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Unlocking Unprecedented Power Efficiency: Renesas' Advanced 110nm Process Technology

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Markus Vomfelde
Markus Vomfelde
Director
Published: January 26, 2024

In today's ever-evolving technological landscape, achieving optimal power efficiency is a critical goal for semiconductor manufacturers. Recognizing this demand, Renesas has developed cutting-edge advanced 110nm Process Technology, revolutionizing the world of low-power designs. At the heart of Renesas' advanced 110nm process technology lies a perfect balance between power efficiency, performance, and cost-effectiveness. Leveraging this state-of-the-art process node, Renesas has created a lineup of market-leading microcontrollers (MCUs) that embody the latest advancements in power management, integration, and performance.

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‘Tried & True’ – Renesas MCUs Made for You

Migrating Renesas’ MCUs from 130nm (MF3) to 110nm (MF4) Technology

Renesas, a pioneer in microcontroller technology, continues to push the boundaries of innovation with our advanced process technologies. One significant advancement is the migration from the MF3, utilizing the 130nm process technology, to the MF4, harnessing the power of the 110nm process technology. This transition brings a host of benefits, including improved performance, power efficiency, cost optimization, and enhanced features. Let's dive deeper into the advantages of migrating to the 110nm MF4 technology and explore how it unlocks new possibilities for developers.

The MF4 leverages the advanced 110nm process technology, offering a significant leap forward from the 130nm technology used in the MF3-based MCUs. With a smaller node size, the 110nm process enables higher transistor density, leading to increased integration and improved system performance. Developers can expect enhanced functionality, higher processing power, and improved energy efficiency in their designs.

One notable improvement in the MF4 process technology is the adoption of Embedded SuperFlash (ESF3) flash cell technology, building upon the foundation of ESF2. This advancement translates into faster read speeds, efficient programming and erasing operations, and improved data integrity. The result is smoother operation and improved system performance, allowing developers to create reliable and efficient flash memory-based solutions.

Transferring to the MF4 technology brings substantial power efficiency gains. The combination of the advanced 110nm process technology and optimized design techniques results in reduced power consumption. This is particularly beneficial for battery-operated or power-constrained applications, as it extends battery life and reduces energy costs. Developers can create energy-efficient solutions without compromising on performance, making the MF4 technology an ideal choice for a wide range of applications.

Cost optimization and enhanced peripherals are crucial aspects of any MCU migration, and the MF4 technology excels in this area. The smaller node size of the 110nm process technology allows for higher chip yield per wafer, the ability to add enhanced IP, and making it more cost and feature optimized. Furthermore, the improved integration and performance capabilities of the MF4 technology eliminate the need for additional components or external devices, further driving down system costs. This cost optimization, combined with advanced features such as higher memory capacities, improved communication interfaces, and enhanced peripheral integration, empowers developers to create sophisticated applications while staying within budget.

Renesas' commitment to longevity ensures that the MF4-based devices, built on the advanced 110nm process technology with ESF3 flash cell technology, provide a future-proof solution. With long-term support and compatibility guaranteed for at least the next 15 years, developers can have confidence in the availability, reliability, and compatibility of their designs. This commitment gives peace of mind and ensures that the MF4-based MCU is a solid choice for long-term projects.

MF4-based MCUs offer several advantages in terms of IP area size and read speed. Here are the key differences:

  • IP Area Size: When migrating from MF3 to MF4, there is a reduction in IP area size. The IP area size refers to the size of the intellectual property (IP) components integrated into the MCU. In the case of a 512KB Flash area size, the MF4 MCU achieves a 30% reduction in size compared to MF3, resulting in a smaller footprint. This size reduction can have benefits in terms of overall system integration and cost efficiency.
  • Read Speed: The MF4-based MCU offers an improvement in read speed compared to the MF3 process technology-based MCU. While the MF3-based MCU has a read speed of 32MHz, the MF4-based MCU provides a faster read speed of over 48MHz. This increased read speed enables quicker access to the MCU's memory, leading to faster execution of instructions and improved system performance.

From the 130nm to the 110nm Renesas' advanced process technology opens up new possibilities for developers. With improved performance, power efficiency, cost optimization, and enhanced features, the MF4 technology enables developers to unlock the full potential of their applications. Embrace the migration to the 110nm and embark on a journey of innovation, efficiency, and success in the world of microcontrollers.

Unlocking New Possibilities with Renesas' MF4-based MCUs Adapting 110nm Process Technology

The Renesas MF4-based MCUs including device families such as RL78/G2x, RX100, and RA2 offer high reliability, scalability, and several features related to the ESF flash cell technology, fabrication process, and overall performance.

