Advanced i.MX353/357 multimedia applications processors optimized for cost-sensitive human machine interfaces and personal navigation
NUREMBERG, Germany (Embedded World 2009) – March 3, 2009 – Freescale Semiconductor is focusing a powerful combination of high performance, connectivity and graphics processing on the industrial and consumer markets with the introduction of two highly integrated i.MX35 multimedia applications processors.
Optimized for computationally intensive industrial and consumer applications, Freescale’s pin-compatible i.MX353 and i.MX357 applications processors combine the ARM1136JF-S™ core with an OpenVG graphics engine, cost-effective DDR2 memory support and an array of connectivity interfaces. The i.MX353 processor targets cost-sensitive display-based systems, while the i.MX357 integrates an OpenVG 1.1-compliant graphics processing unit to address applications requiring an advanced user interface with higher levels of graphics, such as font rendering.
Freescale’s i.MX353 and i.MX357 processors are well suited for a wide range of industrial applications, such as factory automation, building control and HVAC systems that incorporate sophisticated human machine interfaces (HMI). The devices also provide the optimal multimedia capabilities needed for personal navigation devices (PNDs), e-books and other portable consumer electronics applications requiring graphical user displays.
“As the graphics content of industrial and consumer applications grows increasingly complex and compute-intensive, embedded developers are choosing cost-effective processing solutions that deliver exceptional multimedia capabilities,” said Paul Marino, general manager of Freescale’s Multimedia Applications Division. “Freescale’s latest i.MX35 processors offer the graphics acceleration and connectivity options that developers need to take their system designs to the next level of performance, within ever tighter price and power budgets.”
Running at up to 532 MHz, the i.MX35 processors’ advanced ARM1136 core implementation features a vector floating point co-processor, a multi-level cache system and a RISC-based DMA controller to provide a high level of performance without sacrificing power consumption.
An array of memory and connectivity options
Freescale’s i.MX353 and i.MX357 multimedia applications processors support a variety of external memories, such as SDRAM, Mobile DDR and DDR2, SLC and MLC NAND flash, NOR flash and SRAM. Support for cost-effective memory options such as DDR2 and multi-level cell NAND helps reduce system costs and give developers greater design flexibility.
Freescale’s i.MX353 and i.MX357 multimedia applications processors support a variety of external memories, such as SDRAM, Mobile DDR and DDR2, SLC and MLC NAND flash, NOR flash and SRAM. Support for cost-effective memory options such as DDR2 and multi-level cell NAND helps reduce system costs and give developers greater design flexibility.
These two additions to the i.MX35 processor family are packed with industry-standard connectivity options, such as controller area network (CAN) and Fast Ethernet interfaces, which support high-bandwidth data transfers for industrial applications. The processors also feature two USB ports with integrated PHYs, two MMC/SD/SDIO ports and a CE-ATA/SDIO port for external wireless modules.
Advanced multimedia capabilities
The i.MX353 and i.MX357 processors contain an integrated image processing unit (IPU) with a dedicated camera interface and an LCD controller optimized to support 24-bit WVGA displays. The IPU handles advanced image processing and display management tasks, such as deblocking, deringing, color space conversion, independent horizontal and vertical resizing, and blending of graphics and video planes. The IPU is equipped with powerful control and synchronization capabilities to perform tasks with minimal to no involvement of the ARM11 CPU.
The i.MX353 and i.MX357 processors contain an integrated image processing unit (IPU) with a dedicated camera interface and an LCD controller optimized to support 24-bit WVGA displays. The IPU handles advanced image processing and display management tasks, such as deblocking, deringing, color space conversion, independent horizontal and vertical resizing, and blending of graphics and video planes. The IPU is equipped with powerful control and synchronization capabilities to perform tasks with minimal to no involvement of the ARM11 CPU.
An available OpenVG 1.1 hardware accelerator is designed to deliver smooth textural visuals required in today’s industrial and consumer interfaces that are rich in vector and raster graphics. The OpenVG core is capable of native acceleration of Adobe® Flash, with the following benefits:
Product development support
The i.MX35 multimedia applications processors are backed by comprehensive development boards and software solutions from numerous global ecosystem partners. This ecosystem provides embedded developers with many options for selecting the right kits for their development needs. Board support packages for Linux and Windows® Embedded CE operating systems, as well as RTOS options, are available for the i.MX35 processors.
The i.MX35 multimedia applications processors are backed by comprehensive development boards and software solutions from numerous global ecosystem partners. This ecosystem provides embedded developers with many options for selecting the right kits for their development needs. Board support packages for Linux and Windows® Embedded CE operating systems, as well as RTOS options, are available for the i.MX35 processors.
Availability and pricing
Samples of Freescale’s i.MX353 and i.MX357 processors are available today through authorized distributors, with full production planned to begin in Q2 2009. Suggested resale pricing in 10,000-unit quantities begins at $11.98 (USD).
Samples of Freescale’s i.MX353 and i.MX357 processors are available today through authorized distributors, with full production planned to begin in Q2 2009. Suggested resale pricing in 10,000-unit quantities begins at $11.98 (USD).
An i.MX35 product development kit (PDK) designed by Freescale is planned to be available in May as an additional development option. The PDK will be available at a suggested resale price of $1,500 (USD).
To learn more about the i.MX353 and i.MX357 processors, visit www.freescale.com/files/pr/imx.html.
About Freescale's i.MX multimedia applications processors
Millions of i.MX multimedia applications processors are powering consumer, industrial, automotive, medical and general embedded devices. With on-chip media accelerators, multiple connectivity interfaces and package options, the i.MX family is suitable for a broad spectrum of multimedia-oriented applications. Freescale’s i.MX technology includes leading power management, security management, digital rights management and image processing technology, a formidable combination of features OEMs desire to drive high-performance video, audio and 3D gaming content on mobile devices. For more information, visit www.freescale.com/files/pr/imx.html.
Millions of i.MX multimedia applications processors are powering consumer, industrial, automotive, medical and general embedded devices. With on-chip media accelerators, multiple connectivity interfaces and package options, the i.MX family is suitable for a broad spectrum of multimedia-oriented applications. Freescale’s i.MX technology includes leading power management, security management, digital rights management and image processing technology, a formidable combination of features OEMs desire to drive high-performance video, audio and 3D gaming content on mobile devices. For more information, visit www.freescale.com/files/pr/imx.html.