RX IoT Cloud Over-the-Air (OTA) Solution

Image

Overview

The RX family offers an evaluation kit with a convenient development environment (e² studio) which is ideal for IoT device development. The evaluation kit supports real-time OSs (FreeRTOS, Azure RTOS^[Note]) and various libraries (SSL/TLS, OTA, MQTT, TCP/IP, etc.) for IoT devices provided by major cloud vendors such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft. AWS and Microsoft device certifications give you the confidence to start development immediately. We support your IoT development with various application notes, such as the visualization of data uploaded to the cloud, remote control of devices and OTA firmware updates, etc.

[Note] 
Microsoft has announced the open sourcing of Azure RTOS.
Azure RTOS will now be provided by the Eclipse Foundation as Eclipse ThreadX. Please check the Microsoft website for details.

Image

Image

Connect to leading cloud services

Amazon AWS

• MQTT communications test program
• Cellular communication intermittent operation example APN
• Fleet Provisioning

Microsoft Azure

• MQTT communications test program
• IoT Plug and Play compliant program

Connectivity

• Wi-Fi (DA16600)
• Cellular (RYZ014A)
• Porting Guide for RYZ014A

Image

Data visualization in the cloud

CK-RX65N

• Sample for v1 board (Cellular/Ethernet)
  AWS + Renesas Dashboard
• Sample for v2 board (Wi-Fi) 
  AWS + Renesas Dashboard

RX72N EnvisionKit (Wi-Fi)

• FreeRTOS×Quick-Connect IoT

Image

Remote firmware (FW) update via OTA

• FW update design policy
• FW update module
• QE for OTA (development support tool)

FreeRTOS OTA

• How to implement AWS FreeRTOS OTA
• OTA FW update of secondary devices

Azure RTOS OTA (ADU)

• How to build a Microsoft Azure ADU environment
• Official Azure GitHub ADU-enabled software
• OTA FW update of secondary devices

Image

Image

Choose the board you want to use.
The latest evaluation kit, CK-RX65N, supports the following communication controls and examples.
For supported RTOS versions, please check GitHub ( AWS / Azure ).
For other boards, see "Evaluation Boards".

Board Appearance	Board Name	Communication Control	Dashboard	MQTT	OTA	QE for OTA (*1)	Fleet Provisioning (*2)
Image	CK-RX65N v1(*3)	LTE Cat-M1 (*4)	AWS	AWS Azure	AWS Azure	AWS Azure	AWS
		Ethernet	AWS	AWS Azure	AWS Azure	AWS Azure	AWS
	CK-RX65N v2(*3)	Wi-Fi	AWS	AWS	AWS	-	AWS
		Ethernet	-	-	-	-	-

*1: A free development support tool that allows you to easily try OTA. The e² studio GUI supports various settings required for OTA and OTA execution.
*2: One of the provisioning methods provided by AWS. Automate the provisioning of multiple devices, which is a challenge during mass production.
*3: Specification differences between CK-RX65N v1 and v2 are listed on the GitHub Wiki page.
*4: Use of cellular modules other than RYZ014A is described in the Porting Guide.

Image

Install the integrated development environment and compiler

Image

Get various sample projects downloadable from e² studio or Renesas Web. For development with Free RTOS or Azure RTOS, we recommend using e² studio's new project generation feature. 
To learn how to create a new RTOS project using e² studio, please check the tutorial video on YouTube.
< The YouTube playlist is here: ( Free RTOS / Azure RTOS ) >

Image

Connect To The Cloud.

Image

Development Environment

Recommended Microcontrollers

We have selected the best products for cloud connectivity from our extensive line of RX microcontrollers.
As a basis for this selection, Renesas has ported the RTOS and as a result, believes that the memory resources required are at least 96KB RAM and at least 512KB ROM (or at least 1.5MB for OTA feature implementation).
Taking into account the communications, security and OTA capabilities required for cloud connectivity, we have selected the following products:

Evaluation Board

You can easily try cloud communication using a board equipped with Renesas devices. You can choose based on the microcontroller, the communication method, and the peripheral functions. You can also download a variety of predefined programs for each board free of charge.
The kit is ideal for:

1. Evaluation of Renesas devices (MCUs, analog devices, sensors)
2. As a reference for customers when designing boards and programs
3. As a learning application for those who are newly starting cloud communications

			CK-RX65N v1	CK-RX65N v2	Renesas Starter Kit+ for RX65N-2MB
			Image	Image	Image
概要			The best evaluation kit for IoT development. Cellular module (RYZ014A) included, equipped with 6 types of sensors. With the included SIM card and an AWS trial account worth 10 USD, you can start IoT device development immediately.	The best evaluation kit for IoT development. Comes with a Wi-Fi module (DA16600) and is equipped with 6 types of sensors. With an AWS trial account worth 10 USD, you can start IoT device development immediately. *: Specification differences between CK-RX65N v1 and v2 are listed on the GitHub Wiki page.	General-purpose evaluation kit for the RX65N microcontroller. Can evaluate cloud communication by Ether communication. Can be used for the evaluation of functions other than cloud communication.
通信	Ethernet		Supported	Supported	Supported
	Cellular(CAT-M1)		Supported	-	-
	Wi-Fi		-	Supported	-
Sample Programs	AWS	Getting Start	Application Note	Application Note	Getting Start Guide(AWS)
		MQTT	Can be generated in the e² studio	under dev.	Can be generated in the e² studio
		OTA	Application Note	under dev.	Application Note
		Extended Programs	Sensor Data Visualization   Low Power Operation	Sensor Data Visualization	OTA FW Update of Secondary Devices
	Azure	MQTT	Can be generated in the e² studio	-	Can be generated in the e² studio
		OTA（ADU）	Can be generated in the e² studio	-	Can be generated in the e² studio
		Plug and Play	Can be generated in the e² studio	-	Can be generated in the e² studio
		Extended Programs	Sensor Data Visualization OTA FW Update of Secondary Devices	-	-
LCD			-	-	Equipped

			RX65N CloudKit	RX72N Envision Kit	Renesas Starter Kit+ for RX671
			Image	Image	Image
概要			IoT evaluation kit with Wi-Fi connectivity. Equipped with a Wi-Fi communication module, temperature/humidity sensor, light sensor, and 3-axis acceleration sensor. Can be evaluated in a configuration similar to IoT devices.	Multifunctional evaluation kit supporting cloud communication as well as LCD and voice input. Equipped with a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth® Low energy (LE) module and general-purpose USB port. Cloud communication + HMI evaluation in a single unit.	Optimal starter kit for an introduction to the RX671 (2MB of code flash, 144-pin count). Includes an LCD display module and on-chip debugging emulator.
通信	Ethernet		-	Supported	-
	Cellular(CAT-M1)		-	-	-
	Wi-Fi		Supported	Supported (requires optional Wi-Fi Pmod expansion board )	Supported (requires optional Wi-Fi Pmod expansion board)
Sample Programs	AWS	Getting Start	Application Note	Application Note	Application Note
		MQTT	Can be generated in the e² studio	Can be generated in the e² studio	Can be generated in the e² studio
		OTA	Application Note	Application Note	Application Note
		Extended Programs	Sensor Data Visualization   Low Power Operation	Sensor Data Visualization	-
	Azure	MQTT	Can be generated in the e² studio	Can be generated in the e² studio	Can be generated in the e² studio
		OTA（ADU）	Can be generated in the e² studio	Can be generated in the e² studio	Can be generated in the e² studio
		Plug and Play	Can be generated in the e² studio	Can be generated in the e² studio	Can be generated in the e² studio
		Extended Programs	-	-	-
LCD			-	Equipped	Equipped

Image

Certified Program

The RX Family offers programs that port real-time OSs provided by major cloud vendors for the RX Family. The FreeRTOS and Azure RTOS compatible programs have been certified as AWS and Azure devices, respectively, and can be used with confidence.

[Note] Microsoft has announced the open sourcing of Azure RTOS. Azure RTOS will now be provided by the Eclipse Foundation as Eclipse ThreadX. With this change, the Azure Certified Device program has also been terminated. Please check the Microsoft website for details.

Image

AWS Certified Programs

There are two AWS-certified FreeRTOS-powered programs.

• MQTT communication project for immediate communication with cloud services
• OTA project with remote firmware update by OTA

Different MCUs and evaluation kits support different versions of FreeRTOS.
The latest FreeRTOS ported for the RX family is supported by the CK-RX65N v1 and others.
For additional support status, please check Renesas' GitHub.
* For FreeRTOS v202107.00 and earlier versions, please check here on GitHub.

Image

A video explaining how to connect to AWS cloud services using the "CK-RX65N" evaluation kit for IoT device development with FreeRTOS is now available on YouTube!

Please watch the video from the playlist (FreeRTOS Tutorial - YouTube) on the official Renesas YouTube channel.

Image

Extended Programs

FreeRTOS Extended Programs

We provide sample programs with extended functions useful for IoT device development based on the AWS certification program.

