Freescale transfigures display-centric, real-time embedded processing
To be able to meet the demands of increasingly discerning end-users, system designers need processors with the performance to run rich user interfaces without sacrificing real-time responsiveness or power efficacy, Freescale Semiconductor from its end has introduced the industry’s first applications processor to be able to integrate an ARM Cortex-A9 processor and an ARM Cortex-M4 processor in a single chip design. This design facilitates enhanced flexibility, followed by performance and low-power functionality for the company’s flagship i.MX 6 applications processor family.
“Freescale has leveraged its experience and deep understanding of microcontrollers, microprocessors and heterogeneous SoC design to deliver yet another industry first,” alleged Rajeev Kumar, Worldwide Director of Marketing and Business Development for Freescale’s MCU business.
Freescale’s i.MX 6 series of applications processors is growing quickly, particularly in the automotive space where shipments grew more than 50 per cent from 2012 to 2013. As stated by analyst firm Strategy Analytics, Freescale ranks #2 in the automotive market share for applications processors.
Alpha samples of this expanded i.MX 6 processor are available now, with full production expected in Q4 2014. The design is available with a comprehensive set of development tools and software support, together with Android and Linux operating systems for the Cortex-A9 processor, the MQXOS for the Cortex-M4 processor and the broad ARM community of support.
Also planned for availability in Q4 is the expanded i.MX 6 series SABRE board. The newest i.MX device joins an already-broad portfolio of i.MX 6 series products shipping today, offering multiple processing and integration options for maximum flexibility and scalability.
