Freescale targets performance portables with quad core ARM chip

Compatible i.MX 6 series scales from one to four cores 

By Nick Flaherty www.flaherty.co.uk

ARM is hitting back at MIPS Technologies in the performance stakes as Freescale Semiconductor introduces the i.MX 6 series of quad-, dual- and single-core applications processors designed to deliver outstanding performance and scalability to manufacturers targeting the hottest selling smart mobile devices.
Integrating one, two or four ARM Cortex-A9 cores running at up to 1.2 GHz each, the i.MX 6 series delivers up to five times the performance of Freescale’s current generation of applications processors. This performance provides additional headroom in next-generation tablets, eReaders and smartphones although unlike the MIPS devices currently in tablets, these won't ship until the middle of next year and the data sheets aren't yet available, just marketing flyers.

Potential applications include mobile devices featuring 3D video playback, desktop-quality gaming, augmented reality applications and content creation capabilities – all delivered in ultra-sleek form factors and with significant battery life advantages over many of today’s most popular mobile devices.
“Our i.MX 6 series offers consumers the novel and uncompromised online experiences they demand from next-generation connected consumer electronic products,” said Bernd Lienhard, vice president and general manager of Freescale’s Multimedia Applications Division. “Low power, cost efficiency, enormous processing headroom and unmatched compatibility are at the heart of the i.MX 6 series.”
According to industry analyst firm In-Stat (But see the Embedded Blog story on the In-Stat acquisition) standalone eReader shipments will grow from 11.5 million units by the end of 2010 to 35 million in 2014, while the firm’s forecast for mobile Internet tablets projects shipments to reach approximately 58 million in 2014, up from 13.7 million in 2010.
Scalability across single-, dual- and quad-core products is a hallmark of the i.MX6 series. Common SoC IP building blocks enable series-wide software and development tool compatibility, while integrated power management capabilities, a broad range of integrated I/Os, and pin compatibility within package families reduce overall product complexity and development costs. Coupled with planned support for consumer, auto and industrial temperature requirements, the i.MX series offers OEMs fast time-to-value, enabling the rapid creation of complete end-product portfolios that can adjust and scale to meet evolving market demands and requirements.
The i.MX 6 series claims up to 24 hours of HD video playback and 30-plus days of device standby time. Integrated power management capabilities reduce the need for external power management chips and help to ensure only those components required for a task are powered.
The i.MX 6 series is distinguished further by being one of the first applications processors to offer hardware support for the VP8 codec. "By incorporating VP8 compression technology into its advanced new i.MX6 series of applications processors, Freescale is setting the pace for the consumer industry," said Jani Huoponen, hardware product manager for the WebM Project. "This hardware-based VP8 implementation gives Freescale customers the benefits of fully accelerated WebM support and outstanding performance."
“With the i.MX 6 series, Freescale offers the broadest and highest performance family of products based on Cortex-A9 technology of any vendor in the mobile processor segment,” said Jim McGregor, chief technology strategist at In-Stat. “The i.MX 6 family provides OEMs with a power-efficient, scalable, and software-compatible solution that meets the demands of a wide range of consumer and embedded applications.”
The series ranges from the single-core i.MX 6Solo and dual-core i.MX 6Dual to the quad-core i.MX 6Quad processors. Key features include:

• Up to four ARM Cortex-A9 cores running at 1.2 GHz per core
• Up to 1 MB system level 2 cache
• ARMv7, Neon, VFPv3 and Trustzone support
• Multistream-capable HD video engine delivering 1080p60 decode, 1080p30 encode and 3D video playback in HD
• 3D graphics performance with quad shaders for up to 200 MTPS
• Separate 2D and vertex acceleration engines for uncompromised user interface experiences
• Stereoscopic image sensor support for 3D imaging
•  Interconnect: HDMI v1.4 w/ integrated PHY, SD3.0, multiple USB 2.0 ports w/ integrated PHY, Gb Ethernet w/ integrated PHY, SATA-II w/ integrated PHY, PCI-e w/ integrated PHY, MIPI CSI, MIPI DSI, MIPI HSI, and FlexCAN for automotive applications
• Support for the VP8 codec
• Support for one of the broadest ranges of major operating system platforms in the industry
• Optional integration of an ePaper display controller for eReader and similar applications

www.freescale.com/imx

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Linaro to drive ARM-based portable devices

ARM, Freescale, IBM, Samsung, ST-Ericsson and Texas Instruments Form New Company to Speed the Rollout of portable Linux Devices

