TOKYO, Japan, Sep 29, 2025 – Renesas Electronics has launched the RA8T2 microcontroller (MCU) group, built for motor control and industrial precision. Powered by a 1 GHz Arm Cortex-M85 processor with an optional 250 MHz Cortex-M33, the devices target equipment, robotics, and systems that demand fast and accurate performance. The dual-core setup allows real-time control and communication on a single chip, reducing cost, power, and board space. This combination positions the RA8T2 to handle motor tasks while supporting industrial applications.
The RA8T2 MCUs use the Arm Cortex-M85 processor and Helium technology to improve digital signal processing (DSP) and machine learning (ML) tasks. These features support AI functions that help predict motor maintenance needs and reduce downtime.
The RA8T2 MCUs also include multiple networking options. They provide two gigabit ethernet MACs with DMA, a two-port etherCAT slave, and other communication interfaces for industrial use.
The RA8T2 devices include up to 1 MB of high-speed MRAM (magnetoresistive random access memory) with 100 MHz access. MRAM provides faster write speeds, higher endurance and better data retention than flash memory. RA8T2 also feature TCM (tightly coupled memory), with 256 KB for the Cortex-M85 and 128KB for the Cortex-M33. This memory supports stable motor control even under interruptions and branching.
“The RA8T2 Group extends our long-term industry leadership in motor control solutions, offering unparalleled levels of performance and functionality,” said Daryl Khoo, vice president of the embedded processing marketing division at Renesas. “These devices showcase the breadth and depth of our technology and demonstrate our deep understanding of what our motor control customers need to build next-generation factory automation and robotics products.”
Feature Set Optimized for Motor Control
The RA8T2 devices include a timer that supports PWM operation up to 300 MHz. This feature simplifies control software and enables waveform generation for inverter applications. The GPT timer supports PWM function, optimized for inverter drives. It allows control of single-phase or three-phase systems, automatic insertion of dead time, generation of asymmetric PWM, and linkage with AD and comparators. A built-in phase-counting function enables control of AC servos using two-phase pulse encoders for axis position tracking. The RA8T2’s ADC includes three sample-and-hold channels (three channels) for simultaneous three-phase current sampling. This removes the need for correction, reduces software load, and improves precision. With two ADC units, users can measure two motors at once. The port output enable (POEG) and high-speed comparator shut off PWM output when overcurrent is detected. The shutoff state can be selected (Hi-z, Hi, Low) according to the inverter specifications.
Renesas Leadership in Embedded Processing for Motor Control
Renesas has shipped motor-control specific MCUs for over 10 years ago. The company ships over 230 million motor control embedded processors per year to thousands of customers worldwide. In addition to multiple RA MCU groups, Renesas offers motor-control specific devices in its 32-bit RX Family, its 16-bit RL78 MCUs and its 64-bit RZ MPUs. Renesas also introduced the RISC-V-based ASSP designed for motor control.
Key Features of the RA8T2 Group MCUs:
- Core: 1 GHz Arm Cortex-M85 with Helium and TrustZone; Optional 250 MHz Arm Cortex-M33
- Memory: Integrated 1MB high-speed MRAM and 2MB SRAM (including 256KB TCM for the Cortex-M85 and 128KB TCM for the M33)
- Analog Peripherals: Two 16-bit ADC with 30 analog channels, two 3-channel S/H, 2-channel 12-bit DAC, 4-channel high-speed comparators
- Communications Peripherals: Dual Gigabit Ethernet MAC with DMA, EtherCAT slave, USB2.0 FS Host/Device/OTG, CAN2.0 (1Mbps)/CAN FD (8Mbps), I3C(12.5Mbps), I2C(1Mbps), SPI, SCI, Octal serial peripheral I/F
- Advanced Security: RSIP-E50D Cryptographic engine, immutable storage for FSBL, secure debug, secure factory programming, DLM support, tamper protection, DPA/SPA protection
- Timers: 14-ch PWM timers, 4-ch high-resolution, 4-ch low-power timer (16-bit x2ch and 32-bit x2ch)
- Packages: 176-HLQFP, 224- and 289, and 303-BGA
The RA8T2 Group MCUs are supported by Renesas’ Flexible Software Package (FSP). The FSP enables faster 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 allows customers to integrate their own legacy code and choice of RTOS with FSP, thus providing flexibility in application development.
Winning Combinations
Renesas has combined the RA8T2 Group MCUs with many compatible devices from its portfolio to offer a wide array of winning combinations, including the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Renesas provides more than 400 product combinations from its portfolio. These combinations help engineers streamline design work and shorten the time needed to move products into production.
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Availability
The RA8T2 Group MCUs are available along with the FSP software. The new MCUs are supported in Renesas’ flexible motor control development kit that enables evaluation of motor control using permanent magnet synchronous motors (brushless DC motors), and the Renesas motor workbench development tool. This development kit offers a design platform with Renesas motor control MCUs from the RA and RX families, enabling migration of IP across numerous devices.
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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.