Summary of Evaluation kit for development of battery maintenance free IoT equipment
Renesas Electronics launched the RE Family, a lineup of energy harvesting embedded controllers using proprietary SOTB technology to eliminate battery maintenance. The launch includes the RE01 Evaluation Kit, designed to accelerate IoT development without batteries. This kit features an RE01 controller, energy harvesting interfaces, Arduino compatibility, and various expansion boards for sensors, wireless connectivity, and displays, supported by comprehensive software tools.
Parts used in the RE01 Evaluation Kit:
- RE01 embedded controller
- Interface for the energy harvesting device
- Rechargeable battery interface
- Arduino-compatible interface
- Pmod connector
- Ultra-low-power MIP LCD expansion board
- Sample code for power management design
- Driver software supporting CMSIS
- Sample code for ultra-low power A/D converters
- Sample code for digital filter and FFT routines
- Sample code for 2D graphics MIP LCDs
- Secure boot and secure firmware update functions
- Application notes
Renesas Electronics Corporation has launched its RE Family, which comprises the company’s current and future lineup of energy harvesting embedded controllers. The RE Family is based on the company’s proprietary SOTB process technology, which reduces power consumption in both the active and standby states, excluding the requirement for battery replacement or recharging.
“Energy harvesting eliminates the labour and costs associated with battery maintenance and is a key solution contributing to environmental conservation,” said Hiroto Nitta, senior vice president, head of SoC Business, IoT and Infrastructure Business Unit at Renesas. “I am extremely pleased that Renesas’ technology innovation with SOTB has enabled these alternative energy solutions, and with the new RE01 Evaluation Kit, Renesas will be making it possible for engineers around the world to quickly start the evaluation. We hope this will accelerate the spread of IoT equipment powered by energy harvesting.”
The new kit comprises an evaluation board which features an RE01 embedded controller, an interface for the energy harvesting device and a rechargeable battery interface. The kit also incorporates an Arduino-compatible interface for simple expansion and evaluation of sensor boards and a Pmod connector to develop and evaluate wireless functionality. Also, there is an ultra-low-power MIP LCD expansion board so that users can evaluate display functions faster. The kit also includes sample code and application notes that serve as references for power management design that removes the requirement for battery maintenance, and driver software that supports CMSIS, Arm’s Cortex Microcontroller Software Interface Standard. Sample code for ultra-low power A/D converters, digital filter and FFT routines, 2D graphics MIP LCDs, and secure boot and secure firmware update functions for improved security are offered. With these features, this kit makes it feasible to adopt energy harvesting based on RE01 Group devices at the system level and will expedite the development of equipment that does not need battery maintenance.
Source: Evaluation kit for development of battery maintenance free IoT equipment
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What is the primary benefit of the Renesas RE Family?
The RE Family uses SOTB process technology to reduce power consumption in active and standby states, eliminating the need for battery replacement or recharging. -
How does the RE01 Evaluation Kit support sensor expansion?
The kit incorporates an Arduino-compatible interface that allows for simple expansion and evaluation of sensor boards. -
Does the kit include tools for developing wireless functionality?
Yes, the kit includes a Pmod connector specifically to develop and evaluate wireless functionality. -
What display options are available on the evaluation kit?
An ultra-low-power MIP LCD expansion board is included so users can evaluate display functions faster. -
Which software standard is supported by the driver software in the kit?
The kit includes driver software that supports CMSIS, which stands for Arm's Cortex Microcontroller Software Interface Standard. -
Can engineers use the kit to evaluate secure firmware updates?
Yes, sample code offering secure boot and secure firmware update functions is provided to improve security. -
What types of mathematical routines are supported by the sample code?
The sample code includes routines for digital filters and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) calculations. -
How does the RE Family contribute to environmental conservation?
Energy harvesting eliminates labor and costs associated with battery maintenance, serving as a key solution for environmental conservation.
