TOKYO, Japan, Sep 18, 2025 – Renesas Electronics has introduced the RA0L1 microcontroller (MCU) group, built on the Arm Cortex-M23 processor. The devices are designed for low power use and include capacitive touch for battery-powered consumer electronics, appliances, and industrial control systems. The RA0 series, launched in 2024, is known for low power consumption and low cost. The RA0L1 devices add capacitive touch functionality for creating low-power user interfaces at low cost.
RA0L1 MCUs deliver power consumption of 2.9mA current in active mode, and 0.92mA in sleep mode. In addition, a high-speed on-chip oscillator (HOCO) enables a wake-up time for this class of microcontroller. The wake-up enables the RA0L1 MCUs to stay in software standby mode, where power consumption drops to 0.25 µA. With this feature, current consumption can be reduced by up to 90%.
Feature Set Optimized for Low Cost
The RA0L1 devices have a feature set for cost-sensitive applications. They offer an operating voltage range of 1.6V to 5.5V so customers don’t need a level shifter/regulator in 5V systems. The RA0L1 MCUs also integrate multiple communications interfaces, analog functions, safety functions and security functionality to reduce customer BOM cost. A range of packaging options is also available, including 4mm x 4mm 24-pin QFN.
In addition, the new MCU’s (±1.0%) HOCO improves baud rate accuracy and enables designers to forego a standalone oscillator. It maintains this precision in environments from -40°C to 125°C. This temperature range enables customers to simplify thermal design by avoiding “trimming,” even after the reflow process.
Renesas Capacitive Touch Leadership
Renesas offers capacitive touch technology for building touch interfaces in various systems. Its self-capacitance method supports waterproof designs with reduced complexity than mutual capacitance solutions. Renesas’ multi-frequency measurement meets IEC61000 4-3 Level 4 standards for electromagnetic interference protection, making it suitable for medical devices. Renesas also provides development resources, including QE for capacitive touch, which helps adjust sensitivity settings for capacitive touch buttons.
“The RA0L1 combines the industry-leading power consumption and cost-effectiveness of our RA0 Series MCUs with our unmatched capacitive touch technology and tools,” said Daryl Khoo, vice president of the embedded processing marketing division at Renesas. “We look forward to the many innovative touch interface solutions that our customers will create using these devices.”
Key Features of the RA0L1 Group MCUs
- Core: 32MHz Arm Cortex-M23
- Memory: Up to 64KB integrated Code Flash memory and 16KB SRAM
- Extended Temperature Range: Ta -40°C to 125°C
- Timers: Timer array unit (16b x 8 channels), 32-bit interval timer (8b x 4 channels), RTC
- Communications Peripherals: 3 UARTs, 2 Async UART, 6 Simplified SPIs, 2 I2C, 6 Simplified I2Cs
- Analog Peripherals: 12-bit ADC, temperature sensor, internal reference voltage
- HMI: Capacitive Touch (up to 24 channels), Controlled Current Drive Port (up to 8)
- Safety: SRAM parity check, invalid memory access detection, frequency detection, A/D test, output level detection, CRC calculator, register write protection
- Security: Unique ID, TRNG, Flash access window, Flash read protection
- Packages: 24-, 32- and 48-pin QFNs, 32-, 48-pin LQFP, 20-pin LSSOP
The new RA0L1 Group MCUs are supported by Renesas’ Flexible Software Package (FSP). The FSP enables application development by providing all the infrastructure software needed, including multiple RTOS, BSP, peripheral drivers, middleware, connectivity, networking, and security stacks as well as reference software to build complex AI, motor control and cloud solutions. It also allows customers to integrate their own legacy code and choice of RTOS with FSP.
Winning Combinations
Renesas has combined the RA0L1 Group MCUs with compatible devices to offer winning combinations, including the Capacitive Touch Remote Controller. Renesas offers over 400 product combinations to help customers accelerate design and streamline product development.
Click here to know more about winning combinations.
Availability
The RA0L1 Group MCUs are available along with the FSP software, the RA0L1 Fast Prototyping Board and the RA0L1 Renesas Solution Starter Kit for Cap Touch. Samples and kits can be ordered either on the Renesas website or through distributors.
Source: Renesas Electronics
About Renesas Electronics
Renesas Electronics Corp., based in Tokyo, supplies power management integrated circuits (PMICs) and ships more than 1.5 billion power devices annually for computing, industrial, IoT, data center, and communications markets. Its portfolio includes PMICs, discrete devices, GaN power products, and design tools such as PowerCompass and PowerNavigator. These work with microcontrollers, SoCs, and connectivity solutions to support system design. The company was formed in 2010 through the merger of Renesas Technology and NEC Electronics, with origins in semiconductor units of Hitachi, Mitsubishi, and NEC. For the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2024, Renesas reported revenue between $9B and $10B.