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Freescale Dual-Core Processor Simplifies Embedded Linux(R) OS-Based Design

Posted on: Monday, 14 April 2008, 09:00 CDT

Expanding its Power Architecture™ technology processors for the embedded industry, Freescale Semiconductor has introduced a highly integrated dual-core system-on-chip (SoC) device. The latest member of Freescale's mobileGT® processor family, the MPC5123 device is designed to simplify embedded Linux® OS-based product development and reduce power requirements and system cost for industrial and consumer applications.

The MPC5123, a next-generation successor to the popular MPC5200 processor, combines a Power Architecture e300 core scaling to 400 MHz with an advanced multimedia co-processor to deliver exceptional processor performance. Manufactured on Freescale's advanced 90-nanometer low-power CMOS technology, the MPC5123 device is designed for cost-sensitive applications that require high performance, multimedia capabilities and versatile connectivity options.

The MPC5123 processor is bundled with an affordable Linux® OS-based starter kit that's designed to help developers reduce the cost and complexity of their applications. Target applications for the MPC5123 device include factory automation systems, display kiosks, instrumentation, point-of-sale (POS) systems, power metering, medical monitoring and other industrial and scientific applications. In addition, the MPC5123 provides an ideal solution for next-generation automotive telematics and navigation systems.

"Industrial and embedded system developers are looking for high-performance yet cost-effective processors with a robust peripheral set to help reduce their bill of materials costs and time to market," said Mike Bryars, manager of Freescale's Infotainment, Multimedia and Telematics Operation. "The MPC5123 processor not only addresses these design challenges, it's also backed by an affordable starter kit and Freescale's companion mobileGT Linux OS BSP that's designed to streamline and reduce the cost of application development."

The MPC5123 processor's high level of integration helps reduce system design costs and enhances flexibility for a variety of general embedded applications. The device's broad set of on-chip peripherals includes 10/100 Ethernet, PCI, SATA, PATA, two USB 2.0 On-The-Go (OTG) modules with an integrated high speed PHY, four CAN modules and 12 programmable serial controllers. An on-chip integrated display controller also provides cost-effective support for liquid crystal display/thin film transistor (LCD/TFT) displays. The device's 128Kbyte of on-chip SRAM and numerous embedded memory buffers help ensure balanced system performance and system bus throughput while reducing latency demands.

mobileGT® starter kit with Linux OS

The MPC5123 processor is supported by a cost-effective starter kit that includes a Linux® OS board support package (BSP) optimized for the MPC5123 processor. Freescale's mobileGT Linux software includes fully functional Linux open-source images with source code, an open-source tool chain and design documentation. The software was developed in collaboration with Genesi, a leading provider of open-source platforms for the 32-bit embedded market.

"Freescale's motherboard-on-a-chip will help redefine the 32-bit embedded market and establish new market standards for open client network computers," said Bill Buck, general manager of Genesi U.S.A., Inc. "Our collaboration with Freescale around the MPC5123 device benefits the growing open-source development community by providing a powerful, cost-effective processing platform for embedded systems based on Power Architecture technology."

The MPC5123 processor platform is backed by a growing ecosystem of development tool, middleware and real-time operating system (RTOS vendors).

MPC5123 product features

e300 core

Built on Power Architecture technology

32KB instruction cache and 32KB data cache

Double-precision floating point unit and dual integer units

Up to 400 MHz performance, delivering 800 MIPS

User-programmable 32-bit RISC multimedia core operating at up to 200 MHz

Integrated display controller supporting up to 720p (1280x720) and WXGA (1366x768) resolution

12 programmable serial controllers supporting UART, SPI, AC97, I2S

SDRAM DDR-I/DDR-II/mobileDDR memory controller

10/100 Fast Ethernet media access controller (MAC)

Three I2Cs

PCI 2.3 interface

Dual USB 2.0 On-the-Go (OTG) controller with an integrated high-speed PHY

Serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) controller

Parallel advanced technology attachment (PATA) controller

Four CAN 2.0A/B modules

64-channel intelligent DMA I/O controller

Sony/Phillips digital interface format (S/PDIF) serial audio interface

Secure digital host controller (SDHC) supporting MMC/SD/SDIO protocols

27x27 mm -- 1 mm pitch 516-pin PBGA package

Pricing and availability

Samples of the MPC5123 processor are planned to be available in late third quarter 2008. Suggested resale pricing for the MPC5123 in 10,000-unit quantities starts at $20.00 (USD). Development kits bundled with the MPC5123 processor are planned to be available for a suggested resale price of $199 (USD).

For more information about the MPC5123 processor, visit www.freescale.com/files/pr/mpc51xx.html.

About Freescale Semiconductor

Freescale Semiconductor is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial, networking and wireless markets. The privately held company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing or sales operations in more than 30 countries. Freescale is one of the world's largest semiconductor companies with 2007 sales of $5.7 billion (USD). www.freescale.com.

Reader Inquiry Response: Freescale Semiconductor P.O. Box 17927 Denver, CO 80217 USA

Freescale and the Freescale logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. © Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. 2008

Source: Business Wire

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