Renesas R5F104CEALA#U0

Overview

R5F104CEALA#U0 from Renesas is a 36-pin WFLGA-packaged RL78/G14 16-bit microcontroller with 48 KB flash, 5.5 KB RAM, and 8-channel 10-bit ADC, operating from 1.6–5.5 V at -40°C to +105°C (industrial G-grade), used in battery-powered industrial sensors and low-power HMI control units.

For engineers reviewing the R5F104CEALA#U0 datasheet, R5F104CEALA#U0 pinout, R5F104CEALA#U0 application, or R5F104CEALA#U0 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 36-pin WFLGA (4 × 4 mm) footprint, 48 KB code flash with data flash shield window, ultra-low 66 μA/MHz active current, and integrated RTC with calendar/alarm functions for time-critical embedded control.

Technical Context

The R5F104CEALA#U0 implements the RL78 CPU core with 3-stage pipeline, supporting instruction execution times from 0.03125 µs (@32 MHz) to 30.5 µs (@32.768 kHz), and includes multiply/divide/accumulate instructions within a 1 MB address space. It integrates a Data Transfer Controller (DTC) with chain transfer and an Event Link Controller (ELC) enabling 19–26 peripheral event linkings without CPU intervention.

It features dual clock domains: high-speed on-chip oscillator (selectable from 1–64 MHz, ±1.0% accuracy) and subsystem clock (32.768 kHz), enabling simultaneous operation of RTC, LVD, and low-power modes. The MCU supports background operation (BGO) during data flash rewriting and self-programming with boot swapping.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

36-pin WFLGA (4 × 4 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) with exposed die pad recommended to be connected to VSS. Pin functions support flexible peripheral I/O redirection via PIOR0/PIOR1 registers.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar 16-bit microcontroller applications.

Compared with R5F104BEALA#U0 and R5F104EEALA#U0, the R5F104CEALA#U0 delivers optimal balance of code space (48 KB), data flash (4 KB), and industrial temperature margin - making it ideal for mid-complexity edge nodes where memory headroom and long-term reliability are both critical.

Availability

R5F104CEALA#U0 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor nodes, smart building controllers, and portable medical devices requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and multi-year production cycles.

Supply support for R5F104CEALA#U0 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Renesas Electronics is a global semiconductor leader specializing in microcontrollers, analog, power, and SoC solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT markets.

The RL78/G14 product line delivers true low-power performance (66 μA/MHz) with rich analog integration and robust industrial qualification - designed specifically for cost-sensitive, battery-operated, and thermally demanding embedded control applications.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency and core performance of the R5F104CEALA#U0?

The R5F104CEALA#U0 operates at up to 32 MHz using its high-speed on-chip oscillator, delivering 44 DMIPS. Its RL78 CPU core uses a 3-stage pipeline and supports instruction execution times ranging from 0.03125 µs (at 32 MHz) to 30.5 µs (at 32.768 kHz), enabling adaptive performance scaling for power-constrained applications. This makes the R5F104CEALA#U0 well-suited for real-time control tasks without sacrificing energy efficiency.

Does the R5F104CEALA#U0 support in-system programming and secure firmware updates?

Yes, the R5F104CEALA#U0 supports full in-system programming via SWD interface and includes flash shield window functionality to prohibit unauthorized block erasure or rewriting. It also enables self-programming with boot swapping - allowing safe firmware updates by maintaining a validated backup image. These capabilities ensure secure, field-upgradable operation for the R5F104CEALA#U0 in deployed industrial equipment.

What are the analog capabilities of the R5F104CEALA#U0, and how are they applied in sensor interfaces?

The R5F104CEALA#U0 integrates an 8-channel, 10-bit ADC with internal 1.45 V reference voltage and on-chip temperature sensor - eliminating need for external references in most sensor signal chains. It supports differential input (AVREFP/AVREFM) and programmable sampling timing, enabling accurate acquisition from resistive, capacitive, or thermistor-based sensors. These features directly benefit the R5F104CEALA#U0's use in precision environmental monitoring systems.

How does the R5F104CEALA#U0 achieve ultra-low power consumption in real-world applications?

The R5F104CEALA#U0 achieves 0.60 μA in STOP mode with RTC and LVD active, and 66 μA/MHz in active mode - verified across -40°C to +105°C. Its SNOOZE mode allows peripheral operation (e.g., ADC conversion, UART receive) while CPU sleeps, reducing average current in duty-cycled applications. Combined with configurable clock gating and voltage scaling, this enables multi-year battery life in the R5F104CEALA#U0 for remote sensing deployments.

Is the R5F104CEALA#U0 pin-compatible with other RL78/G14 variants in the same package?

Yes, all RL78/G14 devices in the 36-pin WFLGA package - including R5F104BEALA#U0, R5F104CEALA#U0, and R5F104EEALA#U0 - share identical pinouts and electrical characteristics. Firmware and PCB layouts are interchangeable across these variants, enabling scalable memory selection without hardware redesign. This pin compatibility simplifies version management and inventory optimization for the R5F104CEALA#U0 in production programs.