ARM, Freescale, IBM, Samsung, ST-Ericsson and Texas Instruments have created the not-for-profit company, Linaro, to provide new resources and industry alignment for open source software developers using Linux on ARM-based Cortex A system on chip (SoC) devices in portable equipment.
Linaro will invest resources in open source projects that can then be used by Linux-based distributions such as Android, LiMo, MeeGo, Ubuntu and webOS.
Linaro will provide a stable and optimized base for distributions and developers by creating new releases of optimized tools, kernel and middleware software validated for a wide range of SoCs, every six months.
Linaro’s base of software and tools will be applicable to a wide range of markets, helping reduce time-to-market for products such as smart phones, tablets, digital televisions, automotive entertainment and enterprise equipment. By providing the common foundations of tools and software for other distributions and stacks to build upon, Linaro enables greater operational efficiency for the electronics industry.
Linaro’s first software and tools release is due out in November 2010, and will provide optimizations for the latest range of ARM Cortex-A family of processors.
Traditionally, the Linux and open-source software communities focused on solving the software problems of enterprise and computing markets with a limited choice of processor platforms. The open source community is transitioning to create advanced Web-centric consumer devices using high profile open source based distributions and a wide range of high-performance, low-power ARM®-based SoCs. Linaro will make it easier and quicker to develop advanced products with these high profile distributions by creating software commonality across semiconductor SoCs, from multiple companies.
In addition to providing a focal point for open source software developers, consumers will benefit by the formation of Linaro. Linaro’s outputs will accelerate the abundance of new consumer products that use Linux-based distributions such as Android, LiMo, MeeGo, Ubuntu and webOS in conjunction with advanced semiconductor SoCs to provide the new features consumers desire at the lowest possible power consumption.
“The dramatic growth of open source software development can now be seen in internet-based, always-connected mobile and consumer products,” said Tom Lantzsch, executive officer of Linaro. “Linaro will help accelerate this trend further by increasing investment on key open source projects and providing industry alignment with the community to deliver the best Linux-based products for the benefit of the consumer.”
Linaro will work with the growing number of Linux distributions to create regular releases of optimized tools and foundation software that can be used widely by the industry, increasing compatibility across semiconductors from multiple suppliers. As a result, Linaro’s resources and open source solutions will allow device manufacturers to speed up development time, improve performance and reduce engineering time spent on non-differentiating, low-level software. Linux distributions, open source and proprietary software projects will benefit from Linaro's investment, with more stable code becoming widely available as a common base for innovation.
Linaro engineers will contribute to a wide range of open source projects covering areas such as tools, kernel, graphics and boot code. Linaro intends to work in partnership with the Linux Foundation to align on core operating principles.
In addition to ARM and IBM, four of the world’s leading application processor companies, Freescale, Samsung, ST-Ericsson and Texas Instruments, will align open source engineering efforts within Linaro.
“ARM and our partners have a long history of working with, and supporting, open source software development for complex SoCs based on the ARM architecture,” said Warren East, ARM CEO. “As a founding member of Linaro, we are working together with the broader open source community to accelerate innovation for the next generation of computing, focusing on delivering a rich connected experience across the diversity of devices in our daily lives.”
”Freescale is taking a leadership position in shaping the future of consumer electronics by enabling entirely new categories of smart mobile devices based on processors,” said Lisa Su, senior vice president and general manager of Freescale’s Networking and Multimedia Group. “Linaro represents an important step forward in developing the ecosystem for these smart mobile devices through dramatically speeding and simplifying software development cycles and leveraging the power and strength of the open source community.”
"IBM believes that leadership with Linux solutions begins with effective collaboration in the community, and IBM's ten year history of working with the Linux community has resulted in a strong, mutually beneficial relationship,” said Daniel Frye, vice president, open systems development, IBM. "IBM's ongoing collaboration has contributed to the widespread adoption of Linux throughout the data center. We are strong proponents of working with partners such as ARM to further our commitment, ensuring Embedded Linux is the leading platform for innovation in the mobile and consumer electronics markets."
“Samsung is an industry leader in high performance, low power application processors for mobile handset and other consumer devices. We fully appreciate the significance of having an optimized Linux software foundation and tools for our ARM CPU core base products, to support our customers’ needs with high quality solutions,” said Yiwan Wong, vice president, System LSI marketing, Samsung Electronics. “We are pleased to join Linaro as a foundation member and work together with ARM to serve the interests of our customers.”
“Open source has become an engine for innovation in the smart phone and consumer electronics market,” said Teppo Hemia, vice president, 3G Multimedia Platforms Business Unit of ST-Ericsson.” Being an active contributor in the open source community, we are excited to be one of the founding members of Linaro and expect our combined efforts to accelerate the development of Linux-based devices.”
“Linaro is intently focused on delivering critical open source components to enable developers building on ARM-based processors. An important element of that delivery is a more complete, higher quality development toolset that increases performance. In our leadership role, TI will support Linaro’s efforts by leveraging our open source expertise—evidenced by our participation in Linux kernel enhancement submissions and our support of popular industry development boards,” said Remi El-Ouazzane, vice president and general manager, OMAP Platform Business Unit, TI.

