Renesas Electronics recently unveiled the RZ/A3UL group of microprocessors (MPU) that claims to enable a high-definition human-machine interface (HMI) and quick start-up for applications with high throughput and real-time capability requirements. The RZ/A3UL platform has been designed to allow clients to utilise the full potential of the real-time operating system (RTOS) while also leveraging a performance boost provided by the 64-bit Arm Cortex-A55 CPU core with the maximum frequency of 1 gigahertz, as claimed by the company. Application of RTOS allows systems for an instant startup, less than a second after its boot-up. Such systems are often utilised for technology that requires fast response time such as industrial equipment, home appliances and office automation equipment with liquid crystal displays or control panels, as well as audio equipment and POS terminals.
“Many customers who use RTOSes tell us that they want to retain features like excellent real-time capabilities and quick start-up, but that they also want higher resolution and better performance,” said Shigeki Kato, Vice President of the Enterprise Infrastructure Business Division at Renesas. “I am confident that the RZ/A3UL will deliver the higher performance required, while still giving customers the flexibility and ease of use offered by MCUs.”
The MPUs incorporate an Octal-SPI memory interface that enables simpler and more compact PCB designs. Additionally, the new devices include versions that support a DDR3L/DDR4 memory interface to facilitate the connection of high-speed DRAM. Furthermore, the DDR3L/DDR4 memory interface can reach a data transfer speed that is approximately 10 times faster than the Octal-SPI memory interface, maximising the performance needed to enable an HD (1280×720) class display and an interactive and more sophisticated HMI utilising camera input or various types of sensors according to the company.
The compatibility amongst the devices also allows engineers to easily transition from a product that can run an RTOS to a Linux-based product, facilitating efficient development across multiple product lines.
