Renesas' cellular-to-cloud kits now connect to Microsoft Azure cloud services

Renesas Electronics Corporation, a supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, announced that its cellular-to-cloud development kits (powered by Renesas’ 32-bit microcontrollers) fully support Microsoft’s popular Azure cloud services.

The two Cloud Kits — the CK-RA6M5 and CK-RX65N — enable users to readily connect and manage wireless IoT devices via the cloud. With these latest updates, IoT device developers can now take advantage of unique features and services available through Azure, an open and flexible cloud computing platform used by billions of devices worldwide.

“Bringing the Renesas Cloud Kits into the Azure cloud ecosystem is a natural step forward,” said Stefan Wick, product lead IoT Edge and RTOS at Microsoft Azure. “By customizing the Embedded Wireless Framework for Renesas’ MCUs, engineers can reuse application code across different IoT products and leverage a flexible abstraction interface for seamlessly connecting IoT systems to the Azure cloud services. Using the pre-configured development platform, system developers can leverage the power of Azure IoT and create reliable and scalable IoT solutions, while saving time and cost for development.”

Both cloud development kits incorporate Renesas’ LTE CAT-M1 module, which wirelessly connects MCUs to cloud services without a gateway. The kits are equipped with Microsoft’s new Embedded Wireless Framework, providing a simplified link to the Azure cloud platform.

The Embedded Wireless Framework lets any network adapter securely connect to the cloud, providing greater flexibility and better lifecycle management of cloud-based products. Asset tracking, building automation, medical data management, voice command and industrial control are some of the embedded applications that can benefit from the Renesas Cloud Kits.

To ensure reliable functionality and interoperability, both CK-RA6M5 and CK-RX65N kits have been certified by Microsoft Azure. This means that the devices are validated to connect with Azure IoT Hub and can be securely provisioned through the Device Provisioning Service. Additionally, both devices are IoT Plug and Play-certified, enabling developers to integrate the devices into their solutions using pre-defined device models. This eliminates the need to manually configure hardware.

The Renesas Cloud Kits include a high-performance MCU, the RYZ014A Cat-M1 Pmod, six on-board sensors, and extensive peripherals, including a USB FS connector, USB-to-UART serial converter, two PMOD connectors, and a battery connector.

For additional layers of security, Renesas collaborated with its partner, Crypto Quantique to implement a software-based IoT cryptography platform that securely connects IoT devices to server-hosted applications on-premises or in the cloud. Hardware-based security such as the Renesas Secure Crypto Engine 9 (SCE9) and Trusted Secure IP (TSIP) driver has been incorporated on the RA6M5 and RX65N MCUs respectively.

“The opportunities that the Azure cloud platform brings to IoT developers are limitless,” said Roger Wendelken, senior VP and head of MCU Business in Renesas’ IoT and Infrastructure Business Unit. “Our Azure-enabled Cloud Kits provide engineers with a powerful development environment to create, evaluate and deploy cloud-based IoT solutions with confidence. With real-time data analytics and easy integration with other Azure services, developers can focus on building best-in-class IoT applications.”

“We are proud to have been involved in the implementation of enhanced security measures for the Renesas Cloud Kits, as well as providing seamless and speedy connectivity to the Azure cloud,” added Chris Jones, director of Applications at Crypto Quantique. “Our QuarkLink IoT platform provides industry-leading security, giving customers peace of mind knowing that their data and devices are secure.”