Renesas RE Family: 32‑Bit Low‑Power Controllers Powered by Energy Harvesting

Renesas Electronics, a worldwide authority in semiconductor technology, has launched the RE Family—an integrated line of energy‑harvesting embedded controllers designed for ultra‑low‑power applications.

Built on Renesas’ patented Silicon on Thin Buried Oxide (SOTB) process, the RE Family delivers unprecedented power efficiency in both active and standby modes, eliminating the need for batteries or frequent recharging.

The flagship RE01 unit is a 32‑bit microcontroller that incorporates an Arm Cortex‑M0+ core running up to 64 MHz. With 1.5 MB of low‑power flash and 256 KB of SRAM, it supports sophisticated, intelligent functions while drawing minimal current from ambient energy sources such as light, vibration, or fluid flow.

Operating at voltages as low as 1.62 V, the RE01 is available in three compact packages: a 156‑pin WLBGA, a 144‑pin LQFP, and a 100‑pin LQFP. Its integrated energy‑harvesting controller, 14‑bit ultra‑low‑power ADC, and graphics‑manipulation circuitry further enhance its suitability for self‑powered IoT and sensor‑driven devices.

The RE01 Evaluation Kit supplies a development board equipped with the controller, a dedicated energy‑harvesting interface, a rechargeable‑battery port, an Arduino‑compatible header, and a Pmod connector for wireless module testing. This kit accelerates prototyping and validation for designers seeking reliable, battery‑free solutions.