BusinessWire
February 14, 2006 03:00 AM US Pacific Timezone

Freescale Simplifies Embedded Interface Design with Open Source Tool Suite

NUREMBERG, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 14, 2006--
Board Support Package Provides Integrated LCD and Networking Support for ColdFire(R) Microprocessor Using uCLinux and Nano-X Open Source Tool

Freescale Semiconductor (NYSE:FSL) (NYSE:FSL.B) is simplifying product development for embedded networking and graphical user interface (GUI) systems with a suite of open source development tools for its MCF532x and MCF537x ColdFire(R) device families.

To support the ColdFire processor families, Freescale is offering a user-friendly board support package that includes liquid crystal display (LCD) and networking support, which helps users reduce costs and speed time-to-market.

The use of 32-bit processors in embedded GUI designs continues to gain momentum with many developers, delivering sophisticated desktop-like operating systems to the end user. The vast majority of these systems employ the Linux(R) kernel because of its high performance, zero licensing fees, free code distribution across a large community of users and compatibility with multiple user interfaces and file systems. The MCF532x and MCF537x families are well-suited for embedded systems applications requiring LCDs and/or networked connectivity on a single chip.

Based on the ColdFire V3 core, the MCF532x and MCF537x product families are the first in an expanding ColdFire processor portfolio to feature both an integrated USB On-The-Go (OTG) controller and a USB host controller. The devices deliver performance up to 211 MIPS at 240 MHZ, placing them among the highest performing in their class. Additionally, the MCF532X integrates a bus-mastering 18-bit color LCD controller that supports screen sizes up to 800 x 600 pixels on panels for human-machine interfaces.

The ColdFire board support package is comprised of several software elements, including the uCLinux tool chain and kernel with basic Ethernet and serial communication drivers, full Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) stack, USB Host/OTG and LCD frame-buffer drivers and the Nano-X open source tool.

Nano-X is an open source tool aimed at bringing the features of modern graphical windowing environments to smaller devices and platforms. The architecture allows developers to easily add different display, mouse, touch screen and keyboard devices to their designs and comes complete with a full set of graphical components for building application-specific GUIs. A key component of the Nano-X tool is its small system overhead (50-250k of memory), which enables the realization of powerful embedded GUI systems while keeping design costs to a minimum.

MCF532x and MCF537x family features at-a-glance

-- V3 ColdFire processor core

-- Up to 211 (Dhyrstone 2.1) MIPS @ 240 MHz

-- Enhanced multiply accumulate (EMAC) module and hardware divide

-- Integrated 18-bit color super video graphics array SVGA LCD controller (MCF532x only)

-- USB 2.0 host controller with integrated full-speed transceiver

-- USB 2.0 OTG controller with integrated full-speed transceiver

-- 10/100 Mbps Ethernet controller

-- Enhanced controller area network (CAN) 2.0B controller

-- Algorithm-specific cryptography accelerators

-- Support for standard and low-power Single Data Rate (SDR) and Double Data Rate (DDR) SDRAM technology

-- Audio codec interface

-- Standard ColdFire peripheral set (UARTs, QSPI, timers and I2C)

-- Low-power operating modes and clock management capability

Evaluation platforms

To assist with processor design-in, Freescale offers comprehensive design and evaluation platforms for the MCF532x and MCF537x families. The platforms feature plug-in system-on-a-module cards that can be designed directly into an embedded system and are available for individual resale.

The evaluation boards come with a complimentary copy of CodeWarrior Development Studio for ColdFire Architecture, Special Edition. Freescale also offers comprehensive software and tools solutions through alliances with world-class embedded suppliers, including Green Hills, MQX Embedded, Wind River and Accelerated Technology. Customers will have access to full open source software solutions and third party off-the-shelf boards.

Pricing and availability

Samples of the MCF532x and MCF537x processors currently are available, with production quantities anticipated in the second quarter of 2006. Suggested resale pricing in 10,000-piece quantities starts at $10 (USD) for the MCF532x and $11 for the MCF537x devices.

For more information about the MCF532x and MCF537x families and the open source development tools, visit http://www.freescale.com/files/pr/opensourcetools.html.

About Freescale Semiconductor

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NYSE:FSL, FSL.B) is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial, networking and wireless markets. Freescale became a publicly traded company in July 2004 after more than 50 years as part of Motorola, Inc. The company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing or sales operations in more than 30 countries. Freescale, a member of the S&P 500(R), is one of the world's largest semiconductor companies with 2005 sales of $5.8 billion (USD). www.freescale.com

Freescale(TM) and the Freescale logo are trademarks of Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. (C) Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. 2006.