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