“We’re developing many key products to be launched this year”

Dr. Reza Kazerounian, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Microcontroller Solutions Group (MSG), Freescale Semiconductor Inc., recently spoke to EDN Asia during his visit to India. Excerpts:

Can you say something about the latest trends in microcontroller technology?
Reza: There are several trends spanning the MCU spectrum. In general, the trends include more processing power, more memory, more analog functionalities, and lower power across the entire MCU range. Multi-core architectures and the roles of software and ecosystem are becoming particularly important at the higher end.

MCU technology has always remained behind microprocessor technology. Any comment?
Reza: MCU technology is generally at least one node behind microprocessors. What we always look for is the optimum node for our customers, not the lowest or the most advanced node. The technological requirements of MCUs are very different from those of microprocessors. An MCU has digital, analog, and memory on the same chip, whereas the microprocessor is almost entirely digital. The main application for microprocessors is in PCs, which is digital. MCUs have a very wide range of applications in a vast range of equipment needing digital, analog, and non-volatile memory.

How do you see the growth of various bits of microcontrollers across applications?
Reza: 8-bit and 32-bit are fast growing across the board, especially in automotive, industrial, and medical applications. In automotive, for instance, body security and driver information segments use 8-, 16-, and 32-bit; and in power-train, the trend is toward 32-bit. In industrial, the metering segment uses 8-bit and 32-bit. 32-bit is the fastest growing segment in the market. In terms of the number of units sold, 8-bit will continue to dominate. With 8-bit continuing to evolve through the addition of more memory and analog, it will show strong growth.

Which industry segments are the main focus areas of MSG?
Reza: We have a strong focus on the automotive, industrial, and multimarket segments. In automotive, we are focused on body security, safety, power-train, and multimedia entertainment/driver info. In industrial, we are focused on appliances, white goods, medical applications, metering, and motor drives. We are also making good progress in the consumer/multimarket segment, particularly with regard to our wireless RF4CE for remote applications, such as entertainment system remote controls using RF technology.

What kind of opportunities do you see in Asia for microcontrollers?
Reza: Freescale ships more than 30 percent of its microcontroller output to Asia. We are seeing a lot of opportunities in China, India, and Korea in automotive, industrial and consumer applications. While Korea has a huge 4-wheeler market, China and India have substantial 3-wheeler and 2-wheeler markets as well. In the metering segment, a large number of Asian countries have large markets. And in Japan, we are seeing good acceptance and growth for our remote RF technology.

How do you look at India?
Reza (and Ganesh Guruswamy, Vice President & Country Manager, India): Outside the U.S., Freescale has its largest design center in Noida, India, employing 1,100 people. Besides Noida, we have offices in Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune. In India, we do complete product designs, partial product designs, and IP development. We continue to invest in India because we look at India not only as an important design center but also a good market. India also serves as a market for neighbouring countries.

What has been the global outlook for microcontrollers?
Reza: In 2009 the global turnover of the industry was $10.8 billion, 21 percent less than in 2008, according to the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics. The recession adversely affected the MCU industry. But most analysts have forecast that 2010 will be very positive, with an expected growth of 15-20 percent overall. We believe that we’ve recovered from the worst of recession. The first half of 2010 is expected to show strong growth. The second half is also expected to have growth.

What main challenges do you see for Freescale in the next one year?
Reza: We’re developing many key products across all segments to be launched this year. Developing and launching them is challenging but we are up to that challenge. Yet another challenge is to increase our market share, for which we’re working hard.