Freescale Simplifies Embedded Interface Design with Open Source Tool Suite.NUREMBERG, Germany -- Board Support Package Provides Integrated LCD and Networking Support for ColdFire(R) Microprocessor Using uCLinux and Nano-X Open Source Tool Freescale Semiconductor (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :FSL FSL - Formal Semantics Language. A language for compiler writing. ["A Formal Semantics for Computer Languages and its Application in a Compiler-Compiler", J.A. Feldman, CACM 9(1) (Jan 1966)]. [Sammet 1969, p. 641]. ) (NYSE:FSL.B) is simplifying product development for embedded networking and graphical user interface graphical user interface (GUI) Computer display format that allows the user to select commands, call up files, start programs, and do other routine tasks by using a mouse to point to pictorial symbols (icons) or lists of menu choices on the screen as opposed to having to (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 liquid crystal display (LCD) Optoelectronic device used in displays for watches, calculators, notebook computers, and other electronic devices. Current passed through specific portions of the liquid crystal solution causes the crystals to align, blocking the passage of light. (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 USB in full Universal Serial Bus Type of serial bus that allows peripheral devices (disks, modems, printers, digitizers, data gloves, etc.) to be easily connected to a computer. On-The-Go (OTG) controller and a USB host controller. The devices deliver performance up to 211 MIPS (Million Instructions Per Second) The execution speed of a computer. For example, .5 MIPS is 500,000 instructions per second; 100 MIPS is a hundred million instructions per second. 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 TCP/IP in full Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol Standard Internet communications protocols that allow digital computers to communicate over long distances. ) 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 (hardware) Super Video Graphics Array - (SVGA) A video display standard created by VESA for IBM PC compatible personal computers. The resolution is 800 x 600 4-bit pixels. Each pixel can therefore be one of 16 colours. See Video Graphics Array. SVGA (Super VGA) A screen resolution of 800x600 pixels. Third-party vendors extended IBM's VGA display standard and were the first to use the term. SVGA has also referred to 1,024x768 resolutions. See PC display modes. 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 See software defined radio. ) and Double Data Rate (DDR) SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) A type of dynamic RAM (DRAM) memory chip that has been widely used since the late 1990s. SDRAM chips eliminated wait states by dividing the chip into two cell blocks and interleaving data between them. technology --Audio codec interface --Standard ColdFire peripheral set (UARTs, QSPI QSPI Queued Serial Peripheral Interface , 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 USD In currencies, this is the abbreviation for the U.S. Dollar. Notes: The currency market, also known as the Foreign Exchange market, is the largest financial market in the world, with a daily average volume of over US $1 trillion. ) 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 publicly traded company A company whose shares of common stock are held by the public and are available for purchase by investors. The shares of publicly traded firms are bought and sold on the organized exchanges or in the over-the-counter market. 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. |
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