Overview
Description
The EK-RA4M1 evaluation kit enables users to effortlessly evaluate the features of the RA4M1 MCU Group and develop embedded systems applications using Renesas' Flexible Software Package (FSP) and various IDEs.
Getting Started
Running the Quick Start Example Project
- The EK-RA4M1 board comes pre-programmed with a quick start example project (provided with the example projects bundle).
- Power up the EK-RA4M1 board through the USB debug port (J11) using the micro USB device cable connected to a 5V power source. The green power LED will light up.
- The quick start example project will begin to execute blinking the red user LED.
- Refer to the EK-RA4M1 – Quick Start Guide (PDF) to explore additional functionality of the quick start example project.
Developing Embedded Applications
- Modifying the quick start example project – refer to the EK-RA4M1 Quick Start Guide for instructions on importing, modifying, and building the quick start example project.
- Start with one of the many other example projects (provided in the example projects bundle) – choose from many example projects to learn about different peripherals of the RA4M1 MCU group. These example projects can serve as an excellent starting points for you to develop your custom applications.
Building Custom Hardware
- Start by building a functional prototype - utilize the EK-RA4M1 board with your choice of ecosystem add-ons.
- Build custom hardware – develop custom hardware by referring to the design and manufacturing information provided in the EK-RA4M1 v1 - Design Package (ZIP | English, 日本語)
Features
- MCU Native Pin Access
- R7FA4M1AB3CFP MCU
- 48MHz, Arm Cortex®-M4 core
- 256kB Code Flash, 32kB SRAM
- 100 pins, LQFP package, 14mm x 14mm x 1.70mm, 0.5mm pitch
- Native pin access through 4x 40-pin male headers
- MCU current measurement points
- Ecosystem & System Control Access
- USB Full Speed device
- 5V input through USB debug
- SEGGER J-LinkTM on-board programmer and debugger
- Debug modes
- Debug On-board (SWD) – via J-Link
- Debug Out (SWD) – via J-Link
- Debug in (SWD and JTAG)
- Two Digilent PmodTM (SPI and UART)
- User LED
- Mechanical user button
- Capacitive user button
- MCU boot configuration jumper
Applications
Documentation
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| Type | Title | Date |
| Quick Start Guide | PDF 853 KB | |
| Manual - Development Tools | PDF 2.08 MB 日本語 | |
| PCB Design Files | EK-RA4M1 v1 - Design Package
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| Application Note |
PDF
3.85 MB
Learn how Renesas MCU security is built around integrated security engines. The RA family includes various types, which can be identified in each MCU’s hardware manual. These engines operate in two modes: Compatibility and Protected. This application note defines both and outlines their use cases.
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| Application Note |
PDF
711 KB
The EK-RA4M1 example project bundle demonstrates how to write code for various Renesas Flexible Software Package (FSP) modules supported by the EK-RA4M1 kit. It includes multiple example projects that highlight peripheral usage and system functionality, while leveraging the optimized, scalable, and high‑quality FSP for embedded system design.
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| Application Note |
PDF
2.35 MB
Learn how to inject plaintext keys into RA MCUs using various security engines operating in Compatibility Mode. This application note details the protection of the Root of Trust, emphasizing secure key storage through hardware unique keys (HUK) and isolated cryptographic operations within the security engine. The security engines support multiple cryptographic algorithms and key handling methods, enabling secure and efficient key management.
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| Application Note |
PDF
402 KB
AI-generated Summary:
The document explains the two operational modes, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages, and provides practical guidance for selecting and using each mode. It also includes reference links to Renesas RA Family Application Projects that demonstrate these modes with detailed examples of the related FSP module usage.
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| Application Note |
PDF
2.87 MB
AI-generated Summary:
Low Power Modes (LPM) reduce the effective power consumption of RA microcontrollers by stopping the CPU and selectively operating peripherals and oscillators. Four LPM types are supported: Sleep, Software Standby, Snooze, and Deep Software Standby modes, each offering different power savings and peripheral availability. The document details configuring LPMs, clock source changes at run-time, peripheral operations during LPM, and transitioning between modes. It includes example projects demonstrating LPM usage, FSP configuration steps, and debugging methods across various RA kits, enabling efficient low power application development.
