Renesas launches IoT Cloud Kit with AWS integration

Semiconductor solutions provider Renesas has created a new cloud kit for IoT endpoint devices that connect directly to Amazon Web Services.

The Renesas RX65N Cloud Kit features onboard WiFi, environmental sensors, light sensors and inertial sensors, as well as support for Amazon FreeRTOS connected to Amazon Web Services (AWS).

The RX65N Cloud Kit provides an evaluation and prototyping environment, enabling embedded designers to create secure end-to-end Internet of Things (IoT) cloud solutions for sensor-based endpoint equipment.

Users can employ Renesas' browser-based software so that they may visualize their sensor data using a smart device cloud dashboard to monitor a wide range of applications including networked smart meters, building, office, and industrial automation systems, as well as home appliances.

Renesas says the kit gives embedded designers a fast start and secure connection to AWS. Through Renesas' e2 studio Integrated Development Environment (IDE), IoT applications are easily created by configuring Amazon FreeRTOS, all the necessary drivers, and the network stack and component libraries.

"Compared to the RX65N Wi-Fi Cloud Connectivity Kit launched in 2017, this enhanced low-cost kit combines a qualified RX65N MCU with Amazon FreeRTOS connected to AWS with additional hardware, software, and handy-tools," says Renesas IoT platform business division vice president of marketing, Daryl Khoo.

"Customers can use the kit to build prototypes and then reuse the hardware and sample software as reference building blocks to accelerate their development schedules and add more value.

Renesas' 32-bit RX65N MCUs offer dual bank flash for secure and easy program updating via the network, as well as remote over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates.

The integrated dual bank flash enables both BGO (Back Ground Operation) and SWAP functions, making it easier for system and network control manufacturers to securely and reliably execute in-the-field firmware updates. The MCUs also include Trusted Secure IP (TSIP) as part of their built-in hardware security engine.

The TSIP driver uses strong encryption key management with hardware accelerators -- AES, 3DES, SHA, RSA, and TRNG -- as well as a protected boot code flash area to securely boot customers' IoT devices.

The RX65N Cloud Kit is available now from Renesas Electronics' worldwide distributors with a recommended resale price of $50.00 USD.

RX65N Cloud Kit features:

• RX65N R5F565NEDDFP 32-bit, 120 MHz MCU Target Board with 2 MB code flash memory and 640 KB SRAM
• Pmod Module with Silex SX-ULPGN Wi-Fi communications
• Cloud Option Board with two USB ports for serial communications and debugging, and three sensors for sampling and sending measurement data to the cloud:
  • Renesas ISL29035 digital light sensor for ambient/infrared light measurement
  • Bosch BMI160 MEMS sensor for 3-axis acceleration and gyroscopic measurement
  • Bosch BME680 MEMS sensor for gas, temperature, humidity, and pressure measurements
• Renesas e2 studio IDE allows designers to develop IoT applications with powerful features:
  • Create the latest Amazon FreeRTOS project from GitHub directory and immediately build it
  • Set up Amazon FreeRTOS network stack (TCP/IP, Wi-Fi, MQTT) and component libraries, like Device Shadow, without requiring detailed knowledge
  • Embed additional functions (based on Amazon FreeRTOS) such as USB and file-system on the IoT endpoint device