Renesas launches Cellular-to-Cloud IoT development platforms

1 min read

Renesas Electronics has unveiled two new cloud development kits, CK-RA6M5 and CK-RX65N, providing a complete connectivity solution for its RA and RX Families of 32-bit microcontrollers (MCUs).

The cloud kits are the first to be equipped with Renesas’ RYZ014A Cat-M1 module, a certified LTE cellular module that offers the ability to establish wireless connection between MCUs and cloud services quickly and securely without a gateway.

Using these cloud kits, engineers will be able to develop IoT cloud products and solutions without having to design their own complex circuitry and software stacks. The kits include the RYZ014A Cat-M1 Pmod module, multiple sensors, a high-performance MCU, hardware-based security, and a reliable software stack.

The kits are ready to connect to global cloud service providers such as AWS Cloud and IoT services and both are designed to run on AWS (Amazon Web Services) FreeRTOS for CK-RA6M5 using FSP (Flexible Software Package) and CK-RX65N using RDP (RX Driver Package). Once connected to AWS IoT Core, the kits have access to many Cloud and IoT services from AWS for data analytics and IoT device management.

“With Renesas’ first cellular Cat-M1 module, we are adding ubiquitous cellular connectivity to our cloud solution offerings, providing our customers more flexible and reliable cloud connectivity options,” said Roger Wendelken, Senior Vice President in Renesas’ IoT and Infrastructure Business Unit. “Our complete cloud solutions allow engineers to focus on designing unique IoT systems that can be adopted in a wide variety of applications such as building and home automation, smart metering, healthcare and industrial applications.”

The cloud kits are the first to support the Renesas’ RA6M5 and RX65N MCU groups under a unified development platform, ensuring a consistent user experience. The CK-RA6M5 and CK-RX65N both have identical hardware and software features and a common dashboard user interface to access real-time cloud data.

In addition to the Cat-M1 RYZ014A wireless module, the kits also provide an option to use Ethernet to securely connect to cloud when the Cat-M1 network is not available.

Renesas said that it plans to offer more wireless connectivity options in the future. These kits will also be offered as part of Renesas’ Quick-Connect IoT Platform, which combines standard hardware and software building blocks to enable rapid prototyping of IoT systems.