Renesas R7FA2A1AB2CBT#AC0

Overview

R7FA2A1AB2CBT from Renesas is an Arm Cortex-M23-based 32-bit microcontroller designed for cost-sensitive, low-power industrial and HMI applications. It operates at up to 48 MHz, integrates 256 KB code flash, 32 KB SRAM, dual ADCs (16-bit and 24-bit sigma-delta), DACs (12-bit + dual 8-bit), three operational amplifiers, capacitive touch sensing (CTSU), USB 2.0 Full-Speed with battery charging support, CAN 2.0B, and hardware security (AES-128/256, TRNG). It targets smart sensors, industrial control panels, and battery-powered HMI devices.

For engineers reviewing the R7FA2A1AB2CBT datasheet, R7FA2A1AB2CBT pinout, R7FA2A1AB2CBT application, or R7FA2A1AB2CBT equivalent, key selection considerations include its 36-pin BGA package (5 mm × 5 mm), -40°C to +85°C operating range, integrated analog front-end with differential SDADC24 and configurable OPAMPs, dual watchdog timers (WDT/IWDT), and ELC/DTC for low-CPU-overhead peripheral coordination.

Technical Context

The R7FA2A1AB2CBT implements the Armv8-M architecture with TrustZone-enabled Cortex-M23 core, supporting secure firmware partitioning via its 8-region MPU and ECC-protected SRAM. Its system-level timing relies on multiple clock sources including HOCO (up to 48 MHz), SOSC (32.768 kHz), and clock accuracy monitoring via CAC.

Analog subsystem integration includes ADC16 (1.2 Msps, 17-channel single-ended/4-differential), SDADC24 (15.6 ksps, 10-channel, PGA-equipped), and three independent OPAMPs with switchable inputs-enabling sensor signal conditioning without external components. The CTSU supports up to 9 touch channels, while USBFS includes on-chip transceiver and LDO for direct 5 V bus power handling.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 36-pin BGA (PLBG0036GA-A), 5 mm × 5 mm, 0.8 mm pitch, -40°C to +85°C operating range.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with R7FA2A1AB2CBT, R7FA2A1AB3CFJ offers higher temperature rating and LQFP ease-of-handling but sacrifices USB and analog channel count; R7FA2E1A92CBT shares the BGA form factor and temp range but reduces memory and removes CAN/USB-making it a streamlined alternative for non-networked edge nodes.

Availability

R7FA2A1AB2CBT is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor nodes, smart thermostat panels, PLC I/O modules, and battery-powered data loggers requiring stable component supply across extended lifecycle programs.

Supply support for R7FA2A1AB2CBT 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, and power solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT markets.

The RA2A1 Group, which includes R7FA2A1AB2CBT, was designed to deliver scalable, secure, and analog-rich Arm Cortex-M23 MCUs for cost-sensitive, low-power human-machine interface and industrial sensing applications.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency and core architecture of the R7FA2A1AB2CBT?

The R7FA2A1AB2CBT features an Arm Cortex-M23 core operating at up to 48 MHz and implements the Armv8-M architecture with TrustZone security extensions. It includes an 8-region Memory Protection Unit (MPU) and supports single-cycle integer multiply and 17-cycle integer divide operations. This architecture enables secure, deterministic real-time performance suitable for industrial control and HMI applications where both safety and responsiveness are critical. The R7FA2A1AB2CBT leverages this core to deliver efficient execution of firmware with minimal power consumption.

Does the R7FA2A1AB2CBT support USB device functionality, and what USB specifications does it comply with?

Yes, the R7FA2A1AB2CBT integrates a USB 2.0 Full-Speed (USBFS) module that operates exclusively in device mode. It complies with USB Specification 2.0 for full-speed (12 Mbps) and low-speed (1.5 Mbps) transfers and supports all four transfer types (control, interrupt, bulk, isochronous). Crucially, it implements USB Battery Charging Specification 1.2, enabling automatic detection of charging ports and regulation of internal 3.3 V USB transceiver power via its integrated LDO. The R7FA2A1AB2CBT requires no external USB PHY, reducing BOM cost and board area.

What analog peripherals are integrated into the R7FA2A1AB2CBT, and how do they support sensor interfacing?

The R7FA2A1AB2CBT integrates a comprehensive analog front end: a 16-bit ADC16 (1.2 Msps, 17-channel), a 24-bit sigma-delta SDADC24 (15.6 ksps, 10-channel with PGA), a 12-bit DAC12, two 8-bit DAC8s, three operational amplifiers (OPAMP), two low-power analog comparators (ACMPLP), and a high-speed comparator (ACMPHS). These allow direct conditioning, digitization, and generation of analog signals-eliminating external signal-chain components. For example, OPAMP outputs can feed SDADC24 inputs, and ACMPLP can trigger wake-up from deep sleep. This capability makes the R7FA2A1AB2CBT ideal for precision sensor nodes where size, power, and component count are constrained.

What is the package type and pin count of the R7FA2A1AB2CBT, and what are its thermal specifications?

The R7FA2A1AB2CBT uses a 36-pin BGA package (PLBG0036GA-A) with 5 mm × 5 mm body size and 0.8 mm pitch. It is rated for operation from -40°C to +85°C ambient temperature. This compact, fine-pitch package supports high-density PCB layouts typical in space-constrained HMI and portable industrial devices. Unlike larger RA2A1 variants (e.g., 64-pin LQFP), the R7FA2A1AB2CBT trades I/O count (19 GPIOs) and peripheral channel count (e.g., fewer ADC inputs, no USB on some variants) for minimal footprint-while retaining core features like CAN, CTSU, and dual ADCs. The R7FA2A1AB2CBT's thermal design requires standard BGA reflow profile adherence and proper thermal via placement under the exposed pad.

How does the R7FA2A1AB2CBT implement security and functional safety features?

The R7FA2A1AB2CBT incorporates multiple hardware-assisted security and safety mechanisms: AES-128/256 encryption engine and True Random Number Generator (TRNG) for cryptographic operations; SRAM with Error Correction Code (ECC) and parity error checking; flash memory area protection; Clock Frequency Accuracy Measurement Circuit (CAC) for oscillator monitoring; Independent Watchdog Timer (IWDT) with dedicated clock source; and register write protection. These features collectively support IEC 61508 SIL-2 and ISO 13849 PL d compliance in safety-related subsystems. The R7FA2A1AB2CBT's MPU and TrustZone-enforced memory isolation further enable secure firmware partitioning-critical for OTA update integrity and secure boot enforcement.