Related articles

• ARM, Samsung, IBM, Freescale, TI and more join to form Linaro, speed rollout of Linux-based devices (engadget.com)
• Why IBM, Chipmakers Are Backing an Open Source Linux Company. Hint: Intel (gigaom.com)
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New Freescale processor for next generation eReaders

i.MX508 integrates ARM Cortex-A8 technology and latest E Ink controller

Freescale Semiconductor is helping drive down the cost of next-generation eReaders with its i.MX508 applications processor, the first system-on-chip (SoC) to integrate advanced ARM Cortex-A8 technology together with the newest hardware-based display controller from E Ink. Freescale’s highly integrated i.MX508 processor is designed to deliver the performance, energy efficiency and system cost savings necessary to help OEMs evolve and grow the dynamic eReader product category.
With the ARM core running at 800 MHz, the i.MX508 provides twice the rendering performance of Freescale’s previous eReader processors, resulting in faster page turns and snappy responsiveness for consumers. The increased processing capability also gives manufacturers the additional performance to add features like advanced touch solutions and the ability to run other value-added applications.
The i.MX508 is notable for its support of next-generation eReader panels, which are expected to feature larger dimensions, faster page turns and significantly better resolution. The processor supports panel resolutions up to 2048 x1536 pixels at 106Hz. Leveraging the ARM Cortex-A8 engine, the i.MX508 processor has the potential performance to quickly handle complex image manipulations and color processing.
“Freescale ended 2009 with a strong market share lead in applications processors for eReaders, and now we are cementing our leadership in the eReader space with the introduction of the i.MX508 device,” said Bernd Lienhard, vice president and general manager of Freescale’s Multimedia Applications Division. “Working closely with E Ink and our customers, we are able to offer an integrated silicon solution to facilitate lower eReader retail prices and enable the next phase of growth in the eBook market.”
By integrating the E Ink display controller, the i.MX508 reduces part counts and lowers costs associated with electronic paper display control functionality by as much as 50 percent compared to systems without an integrated controller. Freescale’s i.MX508 processor also helps OEMs lower costs by integrating dual USB/PHY and cost-effective raw NAND memory.
“The integration of the ePaper display controller into the newest i.MX processor will help lower costs while enabling the next generation of E Ink display-based eReaders – a great combination for customers,” said Sriram Peruvemba, vice president of marketing for E Ink.
The i.MX508 is the latest addition to Freescale’s product roadmap for the smart mobile devices category, which is a fast-growing market segment that feeds consumer demand for low-cost, small-form-factor, long-battery-life products. The category includes smartbooks, eReaders, smartphones and other mobile consumer products.
“DisplaySearch forecasts that the worldwide eBook/eReader device shipment will triple that of 2009, increasing to over 14 million units in 2010," said Dr. Jennifer Colegrove, director of Display Technologies at DisplaySearch, a leading industry analyst firm. “Key to this growth will be improving the quality of the digital reading experience while simultaneously making it affordable. The results coming from the Freescale and E Ink collaboration are very encouraging.”
Longer battery life
The i.MX508 processor includes special power modes created for eReaders that allow the CPU and some peripherals to operate at full speed while rendering a page and then turn off to save power when they are not needed. As eReader panel resolution increases, the i.MX508 with its integrated display controller, offers lower power than software-based display controller solutions.
A complete solution
The i.MX508 processor is designed to work with Freescale’s flagship MC13892 power management/user interface integrated circuit to perform power and battery functions and facilitate user interface and control capabilities. Freescale also offers eReader OEMs the SGTL5000 stereo codec with headphone amp for audio coder/decoder functions, as well as the MMA8450Q, a low-power, 12-bit, 3-axis accelerometer for performing integrated sensing functions, such as portrait/landscape display orientation and motion detection.
Reference design for streamlined development
Freescale and E Ink have collaborated to create a reference design that allows customers to begin developing eReader products based on the i.MX508 processor right away using the i.MX51 device, which is shipping in production quantities today. The design is the latest in Freescale’s Smart Application Blueprint for Rapid Engineering (SABRE) series.
The SABRE platform for eReaders based on the i.MX51 device includes Freescale’s i.MX51 processor, a 6-inch E Ink Vizplex panel and a software version of the E Ink electronic paper display controller. Software developed by customers on the reference design can be easily ported onto the i.MX508, enabling faster time to market and optimal reuse of existing software.

Related article

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• Freescale Smartbook Tablet (ubergizmo.com)
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