Renesas RA2 Series - User Manual

Rev. 1.00 Jul 2021
Renesas RA Family
RA2 Series
User’ s Manual
www.renesas.com
All information contained in these materials, including products and product specifications, represents
information on the product at the time of publication and is subject to change by Renesas Electronics
Corp. without notice. Please review the latest information published by Renesas Electronics Corp.
through various means, including the Renesas Electronics Corp. website (http://www.renesas.com).
RA2E1 Group
Fast Prototyping Board for RA2E1
Microcontroller
Group
FPB-RA2E1 v
1
User’s Manual
User’ s Manual

Summary

General Precautions in Handling Microcontroller Units

Precaution against Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)

Steps to prevent static electricity damage to CMOS devices, ensuring proper grounding and handling.

Processing at Power-On

States of product and pins are undefined when power is supplied until reset is complete.

Input of Signal During Power-Off State

Avoid inputting signals to a powered-off device to prevent malfunction or degradation.

Handling of Unused Pins

Proper handling of unused pins to prevent noise induction and false signal recognition.

Clock Signal Stability

Ensure clock signals are stable before releasing reset or switching during execution.

Input Voltage Waveform Precautions

Prevent waveform distortion and chattering noise at input pins to avoid malfunction.

Prohibition of Access to Reserved Addresses

Access to reserved addresses is prohibited as their function is not guaranteed and may cause issues.

Differences Between Product Variants

Confirm compatibility when changing to different part numbers within the same product group.

Renesas FPB-RA2 E1 Disclaimer

Usage Environment and Interference Precautions

Guidelines for using the board in a lab environment and managing radio frequency interference.

Board Overview

Assumptions and Advisory Notes

User's assumed knowledge of microcontrollers and recommended reading for board familiarization.

Hardware Architecture and Default Configuration

Board Architecture Overview

Describes the board's design, components like MCU, headers, and connectors.

System Block Diagram

Visual representation of the FPB-RA2E1 board's system architecture and interconnections.

Jumper Settings Overview

Introduces the types of jumpers (copper, pin header) used for board configuration.

Copper Jumper Types

Details on trace-cut and solder-bridge copper jumpers used for board configuration.

Traditional Pin Header Jumpers

Description of standard 0.1" pitch pin header jumpers for manual configuration.

Default Jumper Configuration Table

Table outlining default settings for all jumpers on the FPB-RA2E1 board.

System Control and Ecosystem Access

Power Supply Management

Explains power supply options, considerations, and power-up behavior indicators.

Debug and Trace Capabilities

Details on the on-board E2 emulator and external debugger interfaces.

Debugger Settings in e2 studio

Configuration steps for debugging the FPB-RA2E1 in Renesas' e2 studio IDE.

Ecosystem Connectivity Options

Digilent Pmod Connectors

Description of the Pmod connectors for attaching expansion modules.

Pmod 1 Connector Details

Detailed pinout and configuration for the Pmod 1 connector.

Pmod 2 Connector Details

Detailed pinout and configuration for the Pmod 2 connector.

Arduino Uno Connector Interface

Details on the Arduino Uno R3 compatible connector for shields and expansion.

Miscellaneous Board Features

User and Power LED Functions

Describes the function and control ports of the user and power LEDs on the board.

User and Reset Switch Operations

Details on the user switch (S1) and reset switch (S2) functions and their MCU connections.

MCU Boot Mode Selection

How to select boot mode using the J7 header, including SCI boot mode.

MCU Clock Sources

Information on oscillator crystals providing precision reference clocks to the MCU.

MCU Native Pin Access

Breakout Pin Headers J3 and J4

Description of breakout pin headers for MCU I/O and power access.

MCU Current Measurement Circuit

How to measure MCU current using test points TP1, TP2 and resistor R3.

Certifications and Standards

EMC;EMI Compliance Standards

Compliance with FCC and ICES regulations for electromagnetic compatibility.

Material and Disposal Standards

Compliance with RoHS and China SJ/T standards for materials and disposal.

Safety Standards Compliance

Compliance with UL 94V-0 safety standard for flammability.

Design and Manufacturing Resources

Design Package Contents List

Lists the files included in the design package, such as schematics, drawings, and BoM.

Website and Support Information

FPB-RA2 E1 and RA Family Resources

URLs for obtaining FPB-RA2E1 resources, product information, and support.

