Security for Edge and Gateway Devices with Low Power Consumption IoT Microprocessor

Published  January 16, 2024   0
S Staff
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RZ/G3S General-Purpose Microprocessor

Renesas Electronics Corporation has unveiled the RZ/G3S, a 64-bit general-purpose microprocessor designed for IoT edge and gateway devices, characterized by notably low power consumption, with standby mode operating at as little as 10µW. Forming part of the RZ/G Series, this microprocessor ensures fast Linux startup and features a PCI Express interface for high-speed connectivity with 5G wireless modules. It integrates advanced security functionalities, including tamper detection, making it suitable for various IoT applications such as home gateways, smart meters, and tracking devices. 

The RZ/G3S employs an Arm Cortex-A55 core as the main CPU with a maximum operating frequency of 1.1 GHz, alongside two Cortex-M33 sub-CPUs operating at 250 MHz. This architecture enables efficient distribution of workloads, allowing the device to handle tasks like data reception from sensors and power system management effectively. This power management system is designed to drastically reduce power consumption, supporting a DDR self-refresh function for quick Linux startup. Additionally, it offers a standby mode maintaining sub-CPU operation at power levels as low as 40mW, providing flexibility to optimize power consumption according to specific application requirements.

Connectivity features include a PCI Express interface for high-speed communication with Gigahertz-level performance and a variety of peripheral functions such as Gigabit Ethernet, CAN, and USB. The RZ/G3S also focuses on reliability and security, incorporating an ECC function for data integrity, a Verified Linux Package (VLP) based on industrial-grade Linux for long-term maintenance support, and tamper detection, secure boot, secure debug, and Level 2 PSA Certification for robust security assurance.

Development tools for the RZ/G3S include support from the IAR Embedded Workbench for Arm, facilitating the rapid development of high-performance, secure IoT devices. Combining the RZ/G3S with optimized power management ICs and clock products to develop the Single Board Computer Gateway. This setup's rich interface options enable connectivity with various sensors, making it an ideal solution for home automation or broader IoT applications.

Availability

The RZ/G3S is currently available, offering a comprehensive solution for efficient and secure IoT device development.