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Renesas RA, RL78, and RX MCUs

Here are some major highlights:

ESF Flash Cell Technology: The 110nm-based MCU utilizes the 3rd-generation ESF flash cell technology, which provides reliable and robust non-volatile memory for program storage. ESF technology offers high endurance, data retention, and reliability, ensuring the integrity of stored data.

ESF Fabrication Process: The ESF flash cell technology is implemented using a specialized fabrication process. This process is designed to optimize the performance and reliability of the flash memory, ensuring consistent and stable operation.

Standard CMOS Process Compatibility: The MF4 technology is compatible with standard Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) process technology. This allows for seamless integration with other CMOS circuitry, facilitating easy design and manufacturing.

SSI Programming and FN Tunnel Erasing: The MF4 technology supports Source Side Injection (SSI) programming and Fowler-Nordheim (FN) tunnel erasing. These programming and erasing techniques eliminate the need for negative voltage, simplifying the programming process and reducing system complexity.

Low Power Programming and Small Area Size: The MF4 technology features low-power programming, ensuring efficient energy consumption during the programming operation. Additionally, the ESF flash cell technology allows for a small area size, maximizing the available chip space for other circuitry.

Low Voltage Word-Line Drive and No HV in Read Access Path: The MF4 technology utilizes low voltage word-line drive, enabling efficient and reliable read operations. Moreover, it does not require high voltage in the read access path, contributing to lower power consumption and reduced complexity.

High-Speed Random Read: The MF4-based MCUs offer high-speed random read access to the flash memory, allowing for quick retrieval of data. This is beneficial for applications that require fast access to stored information.

Low Power Read Operation and Small Area Size: The MF4-based MCUs ensure low power consumption during read operations, optimizing energy efficiency. Additionally, the small area size of the flash memory contributes to overall system compactness.

These features make the Renesas-based MCUs a reliable, scalable, and efficient solution for a wide range of applications that require non-volatile memory storage with high reliability, low power consumption, and a small footprint. For detailed specifications and further information, it is recommended to consult Renesas' official documentation or contact our support channels.

The Value of Renesas' 110nm Process Technology

The Renesas 110nm process technology offers significant value-added benefits that make it a compelling choice for semiconductor manufacturers. Let's explore the key value-added advantages of Renesas' 110nm process technology:

  • Power Efficiency: Renesas' 110nm process technology is optimized for power efficiency, striking a balance between performance and energy consumption. The process technology enables low power operation, making it ideal for battery-powered devices and energy-conscious applications. With reduced power consumption, devices built on this process technology can achieve longer battery life, lower heat dissipation, and ultimately reduce overall energy costs.
  • Performance Optimization: The 110nm process technology enhances the performance of microcontrollers and integrated circuits. It enables higher transistor density, allowing for the integration of more complex circuitry and features on a single chip. This results in improved processing speed, faster data transfer rates, and overall better performance for a wide range of applications.
  • Cost-effectiveness: Renesas' 110nm process technology offers cost advantages for semiconductor manufacturers. The smaller node size allows for higher chip yield per wafer, reducing manufacturing costs. Additionally, the process technology enables increased integration, eliminating the need for additional components and reducing system complexity. These cost optimizations make the technology attractive for cost-sensitive applications and help drive down the overall system cost.
  • Longevity Commitment: Renesas is known for its longevity commitment, ensuring that products built on the 110nm process technology remain future-safe for at least the next 15 years. This commitment provides customers with the assurance of long-term availability, support, and compatibility, reducing the risk of obsolescence and enabling product continuity and scalability.
  • Design Flexibility: The 110nm process technology offers design flexibility, allowing semiconductor manufacturers to tailor their products to specific application requirements. It supports a wide voltage range, enabling operation in various power supply conditions. This flexibility accommodates different application needs and simplifies system design.
  • Reliability and Quality: Renesas has a strong reputation for delivering high-quality and reliable products. The 110nm process technology undergoes rigorous testing and quality control measures to ensure consistent performance and reliability. This reliability is crucial for mission-critical applications that require continuous and dependable operation.
  • Advanced IP Building Blocks: Renesas incorporates advanced intellectual property (IP) building blocks in its 110nm process technology, leveraging its extensive experience in microcontroller design. The use of state-of-the-art RL78 and RX CPU cores as well as the Arm® Cortex®-M cores, alongside other market-proven peripherals and communication options, enhances the capabilities and versatility of the microcontrollers built on this technology.

In summary, the Renesas 110nm process technology offers significant value-added benefits such as power efficiency, performance optimization, cost-effectiveness, longevity commitment, design flexibility, reliability, and advanced IP building blocks. These advantages make it an attractive choice for semiconductor manufacturers seeking to develop innovative, efficient, and cost-optimized solutions for a wide range of applications.

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