The ultra-low-power, low-cost RX130 group adds greater responsiveness and functionality to touch-enabled appliances and industrial building and automation applications requiring 3V or 5V system control and low power consumption. Featuring a new capacitive touch IP with improved sensitivity and robustness, and a comprehensive device evaluation environment, the new 32-bit RX130 MCUs are ideal for devices designed with challenging and non-traditional touch materials, or that are required to operate in wet or dirty environments, such as kitchens, bathrooms, or factories.
 
Key features of the new RX130 MCU group
• New capacitive touch IP for improved response, noise immunity and robustness
The RX130 MCU group combines excellent sensitivity and noise tolerance, making it possible to develop tactile keys using a variety of cover materials for a wide range of applications. These include control panels for electrical appliances used in locations where they are likely to get wet, household equipment that uses flush-mounted switches for a more aesthetically pleasing design, and industrial machinery that must be operated while wearing gloves for safety reasons.
 
The expanded RX130 group of MCUs features a new capacitive touch IP sensor that supports both self-capacitance and mutual capacitance for improved robustness and sensitivity. The capacitive touch sensor also improves noise immunity and sensitivity for operation in wet or dirty conditions. This allows manufacturers to apply tactile keys to a variety of challenging and non-traditional materials, such as wood, glass, or thick acrylic, opening up capacitive touch to a wider range of applications in wet environments while reducing the risks of safety hazards or malfunctions.
 
• Expanded on-chip memory for future design testing
Multi-language support, integrated HMI and system control, and enhanced functional safety are among the key trends driving demand for memory-on-a-chip in the home appliance, industrial automation, and construction markets.
 
Renesas has expanded the range of on-chip memory and package options for the RX130 series. Designers can select an MCU with 64 KB of flash memory in a 48-pin package, or 128 KB in an 80-pin package, and then upgrade to 128 KB, 256 KB, 384 KB, or 512 KB in a 100-pin package. This broad lineup allows designers to support evolving design needs using a single platform or common design as application code sizes and functionality continue to grow.
 
The RX130 MCU group complies with IEC/UL60730 safety standards for consumer electronics products, with several functional safety hardware elements built in.
 
• Easy migration path to higher-performance Renesa RX MCUs with touch control
In addition to full compatibility within the RX130 Group, the new MCUs are compatible with the RX231/RX230 MCU range, offering manufacturers a seamless migration path to the higher-performance Renesas MCUs for touch control and 5V system control solutions.
 
Pin and software compatibility enable the reuse of existing software resources and provide coverage for a range of low-end and high-end devices. Hardware compatibility is supported by Renesas' RIT Firmware Integration Technology (FIT) driver suite, which offers a common API that makes it easy for designers to seamlessly move up or down within the Renesas RX family, and also reduces the burden of program development and software resource management.
 
• Robust device evaluation environment to improve sensitivity
Renesas also provides a robust evaluation environment for the new RX130 MCUs to support both self-compensation and mutual capability functions. This includes:
• A Renesas starter kit designed for basic function assessment
• A Renesas Touch Solution Kit designed for a detailed evaluation of capacitive touch functions
• The Workbench6 v1.07.00.00 tool environment with improved noise immunity and tunability to enhance usability for capacitive touch software development
• Development environment tool

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