TMCnet Feature

From eReaders to automotive infotainment and telematics, Freescale’s (News - Alert) multi-core application processors are being adopted in a broad range of applications. Specifically, the semiconductor supplier’s flagship i.MX 6 series of compatible single, dual- and quad-core applications processors have proliferated across a number of consumer electronics. While the new i.MX 6SoloLite processor is enabling next-generation eReaders, the dual-core i.MX 6DualLite is delivering multiprocessing performance at cost-effective price points to a broad array of smart devices including tablets, medical patient monitoring systems and home energy management solutions.

Both the processors, SoloLite and DualLite, incorporate ARM (News - Alert) Cortex-A9 cores and E Ink controllers, enabling designers to simultaneously develop eReader and tablet products. The processors are also software-compatible with other i.MX 6 series devices, according to Freescale. As a result, designers can create “good, better and best” end-product versions using a common platform, said Freescale. In essence, it enables scalable solutions to meet evolving market demands and requirements, said the supplier.

With the research firm IHS (News - Alert) iSuppli predicting market for semiconductors deployed in automotive systems to expand from $5.7 billion in 2010 to $8.4 billion in 2016, Freescale’s i.MX 6 series processors are also experiencing growth in this segment. According to Freescale, i.MX 6 series processors have been selected to power a variety of automotive infotainment/telematics platforms, from entry-level systems to highly advanced offerings that take in-vehicle communications to new levels.

In fact, Freescale has also developed solutions for a number of other automotive applications using the quad-core version of i.MX 6 series processors. Using quad-core i.MX 6Quad’s real-time processing capabilities, the company demonstrated safety, driver assistance and other automotive solutions at the recent International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition, Freescale also displayed modular Tower development kits using the i.MX 6 series processors and other components offered by the company. These modular kits facilitate rapid design and prototyping.

In a video interview with TMC (News - Alert) at CES 2012, Freescale discusses these applications using i.MX 6 series processors, as well as talks about the development kits. Check out the video below: