Press Release, 11 December 2025
Renesas Electronics Corporation has introduced its first dual-band Wi-Fi 6 microcontrollers (MCUs) and a combined Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) MCU, targeting the fast-growing market for connected, energy-efficient IoT and smart home applications. These new devices — the RA6W1 (Wi-Fi 6 only) and RA6W2 (Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth LE) — are built on Renesas’ low-power RA MCU architecture and are designed to provide always-on wireless connectivity without draining battery life, a key requirement for next-generation sensors, smart locks, cameras and other connected products.
Unlike earlier solutions that relied on external modules or simpler Wi-Fi standards, the RA6W1 and RA6W2 integrate robust dual-band support for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies, delivering higher throughput, lower latency and more reliable performance in crowded network environments. Advanced Wi-Fi 6 features like Target Wake Time (TWT) help extend battery life by coordinating communication schedules and allowing devices to spend more time in ultra-low-power sleep modes without losing cloud connectivity. The combo RA6W2 also brings Bluetooth LE connectivity into the same chip, giving designers flexibility to support multiple wireless protocols for companion apps, device pairing and low-power sensor interactions — all while simplifying system architecture and reducing overall costs.
These MCUs are optimized for ultra-low power use, with sleep-mode currents dropping to the nanampere range and connectivity options that help devices stay responsive yet energy efficient. They also come with strong security features, including built-in encryption and secure boot, and are compatible with modern smart-home standards like Matter, enabling easier integration across connected platforms. Renesas supports both standalone MCU designs and fully integrated module solutions with pre-validated RF stacks and global certification, helping developers accelerate time to market and reduce design complexity. With long-term support and a flexible software ecosystem, these new Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth LE MCUs aim to empower the next wave of IoT innovation across residential, industrial and medical use cases.
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