deliver unparalleled capabilities for a wide range of applications. From extended battery life in portable devices to enhanced processing power and responsiveness, the Renesas 40nm MCU technology is reshaping the possibilities of embedded systems. Let’s delve deeper into the transformative features and benefits that make these MCUs at the forefront of innovation.

Exploring the Key Features and Highlights of Renesas’ 40nm Process Technology

Renesas’ microcontroller unit (MCU) process technology has been evolving rapidly to keep up with the demands of the semiconductor industry. High-performance and integration MCUs are like agile maestros orchestrating a symphony of advanced technology, empowering industries to reach new heights of productivity and innovation. With our lightning-fast execution, seamless connectivity, and ability to process vast amounts of data, these MCUs have become the backbone of modern industrial systems, enabling real-time control, intelligent automation, and data-driven decision-making. We are actively reducing the size of its process nodes, with our 40nm nodes being the most popular technology. Renesas was first to deliver a 40nm-based MCU in 2013 and since then, has continued to evolve 40nm-based MCU devices to offer high performance and integration addressing a wide range of demanding applications. Renesas 40nm process technology is designed to integrate advanced features such as high-speed connectivity, advanced security features, and support for artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Through the use of advanced process techniques of 40nm technology, Renesas’ MCUs incorporate analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) with higher resolution, increased sampling rates, and improved linearity. Additionally, digital-to-analog converters (DACs) with enhanced resolution enable the generation of high-quality analog output signals. By pushing the boundaries of process technology, we continue to elevate the performance and functionality of our MCUs, empowering engineers to design innovative solutions for a wide range of applications that require robust analog capabilities. The trends shaping Renesas’ MCU process technology include shrinking process nodes, integration of advanced features, focus on power efficiency, and increased processing power. As these trends continue to evolve, Renesas is well-positioned to meet the changing needs of the semiconductor industry.

Renesas’ MCU Utilizing 40nm: Functions and Supporting Applications

The Renesas 40nm MCU utilizes a process technology known as the 40nm node. Our 40nm-based MCU offers leading features and ultimate integration as detailed in the table below.

Leading Edge 40nm MCU Features
Performance: High MHz and multi-core
Low Power: 50% power reduction
Integration: Large capacity flash
Reliability: 20 years data retention

This process technology refers to the size of the transistors and interconnects used in manufacturing the MCU. Renesas’ adoption of the Split-Gate MONOS (SG-MONOS) technology in our automotive microcontroller units (MCUs) brings forth a multitude of benefits that set them apart in the industry. With over 30 years of experience in charge trapping type Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) production, Renesas has established itself as a leader in delivering excellent features and reliability. Renesas has utilized charge trapping type NVM technology to achieve faster performance and integrate large flash memory in our MCUs. This technology enables efficient data storage and retrieval, resulting in quicker access times and improved system performance. We have also integrated large flash memory capacities into our MCUs, reducing the need for external memory devices and enhancing the MCU’s capabilities.

One standout advantage of the 40nm process technology is its world-class high-speed random read performance, positioning Renesas as the industry leader in this aspect. The ability to access data quickly and efficiently is crucial in many applications, and Renesas’ 40nm MCUs deliver unmatched performance in this regard. Furthermore, our 40nm process technology offers the fastest flash access without the need for “Wait States.” This means that data can be accessed rapidly, leading to enhanced system responsiveness and reduced latency. This advantage is particularly significant in real-time applications where quick data access is critical for seamless operation.

Renesas’ 40nm process technology also boasts a discrete storage node architecture based on charge trapping mechanisms. This design ensures high reliability and scalability, allowing the MCUs to withstand demanding operating conditions and adapt to evolving industry requirements. Additionally, the integration of thin nitride film storage (SiN) technology enables a low-profile cell design, making the MCUs compatible with advanced logic processes.

The implementation of Split-Gate (SSI) programming, which enables low-power programming operations, contributes to energy efficiency, reducing power consumption and extending battery life in portable devices. To further enhance performance and power efficiency, Renesas has incorporated low voltage word-line drive and eliminated high voltage in the read access path. These optimizations result in high-speed random read operations exceeding 400MHz while maintaining a small area size. The combination of high performance, low power consumption, and compact size makes Renesas’ 40nm MCUs ideal for a wide range of applications.

The Renesas’ 40nm technology brings significant advantages to a diverse set of industrial, consumer, and automotive applications. Amongst others, some of the leading advantages include in-charge trapping type NVM production, world-class high-speed random read performance, fastest flash access, high reliability, scalability, and optimized circuit design. Renesas continues to push the boundaries of MCU technology. These advancements empower engineers to design innovative solutions for various industries, where performance, power efficiency, and compact size are paramount.

Renesas’ MCU Value Added for Current Technology

Renesas’ 40nm process technology has enabled the development of a range of MCUs and MPUs offering advanced features and capabilities. Here are some examples of MCU products that utilize Renesas’ 40nm process technology, along with their functions and supporting applications:

RX72N Group

This group of MCUs is designed for industrial automation and control applications. It features a high-performance 32-bit RXv3 CPU core, up to 4MB of flash memory, and up to 640KB of RAM. The RX72N group also supports Ethernet, CAN, and USB communication interfaces, making it suitable for applications such as robotics, motor control, and factory automation.

RA6M5 Group

The RA6M5 group of MCUs is designed for high-performance IoT applications. It features a 200MHz Arm® Cortex®-M33 CPU core, up to 2MB of flash memory, and up to 512KB of RAM. The RA6M5 group also supports Ethernet, USB, and CAN FD communication interfaces, as well as security features such as AES and SHA cryptography. This makes it ideal for all connected applications as well as smart homes, building automation, and remote monitoring.

RX66T Group

The RX66T is an MCU designed for high-performance motor control applications in industrial automation systems and robotics. It features a 32-bit RXv3 CPU core, specialized peripherals, memory options, and communication interfaces like UART, SPI, I2C, and CAN. The RX66T also includes advanced safety and security features, such as built-in self-test functions and memory protection units. It operates at a wide voltage range, typically from 2.7V to 5.5V, and offers a comprehensive development ecosystem with software development tools, middleware, and libraries. The RX66T MCU is ideal for applications requiring precise motor control, such as industrial robots, motor-driven equipment, and automation systems.

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Renesas Leading 40nm-based MCU Devices

Renesas’ 40nm process technology has revolutionized the landscape of microcontroller technology by offering high integration, power efficiency, performance, and scalability. These advanced MCUs enable engineers to design innovative solutions for a wide range of applications, providing extended battery life, enhanced processing power, and responsiveness. With features such as high-speed flash memory, optimized circuit design, and advanced security capabilities, Renesas’ 40nm MCUs set a new standard in the industry. From industrial automation and control to IoT applications and motor control, these MCUs empower industries to achieve new levels of productivity and innovation. Renesas continues to push the boundaries of MCU technology, delivering value-added solutions that meet the evolving needs of the semiconductor industry.