Freescale Semiconductors Sampling Three New Multicore 45-nm Products

Denver, Colorado-based provider of embedded semiconductors Freescale Semiconductors is planning to introduce three new communications products based on 45-nm process technology in response to increased demand from wireless infrastructure equipment manufacturers targeting advanced 3G and 4G systems. Last November, TMCnet reported Freescale’s launch of another 45-nm process technology based processor, the MSC8156.

The company is currently sampling the PowerQUICC MPC8569E processor, the dual-core QorIQ P2020 device and the six-core MSC8156 StarCore digital signal processor (DSP) through more than a dozen OEM customers. The large-scale production is expected to begin in 45-nm at the end of 2009.

 “In the current economic environment, it is encouraging to see tremendous worldwide demand for enabling technology that facilitates deployment of broadband infrastructure equipment for advanced 3G and 4G networks,” said Lisa Su, senior vice president and general manager of Freescale’s Networking and Multimedia Group. “By accelerating delivery of our high-performance 45-nm products to customers, Freescale is playing a key role in delivering the performance and cost reductions required to bring next-generation networks to life.”

This trio of 45-nm devices will provide a comprehensive solution for 3G/4G infrastructure equipment, delivering best-in-class integration, performance and energy efficiency. The products will help trim base station equipment costs as well as service provider operating expenditures, thanks to their integrated designs and low-power operation capabilities.

For instance, these devices can help cut down bill-of-material costs by up to 60 percent, for processor and DSP content in a typical 3-sector, 10MHz LTE (News - Alert) base station while reducing power consumption by 50 percent. In fact, the 45-nm parts can support double the number of users over the previous generation.

"This strong product execution bodes well for Freescale at 45-nm geometries, where the company is one or two process generations ahead of competing products,” said Linley Gwennap, principal analyst with The Linley Group. “These accomplishments demonstrate early momentum for Freescale’s QorIQ product line while providing customers with advanced processor technology for next-generation wireless infrastructure equipment.”