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| Flyer | PDF 534 KB 日本語 | |
| Flyer | PDF 412 KB | |
| Presentation | PDF 7.02 MB | |
| Flyer | PDF 331 KB 日本語 | |
| Manual - Development Tools | PDF 300 KB 日本語 | |
| Report | PDF 187 KB 日本語 | |
14 items
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Design & Development
Software & Tools
Software & Tools
| Software title
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Software type
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Company
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| RA Flexible Software Package (FSP) FSP is an enhanced software package designed to provide easy-to-use, scalable, high-quality software for embedded system designs using Renesas RA Family of Arm Microcontrollers.
Note: FSP with e² studio Installer (Platform Installer) will install the e² studio tool, FSP packs, GCC toolchain, and Segger J-Link drivers required to use this software. No additional installations are required.
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Software Package | Renesas |
| Renesas Flash Programmer (Programming GUI) Flash memory programming software [Support MCU/MPU and devices: RA, RE, RX, RL78, RH850, RISC-V MCU, Renesas Synergy, DA1453x, DA1459x, DA1469x, DA1470x, DA148xx, Power Management, Renesas USB Power Delivery Family, ICs for Motor Driver/Actuator Driver, V850, 78K0R, 78K0]
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Programmer (Unit/SW) | Renesas |
| SEGGER™ J-Link™ Software and Documentation Package Software utilities, firmware updates, and supporting documentation for the J-Link on-board programmer and debugger on the RA MCU kits.
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Software Package | Segger Microcontroller GmbH |
| QuickConnect Platform QuickConnect platform enables fast prototyping by providing compatible hardware and software building blocks.
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Software and Hardware Development Tools | Renesas |
4 items
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Sample Code
Sample Code
Filters
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| Type | Title | Date Date |
| Sample Code | Injecting and Updating Secure User Keys - Sample Code
Learn how Renesas MCU security revolves around integrated security engines. There are different types of security engines across the RA MCU. Users can find the specific engine used in a particular MCU from its hardware user’s manual. The security engines can operate in two different modes, called Compatibility Mode and Protected Mode. The application note “Renesas Security Engine Operational Modes” explains the definition of the two modes and their use cases.
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| Sample Code | EK-RA4M1 Example Project Bundle - Sample Code
[Software=RA FSP],[Board=EK-RA4M1]
ZIP
11.17 MB
IDE:
e2 studio/GCC/AC6, IAR, Keil MDK
The EK-RA4M1 example project bundle demonstrates how to write code for various Renesas Flexible Software Package (FSP) modules supported by the EK-RA4M1 kit. The sample code provides ready‑to‑build reference implementations that illustrate peripheral operation and system behavior, enabling developers to quickly evaluate FSP features and accelerate embedded application development.
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| Sample Code | Injecting Plaintext User Keys
Learn how to inject plaintext keys into RA MCUs using security engines operating in Compatibility Mode. Example projects for various MCUs and security engines demonstrate plaintext key injection with Renesas Flexible Software Package (FSP) APIs and PSA Certified Crypto APIs.
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| Sample Code | LPM Application Package
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4 items
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Related Boards & Kits
Boards & Kits
Evaluation Kit for RA4M3 MCU Group
The EK-RA4M3 evaluation kit enables users to effortlessly evaluate the features of the RA4M3 MCU Group and develop embedded systems applications using Renesas' Flexible Software Package (FSP) and e2 studio IDE. Utilize rich on-board features along with your choice of popular ecosystem add-ons to... Read More
Evaluation Kit for RA4M2 MCU Group
The EK-RA4M2 evaluation kit enables users to effortlessly evaluate the features of the RA4M2 MCU Group and develop embedded systems applications using Renesas' Flexible Software Package (FSP) and e2 studio IDE. Utilize rich on-board features along with your choice of popular ecosystem add-ons to... Read More
Product Options
| Part Number | Status | Stock | Budgetary Price (USD) | Sampleable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTK7EKA4M1S00001BU | Active | In Stock | 1u | $37.65 | Available |
Videos & Training
Kickstart IoT and embedded systems development using Renesas EK-RA4M2 and EK-RA4M3, Evaluation Kits for RA4M2 and RA4M3 MCU Groups. Familiarize yourself with the kit architecture, key features, quick start example project, and many useful resources to begin innovating quickly.
