Freescale Dual-Core Processor Simplifies Embedded Linux OS-Based Design

San Jose, CA - Expanding its Power Architecture technology processors for the embedded industry, Freescale Semiconductor has introduced a highly integrated dual-core system-on-chip (SoC) device. The latest member of Freescale's mobileGT processor family, the MPC5123 device is designed to simplify embedded Linux OS-based product development and reduce power requirements and system cost for industrial and consumer applications.

The MPC5123, a next-generation successor to the popular MPC5200 processor, combines a Power Architecture e300 core scaling to 400 MHz with an advanced multimedia co-processor to deliver exceptional processor performance. Manufactured on Freescale's advanced 90-nanometer low-power CMOS technology, the MPC5123 device is designed for cost-sensitive applications that require high performance, multimedia capabilities and versatile connectivity options.

The MPC5123 processor is bundled with an affordable Linux OS-based starter kit that's designed to help developers reduce the cost and complexity of their applications. Target applications for the MPC5123 device include factory automation systems, display kiosks, instrumentation, point-of-sale (POS) systems, power metering, medical monitoring and other industrial and scientific applications. In addition, the MPC5123 provides an ideal solution for next-generation automotive telematics and navigation systems.

"Industrial and embedded system developers are looking for high-performance yet cost-effective processors with a robust peripheral set to help reduce their bill of materials costs and time to market," said Mike Bryars, manager of Freescale's Infotainment, Multimedia and Telematics Operation. "The MPC5123 processor not only addresses these design challenges, it's also backed by an affordable starter kit and Freescale's companion mobileGT Linux OS BSP that's designed to streamline and reduce the cost of application development."

The MPC5123 processor's high level of integration helps reduce system design costs and enhances flexibility for a variety of general embedded applications. The device's broad set of on-chip peripherals includes 10/100 Ethernet, PCI, SATA, PATA, two USB 2.0 On-The-Go (OTG) modules with an integrated high speed PHY, four CAN modules and 12 programmable serial controllers. An on-chip integrated display controller also provides cost-effective support for liquid crystal display/thin film transistor (LCD/TFT) displays. The device's 128Kbyte of on-chip SRAM and numerous embedded memory buffers help ensure balanced system performance and system bus throughput while reducing latency demands.

mobileGT starter kit with Linux OS

The MPC5123 processor is supported by a cost-effective starter kit that includes a Linux OS board support package (BSP) optimized for the MPC5123 processor. Freescale's mobileGT Linux software includes fully functional Linux open-source images with source code, an open-source tool chain and design documentation. The software was developed in collaboration with Genesi, a leading provider of open-source platforms for the 32-bit embedded market.

"Freescale's motherboard-on-a-chip will help redefine the 32-bit embedded market and establish new market standards for open client network computers," said Bill Buck, general manager of Genesi U.S.A., Inc. "Our collaboration with Freescale around the MPC5123 device benefits the growing open-source development community by providing a powerful, cost-effective processing platform for embedded systems based on Power Architecture technology."

The MPC5123 processor platform is backed by a growing ecosystem of development tool, middleware and real-time operating system (RTOS vendors).

MPC5123 product features

• e300 core
• Built on Power Architecture technology
• 32KB instruction cache and 32KB data cache
• Double-precision floating point unit and dual integer units
• Up to 400 MHz performance, delivering 800 MIPS
• User-programmable 32-bit RISC multimedia core operating at up to 200 MHz
• Integrated display controller supporting up to 720p (1280x720) and WXGA (1366x768) resolution
• 12 programmable serial controllers supporting UART, SPI, AC97, I2S
• SDRAM DDR-I/DDR-II/mobileDDR memory controller
• 10/100 Fast Ethernet media access controller (MAC)
• Three I2Cs
• PCI 2.3 interface
• Dual USB 2.0 On-the-Go (OTG) controller with an integrated high-speed PHY
• Serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) controller
• Parallel advanced technology attachment (PATA) controller
• Four CAN 2.0A/B modules
• 64-channel intelligent DMA I/O controller
• Sony/Phillips digital interface format (S/PDIF) serial audio interface
• Secure digital host controller (SDHC) supporting MMC/SD/SDIO protocols
• 27x27 mm – 1 mm pitch 516-pin PBGA package

For more information about the MPC5123 processor, visit www.freescale.com/files/pr/mpc51xx.html.

SOURCE: Freescale Semiconductor