Freescale Unleashes More Power for Telematics and Infotainment Applica

Freescale Unleashes More Power for Telematics and Infotainment Applications; Offerings include industry-first MPC5200B processor, development and prototyping platforms, and expanded software and tools support

    Business Editors/High-Tech Writers
    Telematics Detroit 2005

    LIVONIA, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 16, 2005--Telematics Detroit 2005--Sophisticated in-vehicle infotainment features are proliferating as consumers begin to demand the same information and entertainment in their cars that they enjoy in their homes. To meet the performance needs of these advanced infotainment systems, Freescale Semiconductor (NYSE:FSL) (NYSE:FSL.B) is introducing the industry's most powerful telematics and automotive infotainment processor.
    The MPC5200B, designed for next-generation telematics and infotainment solutions, boasts 885 million instructions per second (MIPS) of processing power. In addition to the processor, Freescale is offering the Media5200 development platform and Lite5200B evaluation board, as well as an expanded ecosystem of third-party support, to help speed system development and time-to-market.
    In-car information systems, rear-seat entertainment and compressed audio players are just a few of the features consumers look for when new-car shopping. The global market for these types of features totaled $23 billion (USD) in 2004 and will double to $46 billion by 2011, according to Strategy Analytics.
    "Increased public awareness about consumer electronics is helping expand the market beyond high-end vehicles," said Anand Ramamoorthy, general manager of Freescale's infotainment, multimedia and telematics business. "Our latest automotive processor, the MPC5200B, is ideal for infotainment features in vehicles from the average family car to the top-of-the-line sports coupe. It can handle a multitude of simultaneous tasks, with horsepower to spare."

    Industry-leading MPC5200B processor

    Most architectures that support advanced multimedia applications are costly, complicated multi-core solutions or processor/DSP combinations. Alternatively, the 885-MIPS MPC5200B hosts all applications on a single, easy-to-manage PowerPC(R) core. This single-core simplicity allows the processor to execute system applications efficiently, while helping shorten product development time and reduce total system cost.
    The MPC5200B offers vehicle manufacturers an automotive processor that can unite in-car infotainment and navigation applications. Because all applications execute on a single core, features like front-seat navigation can work in tandem with rear-seat entertainment. And, the processor can do this with performance to spare for additional applications.
    The MPC5200B easily handles audio jukebox applications and next-generation 3D navigation systems and is capable of supporting audio compression decode/encode, as well as video decode. These capabilities are particularly important as emerging technologies gain traction in the automotive industry. Soon, video decode for rear seat entertainment may be as important to consumers as audio compression and DVD playback are today.
    The MPC5200B is based on the mobileGT(TM) architecture, recognized by tier-one manufacturers as a platform of choice for automotive semiconductors. It is pin- and software-compatible with Freescale's earlier MPC5200 processor.

    Media5200 development platform and Lite5200B evaluation board

    The MPC5200B processor is part of the advanced Media5200 development platform, which has the hardware and software resources needed to develop the next wave of media-centric applications in the vehicle. The Media5200 includes an integrated graphics system, a comprehensive multi-channel audio subsystem, camera input and integrated GPS. The platform also provides integrated controller area network (CAN) and media oriented system transport (MOST) networking.
    Freescale also offers the Lite5200B evaluation board (EVB) - an affordable, yet very capable, prototyping platform with expanded features to support the MPC5200B and assist in evaluation and development.

    Ecosystem of software and tools support

    The mobileGT Alliance includes world-class tool suppliers like Wind River, QNX, Green Hills Software, and a growing list of software and hardware companies that provide support for both the Media5200 and Lite5200B platforms. Additionally, Wind River recently announced that the MPC5200B is the first processor to be supported for their Platform for Automotive Devices (PAD).
    "Automotive suppliers are increasingly under pressure to support the demand for complex software such as sophisticated car-infotainment products," said Ken Klein, president and CEO of Wind River. "We chose Freescale's MPC5200B for our new automotive platform because it has the power to handle multiple applications simultaneously. This allows our customers to focus on product differentiation, reliability and usability, without worrying about limitations to the platform."
    Members of the mobileGT Alliance offer middleware solutions for the MPC5200B that address the audio and video segments of the market. These solutions include audio and MP3 playback, and recording and playback management from SimpleDevices, Lextronix's A-Framework for automotive and design services, and digital music recognition and management software from Gracenote. A variety of audio and video software codec solutions are also available.
    Freescale offers a broad range of support for the MPC5200B, including PowerTAP(TM) run control tools, the OSEKturbo(TM) operating system, the CodeWarrior(TM) Development Studio, mobileGT Edition, and a Linux Board Support Package (BSP) optimized for the mobileGT(TM) architecture and Media5200 development platform.

