Freescale’s first ARM-based QorIQ communications processors target the Internet of Things
The new QorIQ LS1 family of products are aimed at a broad range of power-sensitive networking applications, as well as additional fast-growing product categories including Internet of Things gateways and industrial automation and control equipment. Previous QorIQ devices were based around the PowerPC architecture.
Each of the three new QorIQ LS1 family processors features two reliability-optimized ARM Cortex-A7 cores. These high-efficiency cores – typically used in battery-powered applications such as smartphones – have been enhanced with error detection and correction technology. Pre-silicon analysis by Freescale indicates the dual Cortex-A7 cores should achieve over 6,000 CoreMarks of performance at 1 GHz, with typical power at under 3W for the entire SoC.
“Market demand is growing for high-performance solutions suitable for fanless, sub-3 W designs," said Tareq Bustami, vice president of Product Management for Freescale’s Digital Networking business. “The QorIQ LS1 family reinforces Freescale’s market leadership in communications processing and extends the reach of QorIQ platforms into new and expanding markets.”
The LS1 family incorporates peripherals and features for fanless embedded applications under 3W, including: LCD controller, ECC protection of all SRAM for maximum reliability, support for both DDR3L and DDR4 memory, virtualization support, QUICC Engine technology, SATA3 and USB 3.0 with integrated PHY, all packed into a small 19x19mm SoC footprint.
The pin- and software-compatible LS1 family includes the highly integrated LS1020A processor for fanless enterprise and consumer networking applications, such as enterprise access points, multi-protocol IoT gateways and security appliances, the LS1021A, which adds integrated display controller and industrial interfaces for use in factory/building automation, M2M, printing and defense/aerospace applications and the cost-optimized LS1022A for power-sensitive industrial applications with extremely aggressive power envelopes.
“Freescale’s QorIQ LS1 series is an impressive example of how application specific IP and SoC design can combine with ARM technology to create a flexible and integrated product,” said Charlene Marini, vice president, Marketing, Embedded Segments at ARM. “Freescale is a leading company in communications processing. Its adoption of ARM Cortex-A7 processors for this latest product family underscores the exciting role that ARM is playing in bringing advanced energy efficiency and intelligence to the world’s data networks.”
“We anticipate that customers will find the QorIQ LS1 family’s combination of sub-3 watt power, high reliability and rich feature set, including integrated display controllers and industrial interfaces, a compelling option for new multi-protocol industrial platforms,” said Peter McCarthy, director of global partnerships at QNX Software Systems. “As a Freescale Preferred Partner, we are excited to see how Freescale has once again raised the bar, and we look forward to offering support for QorIQ Layerscape products.”
“Wind River’s VxWorks real-time operating system and Linux customers are anxiously looking forward to the arrival of the new QorIQ LS1 family,” said Dinyar Dastoor, vice president of product management for Operating Systems Platforms at Wind River. “For power-constrained industrial automation and networking applications like Internet of Things gateways, the LS1 family establishes a new class of performance by delivering outstanding efficiency and integrating features like DDR3L and DDRF memory support all while staying under 3 watts.”
The combination of Freescale’s networking expertise with ARM’s ecosystem gives designers access to comprehensive tools to ease development. The QorIQ LS1 family is supported by Freescale’s Tower System modular development platform, featuring an integrated on-board probe for further cost savings, along with third-party platforms developed by Freescale’s embedded board solutions partners.
Evaluation kits include a Linux 3.12 BSP with optimized drivers to support peripherals, and a six-month evaluation license for CodeWarrior development tools. Freescale’s VortiQa software provides complete software stacks for enterprise and SMB networking applications, including gateways, security appliances and cloud equipment. All QorIQ LS series devices are also supported by Freescale’s third-party ecosystem.
Sample quantities of the QorIQ LS1 processors are planned for Q1 2014.
www.freescale.com
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