Additional Videos
News & Blog Posts
Blog Post Mar 30, 2022 |
Blog Post Jan 28, 2022 |
Blog Post Jan 28, 2022 |
Blog Post Nov 18, 2021 |
Blog Post Nov 11, 2021 |
Certifications
The EK-RA4M1 kit meets the following certifications/standards. Refer to the EK-RA4M1 user manual for the disclaimer, precautions and more details on the certifications.
EMC/EMI Standards
- FCC Notice (Class A) – Part 15
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada ICES-003 Compliance: CAN ICES-3 (A)/NMB-3(A)
- CE Class A (EMC Directive 2004/108/EEC)
- Taiwan Chinese National Standard 13438, C6357 compliance, Class A limits
- Australia/New Zealand AS/NZS CISPR 32:2015, Class A
Material Selection, Waste, Recycling, and Disposal Standards
- EU RoHS
- China SJ/T 113642014, 10-year environmental protection use period
Safety Standards
- UL 94V-0
Partners
Zephyr Project
The Zephyr Project is an open-source, scalable real‑time operating system (RTOS) designed for resource-constrained embedded systems and supports a wide range of hardware architectures and development boards. For the Renesas RA4M1 Evaluation Kit, Zephyr provides focused documentation covering board features, supported peripherals, and basic build, flashing, and debugging workflows to help developers quickly get started.
Support
Support Communities
- USB Isochronous Example for EK-RA4M1
... pvnd example and everything looks good. https://github.com/renesas/ra-fsp-examples/tree/master/example_projects/ek_ra4m1/usb_pvnd/usb_pvnd_ek_ra4m1_ep However, I would like to try isochronous transfer but I think it is not ...
Jan 6, 2022 - Factory reset ek-ra4m1 after installing another bootloader with e2 lite
Where is the hex file or instructions to Factory reset ek-ra4m1 after installing another bootloader with e2 lite This thread was automatically locked due to age.
May 7, 2025 - EK-RA4M1 i2c example issue
Hi, I am trying to use i2c in EK-RA4M1 evaluaiton kit. As a start, i tried to use iic_slave_ek_ra4m1_ep example provided by renesas here: https://github.com/renesas/ra-fsp-examples/releases I did not change any configuration in the ...
Dec 7, 2021
Knowledge Base
- Using RFP with the EK-RA4M1 Board
RFP will not work with the EK-RA4M1 board, when either E2/E2lite or J-Link is chosen as the connection method. That is because these debuggers when used with RFP are not connecting over the SWD/JTAG, but via the Factory boot serial interface. The debugger is ...
Jun 25, 2021 - RA Family: How to use the Debug Out function of J-Link OB on EK (Evaluation Kit)
... but also the customer's RA target board through the Debug OB function. However, some EKs do not support this function, such as EK-RA2A1, EK-RA4M1, EK-RA6M1, EK-RA6M2, etc. It is important to emphasize that this on-board debugger is officially provided by Renesas, and the firmware ...
Dec 14, 2023 - RA FSP Example Project Summaries: Analog
... by the Segger RTT Viewer. ADC Modules Used: ADC and IOPORT This project initializes the ADC in single scan mode (on the EK-RA2A1 and EK-RA4M1 kits) or continuous scan mode (on other kits). The user can start and stop the ADC scan and view results using RTT. LVD ...
Support Communities
