RA and RX development kits power cellular-to-cloud IoT development
Microcontrollers, sensors, analogue and power devices are combined with Cat-M1 cellular modules by Renesas Electronics to enable end-to-end cloud connectivity.
Renesas has announced two cloud development kits, the CK-RA6M5 and CK-RX65N, for the RA and RX Families of 32bit microcontrollers. The cloud kits are the first to be equipped with Renesas’ RYZ014A Cat-M1 module, a certified LTE cellular module that can establish wireless connection between microcontrollers and cloud services quickly and securely without a gateway.
Armed with these cloud kits, users can rapidly develop IoT cloud products and solutions without having to design their own complex circuitry and software stacks, Renesas explained.
The kits include the RYZ014A Cat-M1 Pmod module, multiple sensors, a high-performance microcontroller, hardware-based security and a reliable software stack.
The cloud kits are ready to connect to global cloud service providers such as AWS Cloud and IoT services. Both kits are designed to run on AWS (Amazon Web Services) FreeRTOS for CK-RA6M5 using FSP (Flexible Software Package) and CK-RX65N using RDP (RX Driver Package). Once connected to AWS IoT Core, the kits have access to many cloud and IoT services from AWS for data analytics and IoT device management.
“With Renesas’ first cellular Cat-M1 module, we are adding ubiquitous cellular connectivity to our cloud solution offerings, providing our customers more flexible and reliable cloud connectivity options,” said Roger Wendelken, senior vice president in Renesas’ IoT and Infrastructure business unit. Engineers can focus on designing IoT systems that can be adopted in a variety of applications such as building and home automation, smart metering, healthcare and industrial applications, Wendelken added.
“Mobile cloud computing is leading a new era for data storage and processing, especially now that cellular IoT devices have become so pervasive,” said Georges Karam, CEO of Sequans Communications. “Packed with on-board sensors and the Cat-M1 module powered by Sequans’ Monarch technology, Renesas’ cloud kits will be ideal platforms for evaluating and deploying mobile cloud applications for wireless IoT systems.”
The CK-RA6M5 and CK-RX65N both have identical hardware and software features and a common dashboard user interface to access real-time cloud data.
In addition to the Cat-M1 RYZ014A wireless module, the kits also provide an option to use Ethernet to securely connect to cloud when the Cat-M1 network is not available. Renesas plans to offer more wireless connectivity options in the future.
The CK-RA6M5 and CK-RX65N kits are available from Renesas worldwide distributors.
