Freescale Launches Most Scalable ARM Cortex-M4-based MCU

During the Freescale Technology Forum 2010 in Orlando, Freescale Semiconductor Inc. has launched what it claims to be the most scalable portfolio of low power, mixed signal ARM Cortex-M4 processor-based MCUs in the industry—its Kinetis family of 90nm 32-bit microcontrollers (MCUs). Complementing Freescale’s ColdFire+ MCU line, the devices are built using Freescale’s 90nm Thin Film Storage (TFS) technology with FlexMemory capability, and share the same software enablement and ultra–low power flexibility as ColdFire+ MCUs.

According to Reza Kazerounian, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Freescale’s Microcontroller Solutions Group, seven new Kinetis MCU families are expected to be released over the next 12 months, each one featuring the latest in low power innovation and a powerful array of mixed signal capabilities. In a statement, Kazerounian said that by offering ARM MCUs in addition to the company’s existing ColdFire solutions and MCUs built on Power Architecture technology, Freescale is delivering the ideal hardware and software solution available in the marketplace to our customers – regardless of core architecture preference. “We are building on our strong existing relationship with ARM by being the first to market with a broad portfolio of MCUs based on ARM’s new Cortex-M4 core,” he added.

The Kinetis MCUs feature exceptional mixed-signal integration. The devices integrate high-speed 16-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), 12-bit digital-to-analog converters (DACs) with on-chip analog voltage reference, multiple high speed comparators and programmable gain amplifiers, multiple serial interfaces including UARTs with ISO7816 support and Inter-IC Sound, and flexible timers for a broad range of applications including motor control. The MCUs likewise come with a powerful suite of enablement software including Freescale’s complimentary, full featured MQX real time operating system (RTOS) and bundled Eclipse-based CodeWarrior 10.0 integrated development environment (IDE) with Processor Expert, which helps accelerate the development of complex embedded applications. Kinetis MCUs are also supported by the expansive ARM ecosystem including IAR Systems’ Embedded Workbench and Keil’s Microcontroller Development Kit IDEs.

The first five product families include the K10 Family, which features performance options from 50MHz to 150MHz and 32kB to 1MB flash memory with high RAM-to-flash ratios throughout; the K20 Family, which adds USB 2.0 device/host/On-The-Go capability; the K30 Family, which adds a flexible LCD controller supporting up to 320 segments; the K40 Family, which combines USB and segment LCD functionality for products that require flexible connectivity with a graphical user interface; and the K60 Family, which includes a set of highly integrated MCUs with up to 180MHz performance and IEEE 1588 Ethernet MAC for precise, real-time time control in industrial automation environments.

Freescale Semiconductor Inc.
www.freescale.com