Program	acquisition	board	communication	operation overview
Sensor data upload	Link	Renesas CK-RX65N	Ethernet Cellular	This explains the series of steps from activation of the SIM card included with the CK-RX65N to displaying the sensor data on the Dashboard. You can start developing IoT devices right away by using the SIM card included with the CK-RX65N and an AWS trial account.
	Link	Renesas CK-RX65N v2	Wi-Fi	This is a sample project to connect to AWS via Wi-Fi to visualize sensor data values on a dashboard. 10USD worth of service is available free of charge by using the AWS trial account that comes with the CK-RX65N. This sample is recommended for beginners in AWS cloud development.
	Link	RX65N Cloud Kit	Wi-Fi	By entering the provisioning information via TeraTerm, it connects to the AWS cloud and sends the sensor data. Please use this service for the initial operation check.
	Link	RX65N Cloud Kit	Wi-Fi	Visualize and control sensor data using AWS cloud services for PoC development.
	Link	RX72N Envision Kit	Wi-Fi	Utilize Quick-Connect IoT to send sensor information to Amazon Web Services and visualize sensor data. Use this for PoC development.
MbedTLS for Trusted Secure IP	Link	RX72N Envision Kit	Ethernet	This is a sample program for communicating with FreeRTOS MbedTLS using Trusted Secure IP (TSIP), a security hardware IP. Information can be securely stored in the built-in ROM by combining MbedTLS and TSIP cloud authentication.
OTA firmware update of secondary devices	Link	Renesas Starter Kit+ for RX65N-2MB	Ethernet	This is sample code for an OTA firmware update (2nd OTA) for a secondary device. The OTA FW update is performed to the RX microcontroller for the secondary device using a gateway device (RX65N) that communicates with AWS. The OTA can be performed on devices that are not directly connected to the cloud, allowing for flexible service updates and response to vulnerabilities in secondary devices. Introduction video: Secondary Device OTA Update using FreeRTOS and Amazon Web Services  Image
Low power operation	Link	Renesas CK-RX65N	Cellular	This is a sample program for low power consumption (intermittent operation) using the LTE Cat-M1 module (RYZ014A) and FreeRTOS. Many IoT devices are designed to be battery-powered, so it is necessary to devise ways to reduce power consumption. Low power consumption can be achieved by intermittent operation of communication control with this sample program. Introduction video: RX MCU Low Power Consumption Operation with FreeRTOS by Amazon Web Service

Image

   

Azure Certified Programs

There are three Azure-certified programs with Azure RTOS.

• MQTT communication project for instant communication to cloud services (Official Microsoft GitHub)
• OTA project that enables remote firmware updates via OTA (Official Microsoft GitHub)
• IoT Plug and Play compatible program（Official Microsoft GitHub）※

Since the support status of the sample programs varies depending on the Azure RTOS version and device combination, please check the official Renesas GitHub for the latest information. Application notes on how to create a new Azure RTOS project in Renesas' free development environment (e² studio) and how to use the sample programs are also available.

Image

A video explaining how to connect to Azure cloud services using the "CK-RX65N" evaluation kit for IoT device development with Azure RTOS is now available on YouTube!

Please watch the video from the playlist (Azure RTOS - YouTube) on the official Renesas YouTube channel.

*IoT Plug and Play compatible program that is a sample program based on Azure RTOS that has been certified by Microsoft for IoT Plug and Play operation. You can connect to Azure IoT Central using this sample code, which provides a customizable dashboard that makes it easy to connect, monitor, control, and manage IoT devices and products without any program changes. For more information, please see Microsoft Official Documents.

Image

Azure RTOS Extended Programs

We provide sample programs with extended functions useful for IoT device development based on the Azure Certified program.

Program	Acquisition	Board	Communication	Operation Overview
Sensor data upload	Link	RX65N Cloud Kit	Wi-Fi	Sample code to visualize temperature data on a web application using Azure cloud services. Please use it for PoC development. The contents of this sample code can also be viewed in the video below. Explanatory video: Azure RTOS Tutorial (1/3) RX65N Cloud Kit: ~ Development Environment Setup ~ Azure RTOS Tutorial (2/3) RX65N Cloud Kit: ~ Set up the program ~ Azure RTOS Tutorial (3/3) RX65N Cloud Kit: ~ Operate Azure Cloud ~
OTA firmware update of secondary devices	Link	Renesas CK-RX65N	Ethernet	This is sample code for an OTA firmware update (2nd OTA) for a secondary device. The OTA FW update is performed to the RX microcontroller for the secondary device using a gateway device (RX65N) that communicates with Azure. The OTA can be performed on devices that are not directly connected to the cloud, allowing for flexible service updates and response to vulnerabilities in secondary devices. Introduction video: Leaf Device OTA Update using Microsoft Azure ADU Image
NetXDuo with TSIP for TLS	Link	Renesas CK-RX65N		This APN presents an example of adding the TSIP driver to Azure RTOS, which includes NetX Duo, and explains how to confirm its operation. No keying information is handled as plaintext during TLS protocol processing, thereby reducing the risk that customer keying information stored on the device may leak. In addition, hardware acceleration speeds up encryption processing.

Amazon Web Services is a trademark of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries.
https://aws.amazon.com/jp/trademark-guidelines/

FreeRTOS™ is a trademark of Amazon Web Services, Inc.
https://freertos.org/copyright.html

GitHub^® is a trademark of GitHub, Inc.
https://github.com/logos

Azure is a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
https://azure.microsoft.com