Renesas Electronics Corporation announced the RH850/U2C, a 32-bit automotive microcontroller fabricated on a 28nm process, on March 4, 2026. The device joins the RH850 family, which has shipped more than 4 billion units since 2013, as a low-end addition that complements the high-end RH850/U2B and mid-range RH850/U2A.
The RH850/U2C integrates four RH850 CPU cores running at up to 320 MHz, including two lockstep cores, along with up to 8 MB of on-chip flash memory. It targets chassis and safety systems in passenger cars and motorcycles, battery management systems, body control functions including lighting and motor control, and other general-purpose ASIL D applications.
The MCU supports interfaces for current and emerging vehicle architectures, including Ethernet 10base-T1S, Ethernet TSN (1 Gbps/100 Mbps), CAN-XL, and I3C, while remaining compatible with CAN-FD, LIN, UART, CXPI, I²C, I²S, and PSI5. This allows mixed operation with legacy ECUs and supports phased migration to domain- and zone-based networks, offering flexible configuration and reduced design complexity.
Functional safety compliance reaches ASIL D per ISO 26262. Cybersecurity features align with ISO/SAE 21434 and include support for cryptographic algorithms from post-quantum cryptography to those required by Chinese and other international regulations, with dedicated hardware accelerators to handle processing and reduce CPU load.
The 28nm process enables lower power consumption in active and standby modes, with a dedicated standby mode for deep stop and intermittent operation, which decreases ECU power requirements and thermal loads amid tightening environmental regulations.
Satoshi Yoshida, Vice President of the High-Performance Computing MCU Division at Renesas, stated that the RH850/U2C integrates performance, features, and standards compliance for next-generation ECUs. Christoph Wenger, Chief Expert Semiconductor at Vehicle Motion at Bosch, commented on the MCU's performance and quality, noting ongoing collaboration.
Development tools include compilers, IDEs, automotive-qualified software packages compliant with ISO 26262 up to ASIL D from Renesas and partners, plus a dedicated RH850/U2C Starter Kit. Renesas will demonstrate the device at embedded world 2026 in Nuremberg, Germany, March 10-12, at booth 1-234 (Hall 1, Stand 234).
The RH850/U2C is available immediately. Product details are at https://www.renesas.com/products/rh850-u2c.
