Renesas Unveils 64-bit RZ/G3E MPU for AI-Accelerated HMI Systems
Multiple Arm Cortex CPUs and an Arm neural processing unit bring advanced edge computing and AI acceleration to human-machine interface applications.
Renesas has expanded its RZ/G series of microprocessors with the new RZ/G3E, a 64-bit MPU designed to meet the growing demands of high-performance Human-Machine Interface (HMI) applications that require edge computing and AI acceleration. As a general-purpose MPU, it is targeted for a wide range of applications, including industrial automation, medical devices, and retail terminals.
New MPUs feature Arm cores and a neural processing unit for HMI applications. Image used courtesy of Renesas
The MPU’s architecture is optimized for AI-driven tasks such as image classification, object recognition, and voice recognition, while minimizing the load on the main CPU.
Robust Feature Set Surrounds High-Performance Processors
The RZ/G3E is built around a quad-core Arm Cortex-A55 CPU running at up to 1.8 GHz, complemented by a Cortex-M33 core for real-time processing tasks. For AI inference, the MPU integrates an Arm Ethos-U55 Neural Processing Unit (NPU), which is designed to handle AI-related workloads such as image classification, object recognition, and voice recognition, thereby freeing up the main CPU for other tasks.
Quad Cortex-A55 CPUs are at the heart of the new RZ/G3E. Image used courtesy of Renesas
It also features advanced graphics capabilities, supporting Full HD video at 60fps on two independent displays, and a variety of high-speed interfaces, including PCIe 3.0, USB 3.2 Gen2, and Gigabit Ethernet, to ensure seamless connectivity with cloud services and 5G modules. With its focus on performance, power efficiency, and a comprehensive software support package, the RZ/G3E provides a scalable and robust platform for developing next-generation HMI systems with advanced AI capabilities at the edge.
In terms of connectivity, the RZ/G3E is equipped with a range of high-speed interfaces essential for modern edge devices. These include two lanes of PCI Express 3.0, USB 3.2 Gen2 for data transfer up to 10 Gbps, and dual-channel Gigabit Ethernet for connectivity to cloud services and 5G modules.
Power management is another area of focus for the RZ/G3E. The MPU features advanced power management capabilities to reduce standby power consumption. It supports a DDR self-refresh mode to retain data in memory, allowing for a quick wake-up from a deep standby mode for running Linux applications. Renesas claims a standby power consumption of around 50mW and as low as 1mW in deep standby mode.
Tools Designed to Accelerate Time-to-Market
For software development, Renesas provides a comprehensive support package, including a Verified Linux Package (VLP) based on the Civil Infrastructure Platform, which comes with over 10 years of maintenance support. For developers who need the latest versions, Renesas offers Linux BSP Plus, which includes support for the latest LTS Linux kernel and Yocto. Additionally, Ubuntu and Debian open-source operating systems are also available.
To help accelerate development, Renesas and its partners are offering System-on-Module (SoM) solutions featuring the RZ/G3E. These include a SMARC module from Tria, and OSM modules from ARIES Embedded and MXT. Renesas has also developed “Winning Combinations,” which are technically vetted system architectures that combine the RZ/G3E with other compatible Renesas devices to create optimized, low-risk designs for a faster time to market. Examples include a Full HD Dual-Display HMI Platform and a Digital Otoscope solution.
