Renesas R5F21368CNFA#U0

Overview

R5F21368CNFA#U0 from Renesas Electronics is a 16-bit R8C CPU core microcontroller with 64 KB program ROM, 6 KB RAM, and 4 KB data flash (1 KB × 4 blocks) supporting background operation (BGO). It operates at up to 20 MHz (VCC = 2.7–5.5 V), features integrated 10-bit ADC (12 channels), dual 8-bit DACs, LIN hardware module, and six timer units including complementary PWM-capable Timer RD for motor control. It targets embedded control in consumer audio equipment.

For engineers reviewing the R5F21368CNFA#U0 datasheet, R5F21368CNFA#U0 pinout, R5F21368CNFA#U0 application, or R5F21368CNFA#U0 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 64-pin LQFP (PLQP0064GA-A) package, −20°C to +85°C industrial temperature grade, on-chip debug support, and BGO-enabled data flash for firmware updates without halting execution.

Technical Context

The R5F21368CNFA#U0 implements the R8C CPU core with 89 fundamental instructions, 16×16→32-bit multiplier, and multiply-accumulate capability. Its memory map spans 1 Mbyte, with fixed interrupt vector table at 0FFDCh–0FFFFh and data flash at 03000h–03FFFh.

It integrates four clock sources - XIN/XOUT (up to 20 MHz), XCIN/XCOUT (32 kHz), high-speed on-chip oscillator (frequency-adjustable), and low-speed on-chip oscillator - with selectable dividers (1/2/4/8/16) and oscillation stop detection. Power modes include standard, wait (4.0 µA @ 3.0 V, 32 kHz), and stop (2.0 µA @ 3.0 V).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 64-pin LQFP (PLQP0064GA-A), 0.5 mm pitch, exposed pad not specified, RoHS-compliant.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with R5F21368CNFA#U0, the CNFP variant offers identical electrical performance in a mechanically distinct LQFP variant, while the CDFA variant adds extended temperature resilience at no functional trade-off - both require review of mechanical fit and qualification requirements before substitution.

Availability

R5F21368CNFA#U0 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for audio equipment, home appliance motor control, and office equipment power management requiring stable component supply across long-life production cycles.

Supply support for R5F21368CNFA#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 Corporation is a global semiconductor leader specializing in microcontrollers, analog, power, and SoC solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT markets.

The R8C/36C Group is designed for cost-sensitive, low-power embedded control in consumer electronics - emphasizing integration of analog peripherals (ADC/DAC), motor timing (complementary PWM), and communication (LIN/I²C) without external support chips.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the R5F21368CNFA#U0 and under what supply conditions?

The R5F21368CNFA#U0 achieves a maximum operating frequency of 20 MHz when supplied at VCC = 2.7–5.5 V. At reduced supply voltages (1.8–5.5 V), the maximum frequency drops to 5 MHz per Renesas datasheet R01DS0018EJ0110. This dual-frequency capability allows flexible power/performance scaling in battery-powered or wide-input-range designs using the R5F21368CNFA#U0.

Does the R5F21368CNFA#U0 support in-system programming of its data flash memory?

Yes, the R5F21368CNFA#U0 supports background operation (BGO) for data flash, enabling erase and write operations while the CPU executes user code from program ROM. This feature is confirmed in Section 1.1 and Table 1.2 of the official datasheet and allows firmware updates, calibration storage, or parameter logging without halting real-time functions - a core capability of the R5F21368CNFA#U0.

What peripheral modules are used by the hardware LIN interface on the R5F21368CNFA#U0?

The hardware LIN interface on the R5F21368CNFA#U0 is implemented using Timer RA for baud rate generation and UART0 for serial framing and protocol handling, as explicitly stated in Table 1.2 and Figure 1.2 of the datasheet. No additional GPIO or external transceiver logic is required for basic LIN 2.0 communication - this dedicated resource pairing is intrinsic to the R5F21368CNFA#U0's architecture.

How many independent PWM output channels does the R5F21368CNFA#U0 provide, and which timers support them?

The R5F21368CNFA#U0 provides up to six independent PWM output pins via Timer RD (TRDIOA0/B0/C0/D0 and TRDIOA1/B1/C1/D1), plus two additional PWM outputs from Timer RB and three from Timer RC. Timer RD uniquely supports complementary PWM with dead-time insertion and three-phase waveform generation - a capability directly leveraged in motor control applications using the R5F21368CNFA#U0.

Is the R5F21368CNFA#U0 pin-compatible with other members of the R8C/36C Group, such as the R5F21367CNFA#U0?

Yes, all R8C/36C Group MCUs with the same package code - including R5F21368CNFA#U0 and R5F21367CNFA#U0 (both PLQP0064GA-A) - share identical pin assignments, I/O functions, and electrical characteristics per Tables 1.5–1.8 and Figure 1.3 of the datasheet. Memory size differences (48 KB vs. 64 KB ROM) do not affect pinout or peripheral mapping, making the R5F21368CNFA#U0 a direct drop-in upgrade path within the same footprint.