Renesas — RA8E1 and RA8E2 Microcontrollers (MCUs)

Renesas RA8E1 & RA8E2 Microcontrollers (MCUs)

Further expanding the RA8 series

The RA8E1/E2 series of microcontrollers by Renesas are new groups within their RA8 series that will complement the current high-performance MCUs. The RA8E1/E2 come equipped with the industry leading Arm® Cortex®-M85 (CM85) achieving a remarkable 6.39 CoreMarks per MHz and Helium, the M-Profile Vector Extension (MVE) that uplift DSP and ML performance by 3 and 4 times respectively versus the previous generation Cortex®-M7 core.

Further expanding the RA8 series, the newer RA8E1/E2 are known for providing cost-optimized feature sets to target a variety of use cases that require limited peripheral / connectivity options while still providing high end performance in applications such as IA and HA. Both device groups can also be utilized as an entry point to higher performing RA family MCUs and upgrading to the RA8 mainstream line if further functionalities are necessary.

Key Benefits

Expanding Renesas’ Arm Cortex-M85 leadership
The Arm Cortex-M85, based on Armv8.1m architecture, achieves 6.39 CoreMarks/MHz, delivering high performance for demanding applications like endpoint AI and robotics. With a 7-stage superscalar pipeline—an upgrade from the Cortex-M7's 6-stage—it boosts scalar performance by 30%, enhancing efficiency.

The Cortex-M85 also includes Helium M-profile vector extension, delivering 4x AI/ML performance over the Cortex-M7, eliminating the need for additional DSPs and allowing streamlined system management under a single toolchain.

MCUs are feature-optimized to address price-sensitive applications in a wide range of markets
The RA8E1 and RA8E2 MCUs provide cost-effective entry points to the RA8 Series, expanding the lower end of the portfolio. The RA8E1 operates at 360 MHz with a streamlined feature set, ideal for price-sensitive applications.

The 480 MHz RA8E2 is optimized for high-performance needs, specifically targeting WVGA-resolution HMI applications.

Designed for easy migration within the RA8 Series with pin, function and software compatibility
The RA8E1 and RA8E2 MCUs are pin-to-pin compatible with the RA8M1 and RA8D1 groups, enabling seamless migration and scalability within the RA8 Series. This compatibility across hardware and software allows for easy upgrades from entry-line to mainstream devices.

The RA8E1 and RA8E2 MCUs offer software compatibility with other RA family devices, allowing customers to utilize Renesas’ Flexible Software Package (FSP) and robust development tools from Renesas and partners. Supported by a comprehensive ecosystem, these MCUs provide a broad array of software and hardware building blocks for diverse use cases, ready for immediate deployment.

Target Applications

End Products