    Product features

    MPC5200B processor features include:

--	885 MIPS of processing power
--	Double precision floating point unit (FPU)
--	Integrated automotive networking (CAN, J1850)
--	Memory management unit-based architecture with double data rate (DDR) memory support
--	Integrated peripheral component interconnect (PCI), advanced technology attachment (ATA), universal serial bus (USB), multiple serial channels, up to three inter-IC sound (I2S) interfaces, Ethernet

    Media5200 development platform features include:

    -- 128MB DDR synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM)

    -- 64MB flash memory

    -- Graphics display controller - 8.4" color liquid crystal
    display (LCD)

    -- Integrated GPS receiver

    -- Integrated CAN and MOST networking

    -- Multi-channel audio subsystem

    -- Two PCI and one mini-PCI connector

    -- ATA, USB, Ethernet, S/PDIF and multiple serial connections

    -- Integrated AC'97 sound card

    Price and availability

    Freescale expects to sample the MPC5200B processor in the third quarter of 2005, with production quantities planned for the first quarter of 2006.
    The suggested retail price of the Lite5200B evaluation board is $995 (USD). The suggested retail price of the Media5200 development platform is $7,500 (USD). Both are expected to be available in August 2005.
    Learn more about the MPC5200B and related products on the Freescale Web site at http://www.freescale.com/files/pr/MPC5200B.html or at the Freescale booth #36-37 at Telematics Detroit 2005, May 16-17.

    About mobileGT(TM)

    mobileGT(TM) refers to both an architecture and an alliance of key vendors in the navigation, infotainment and telematics industry committed to enabling the latest customized driver information systems technologies. Freescale's mobileGT architecture provides automakers and their suppliers a single platform from the global leader in automotive semiconductors. The mobileGT platform combines hardware and software for one of the most network-ready and cost-effective platforms on which to integrate navigation, telematics, radio, multimedia and Internet technologies. mobileGT Alliance members support and drive adoption of the platform. www.freescale.com/mobilegt

    About Freescale Semiconductor

    Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NYSE:FSL) (NYSE:FSL.B) is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial, networking and wireless markets. Freescale became a publicly traded company in July 2004 after more than 50 years as part of Motorola, Inc. The company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing or sales operations in more than 30 countries. Freescale, a member of the S&P 500(R), is one of the world's largest semiconductor companies with 2004 sales of $5.7 billion (US).

    www.freescale.com

    Freescale Technology Forum

    Learn more about this inaugural forum, June 20-23, 2005, Orlando, Fla., featuring visionary keynote speeches, in-depth technical presentations and technology demonstrations from Freescale and leading hardware, software and tools providers. www.freescale.com/ftf
    Attendees can explore these MPC5200B-related sessions at the forum:

    - AFT115: MPC5200B Microcontroller and Telematics Applications

    - AFT116: Converting MPC5200A Systems to Use the MPC5200B

    Freescale(TM) and the Freescale logo are trademarks of Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. The "PowerPC" name is a trademark of IBM Corp. and used under license. (C) Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. 2005.

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CONTACT: Freescale Semiconductor North America Laura Wilkerson, +1 (512) 895-7601 laura.wilkerson@freescale.com or Lois Paul & Partners Danny Begonia, +1 (512) 638-5317 danny_begonia@lpp.com or Freescale Semiconductor Asia Pacific Gloria Shiu, +852 2661 8237 gloria.shiu@freescale.com or Freescale Semiconductor Europe, Middle East and Africa Regina Cirmonova, +41-22-799-1258 regina.cirmonova@freescale.com or Freescale Semiconductor Latin America Ruth Ruiz, +1 (480) 814-4897 ruth.ruiz@freescale.com or Freescale Semiconductor Reader Inquiry Response: P.O. Box 17927 Denver, CO 80217 USA

KEYWORD: FLORIDA TEXAS MICHIGAN INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TELECOMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE NETWORKING HARDWARE AUTOMOTIVE TRADESHOW PRODUCT SOURCE: Freescale Semiconductor

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