Freescale Extends i.MX Platform to Low-power Display Applications

Freescale Semiconductor is expanding its portfolio of i.MX applications processors that integrate hardware-based display controllers and ARM Cortex-A8 cores with three new members of the i.MX50 product family that enable compelling end devices featuring LCD and/or electronic paper displays (EPDs). Combined with Freescale’s complementary new MC34708 power management IC (PMIC), this highly optimized platform helps speed time to market and allows customers to buy right-sized, easy-to-use solutions for their specific applications.

The incorporation of hardware-based display control technology is a hallmark of the i.MX50 product family. Freescale announced the initial member of the family last year with the introduction of the i.MX508 system-on-chip (SoC). Designed to bolster and extend Freescale’s processing leadership for the growing eReader market, the i.MX508 was the first SoC to integrate advanced ARM Cortex-A8 technology with a hardware-based display controller from E Ink.

Offering high resolution, easy readability and exceptional energy efficiency, EPDs allow systems designers to create exciting new display-based products that deliver ultra-low power consumption and extremely long battery life. EPD technology is ideal for applications such as digital signage, kiosks and home/office automation equipment for which “always-on” functionality is essential.

Freescale’s i.MX50 family of applications processors provides optimal design flexibility and efficiency. Ample memory bandwidth helps i.MX50 processors enable faster memory connections for optimized system performance. Integrating an enhanced pixel processing pipeline (ePxP) and the OpenVG hardware accelerator, the devices allow customers to display advanced graphics and UIs with minimal CPU overhead. An integrated, enhanced LCD interface offers maximum display flexibility, supporting even the simultaneous deployment of EPD and LCD displays in a single end product. The i.MX50 processors support LCD displays with resolution up to 1,280x1,024 pixels (SGXA).

Freescale Semiconductor