Freescale Strengthens StarCore DSP Roadmap With Increased Performance, Higher Channel Densities and Advanced Diagnostics.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NYSE:FSL) (NYSE:FSL.B)

--MSC7119 and MSC7118 DSPs Offer Optimized Solutions for Performance-Driven VoIP and General-Purpose Signal Processing Applications While Enhancing System Reliability With Built-In Test Feature

Further strengthening its commitment to the StarCore(TM) architecture, Freescale Semiconductor (NYSE:FSL) (NYSE:FSL.B), the #2 supplier of programmable digital signal processors, today announced two high-performance additions to the low-cost MSC711x family of DSPs based on StarCore technology.

With the introduction of the MSC7119 and MSC7118 DSPs, the MSC711x family now includes seven pin-compatible devices, all based on the same core architecture and software solution. The expanded MSC711x family provides voice over IP (VoIP) equipment manufacturers with a fully scalable line of integrated DSPs to address a broad range of performance requirements.

The MSC7119 and MSC7118 increase the performance of the MSC711x family from 800 millions of multiply accumulates (MMACs) to 1200 MMACs at 300 MHz while increasing on-chip memory from 192KB to 256KB. To enable industry-standard network connectivity, the MSC7119 also includes the cost-effective 10/100 Ethernet, also available on the MSC7116 and MSC7113. With more memory, performance and integration options, this pin-compatible family eases migration to higher levels of performance for existing VoIP system designs.

"Zultys is currently using Freescale's DSPs in the MX250 Enterprise Media Exchange," said Mark Sigal, vice president of engineering at Zultys Technologies. "Freescale's commitment to the scalable StarCore roadmap gives us the ability to address performance demands as our products evolve."

To enable higher-voice density system designs in the networking, VoIP and baseband markets, the MSC7119 and MSC7118 devices now enable 16-24 premium voice channels and 32-48 channels of G.711, allowing a single device to terminate a T1 or E1 connection. The programmability of these DSPs also makes them attractive for the general-purpose market. The MSC711x family is available in extended temperature ranges (-40 degrees C to +105 degrees C), a key feature for security, healthcare, industrial, instrumentation, imaging and other general-purpose signal processing applications.

Like all MSC711x family devices, the MSC7119 and MSC7118 integrates Freescale's innovative fieldBIST hardware diagnostic feature, which allows detection of and visibility into unlikely field failures for systems requiring remote fault isolation and detection capabilities. The fieldBIST feature enables Freescale customers to test the structural health of an MSC711x DSP through a simple JTAG port without the need for expensive automatic test equipment (ATE). This built-in self-test feature can be easily used by system software under customer-specific voltage and temperature conditions to report partial or complete device inoperability and identify errors in the memory, logic or PLL blocks. Without even taking the DSP off the board, this in-field testing capability helps reduce error identification time from several days to a matter of minutes.

In related news, according to a recent DSP market bulletin from Forward Concepts(a), Freescale has moved up in the ranks to become the #2 supplier of DSPs with 59% growth in overall DSP shipments in 2004. Forward Concepts projects that worldwide DSP shipments in 2005 will increase by approximately 10 percent, driven by the growth in the wireless market.

"As the industry's #2 DSP supplier, Freescale is in a strong position to support growing market demand for DSP-based solutions in 2005 through its continued commitment to delivering new DSP offerings based on StarCore technology," said Will Strauss, president and founder of Forward Concepts.

MSC7119 and MSC7118 Key Features

--SC1400 core from StarCore, LLC 

--Scaling up to 1200MMACS @ 300 MHz

--Up to 472 KB of on-chip memory

--Integrated DDR memory controller

--10/100 Ethernet MAC (MSC7119 only)

--Two (7119) or Three (7118) TDM interfaces

--HDI-16 (8-bit mode capable)

--UART

--I2C

--GPIOs

--Eight timers

--32-channel DMA 

--Lead-free and lead-bearing 17x17 mm 400-pin MAPBGA 0.8mm pitch packages

--Binary software and footprint compatible with all members of the MSC711x family

--Binary software compatible with the MSC81xx family and all devices based on the SC1400 core from StarCore, LLC

The fieldBIST hardware diagnostics tool ensures the device:

--Has structural integrity

--Operates at the rated speed

--Can report partial or complete device inoperability

fieldBIST resolution can identify errors in:

--6 memory blocks, including ROM

--3 logic levels (top, extended core, and peripherals)

--1 PLL

Full Complement of Enablement Tools

Freescale's DSP products based on StarCore technology are supported by a comprehensive ecosystem of development tools, operating systems and applications from third-party vendors. This development suite provides the hardware, software and tools necessary to accelerate and streamline development of world-class products based on Freescale semiconductors. Freescale also offers the SmartDSP OS, a royalty-free RTOS with source code as part of the tools offering and peripheral drivers for the MSC711x family of DSPs.

Pricing and Availability

The MSC7116, MSC7115, MSC7113, MSC7112 and MSC7110 devices are all available in production quantities today. Customer samples of the MSC7119 and MSC7118 are planned for Q2 2005, and production is planned for early Q3 2005. Suggested retail pricing for the MSC7118 and MSC7119 is expected to range from $33.00 (USD) to $35.00 (USD) in 10K unit volumes. For complete pricing information, please contact Freescale Semiconductor or your local Freescale Semiconductor sales representative.

About Freescale Semiconductor

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NYSE:FSL) (NYSE: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 2004 sales of $5.7 billion (US). 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. 2005.

(a) Source: Forward Concepts' DSP/Wireless Market Bulletin, February 9, 2005, (C) 2005 Forward Concepts.

NOTE TO EDITORS: In the term "I2C" above, the "2" is superscript. It was changed for transmission purposes only.