Check out our embedded world 2023 coverage.
Renesas Electronics presented a live demonstration of AI and machine learning implementations on an MCU based on the Arm Cortex-M85 processor, showing how AI/ML applications can be addressed by the new Cortex-M85 core and Arm’s Helium technology.
One example of a demanding AI use case involved a people detection application developed along with Plumerai that identifies and tracks people in the camera frame in varying lighting and environmental conditions. Another was a motorcontrol predictive maintenance use-case with an AI-based unbalanced load detection application based on TensorFlow Lite for Microcontrollers with CMSIS-NN.
The compact and efficient tinyML models used show low-cost and lower-power AI solutions can serve a wide range of IoT implementations. Delivering over 6 CoreMark/MHz, the Arm Cortex-M85 offers Helium technology, Arm’s M-Profile Vector Extension, as part of the Armv8.1M architecture. The demos showcased the performance advantage in AI use cases, highlighting Cortex-M hallmarks such as deterministic operation, short interrupt response time, and low-power support.
Renesas is implementing the new Arm processor technology in its RA (Renesas Advanced) family of MCUs, along with a robust ecosystem of partners providing customers with comprehensive solutions. The Cortex-M85 core supports Arm TrustZone technology for protection of secure assets.
Combined with TrustZone, Renesas’ integrated cryptographic engine, immutable storage, key management, and tamper protection against DPA/SPA side-channel attacks will provide a comprehensive and integrated secure-element functionality. The Armv8-M architecture also brings Pointer Authentication/Branch Target Identification (PAC/BTI) security extension, delivering enhanced mitigation from software attack threats.
RA MCUs based on the Cortex-M85 core will be supported by Renesas’ Flexible Software Package (FSP), which provides all of the infrastructure software needed, including multiple RTOS, BSP, peripheral drivers, middleware, connectivity, networking, and security stacks as well as reference software. It enables customers to integrate their own legacy code and choice of RTOS with FSP, thus providing full flexibility in application development, easing the migration of existing designs to new RA-based devices.