Document Revision History

Initial Release Details

Information on the initial release (Rev. 1.00) and publication date of the user's manual.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Maintenance Features

The Renesas FPB-RA2E1 is a Fast Prototyping Board designed for the RA2E1 MCU Group, enabling users to evaluate the features of the RA2E1 microcontroller group and develop embedded systems applications. It integrates with the Flexible Software Package (FSP) and the e² studio Integrated Development Environment (IDE), providing a comprehensive platform for embedded system development.

Function Description

The FPB-RA2E1 board serves as a development platform for the Renesas RA2E1 MCU, which features an Arm® Cortex®-M23 core. It provides access to all MCU I/O and power pins through breakout headers, facilitating custom circuit prototyping and testing. The board includes an on-board programmer/debugger (E2 Emulator On-Board) that supports the Serial Wire Debug (SWD) interface, allowing for seamless re-programming and debugging of the target RA MCU firmware. For external debugging, a 10-pin Cortex® Debug Connector (CN4) is available, supporting JTAG, SWD, and Embedded Trace Module (ETM).

The board's architecture is designed to be similar to other boards in the FPB series, incorporating essential components like a power supply regulator, user interface elements (LEDs and switches), and popular ecosystem I/O connectors. It supports multiple clock sources, including internal low-precision clocks and the option to fit external 20.000 MHz and 32,768 Hz crystals for precision reference clocks.

Usage Features

The FPB-RA2E1 offers several features to enhance usability and flexibility:

• Power Supply Options: The board can be powered via the USB debug connector (CN6) or an external 5V power supply connected to a 2-pin header (CN5). An on-board Low Dropout (LDO) regulator converts the 5V input to a 3.3V supply for the RA MCU and other peripherals. Reverse polarity protection is included for both power input options.
• User Interface: The board includes two green user LEDs (LED1 and LED2) and a user switch (S1), which can be used for application feedback and input. A power LED (POWER) indicates the availability of regulated power, and a debug LED (LED3) provides visual status of the debug interface, indicating connection and data transfer.
• Reset and Boot Mode: A dedicated reset switch (S2) allows for restarting the RA MCU. A two-pin header (J7) enables configuration of the MCU's boot mode, allowing selection between Single-chip mode (default, J7 open) and SCI boot mode (jumper on J7).
• Ecosystem Expansion: The board supports popular add-on modules through two Digilent Pmod™ connectors (PMOD1 and PMOD2) and an Arduino™ (Uno R3) compatible connector. The Pmod connectors support SPI and UART interfaces, with PMOD1 also configurable for I²C connections. Both Pmod interfaces support +3.3V devices. The Arduino Uno connectors provide access to various digital and analog pins, enabling integration with a wide range of Arduino shields and modules.
• Native Pin Access: All RA MCU interface signals and power ports are accessible via two 32-pin male breakout headers (J3 and J4). These headers are designed with a standard 2.54 mm (0.100") pitch, allowing for direct placement on a breadboard for prototyping and custom circuitry.
• Jumper Settings: The board utilizes both copper jumpers (trace-cut and solder-bridge types) and traditional pin header jumpers to configure various functionalities, such as debugger enablement, debug mode, and power source options for Pmod connectors. Default jumper configurations are provided for ease of use.

Maintenance Features

The FPB-RA2E1 incorporates features that aid in maintenance and testing:

• Current Measurement: A dedicated resistor (R3) and test points (TP1 and TP2) are provided near the RA MCU for measuring the MCU core current. By removing R3 and connecting an ammeter between TP1 and TP2, users can precisely measure current consumption. Alternatively, R3 can be replaced with a low-value resistor (e.g., 100 mΩ), and a voltmeter can be used to measure the voltage across TP1 and TP2 to calculate current using Ohm's Law.
• LED Isolation: The user LEDs (LED1 and LED2) can be isolated from the main MCU by cutting specific trace jumpers (E8 for LED1, E7 for LED2). This allows the associated MCU ports to be used for other purposes without interference from the LEDs.
• Modifiable Power Paths: The design allows for modifications to the power supply circuit, such as operating the MCU at a lower voltage than 3.3V by removing the current measurement resistor and powering the MCU via TP1. However, caution is advised, and users should review the schematic carefully before making such changes to avoid permanent damage.
• Documentation and Support: Renesas provides comprehensive documentation, including a Quick Start Guide, a tutorial manual for software installation and project development, and a Design Package containing schematics, mechanical drawings, 3D drawings, and a Bill of Materials. Online resources, product information, and support forums are also available to assist users.

Renesas RA2 Series Specifications