RoadTest: Renesas CAT-M1 Cloud Kit CK-RA6M5
Author: hajami
Creation date:
Evaluation Type: Development Boards & Tools
Did you receive all parts the manufacturer stated would be included in the package?: True
What other parts do you consider comparable to this product?: None
What were the biggest problems encountered?: Software download and setup
Detailed Review:
The Renesas Cloud Kit CK-RA6M5 is an IoT development platform that includes a board based on the Renesas RA6M5 microcontroller and an array of sensors, actuators, and interfaces. The board is designed to connect to the cloud and enable developers to quickly build and prototype IoT applications.
The kit was packaged neatly in its box, with all electronics inside static bags for protection. There wasn’t much in terms of documentation but I was able to find everything online. Adding a QR code link to the website would be a great update to the box or guide.
Getting started with the Renesas Cloud Kit was easy. The quick start guide that I downloaded from the website walks you through the process of setting up the hardware and connecting it to the cloud. Sample code and instructions are also available online for using the various sensors and actuators on the board. Beware though – the software download is a large file (~1.5GB).
Once I set the kit up, it was onto experimenting with the different sensors and interfaces. The board includes sensors for temperature, humidity, pressure, and ambient light, as well as an accelerometer and a magnetometer. There are also interfaces for connecting to Wi-Fi and Ethernet networks, as well as USB and SD cards. The release note included in the box noted that the MEMS Motion Tracking Sensor was not installed due to component shortages, not a big deal here as we’ve all been impacted by this issue.
One of the standout features of the Renesas Cloud Kit is the cloud connectivity. The board includes support for various cloud services, including Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). The cloud connectivity enables developers to easily store and analyze data from the various sensors on the board, as well as control the various actuators. The cellular modem included in the kit made getting online quick an easy.
I found the development process with the Renesas Cloud Kit to be smooth and intuitive. The kit includes an integrated development environment (IDE) based on the Eclipse platform, as well as a software framework that simplifies the process of developing IoT applications. The IDE includes a debugger and a real-time trace function, which were both very helpful during the development process.
I was not able to use the kit for my original intent of an outdoor monitoring station as all the sensors are built into the board. Enclosing the unit in a waterproof case would defeat the purpose of environmental monitoring. I modified my approach to indoor monitoring and it worked great!
Overall, I was impressed with the Renesas Cloud Kit CK-RA6M5. The kit is easy to set up and provides a comprehensive set of features for developing IoT applications. The cloud connectivity is a particularly useful feature, as it enables developers to quickly prototype and deploy cloud-connected IoT applications. If you're looking for an IoT development platform that is easy to use and provides a lot of functionality, the Renesas Cloud Kit is definitely worth considering.
