MCUs from the S7G2 group feature a 240MHz ARM Cortex-M4 CPU core and 4Mbyte of flash, enough to accommodate the software needs of HMI applications today and in the future, says the company. Meanwhile, the S3A7 MCUs feature a 48MHz ARM Cortex-M4 CPU to deliver a hardware solution suited to power efficient HMI applications. Both groups are pin and peripheral compatible, allowing software developed for one MCU group to be used with the other.
The MCUs integrate support in silicon for touchscreen LCDs, including a capacitive touch sensing unit. The S7G2 has a configurable LCD colour graphics controller, while S3A7 MCUs have a segment LCD controller.
Design kits for both MCU families are also available. The DK-S7G2 kit, pictured, has a detachable 4.3in WQVGA colour touch LCD plus a VGA camera, while the DK-S3A7 kit has a detachable custom segment LCD and extensions for evaluation of Renesas’ capacitive touch technology. The kits feature a range of connectivity options, including a Bluetooth Low Energy 4.0 radio.
Renesas has also released the first product example for S7G2 MCUs. This provide developers with a complete example of an HMI end product implementation. The PE-HMI1 features a step by step approach, taking developers through the various choices, allowing them to use the design ‘as is’ or to alter it to suit their application.
