Freescale Brings 8-bit Ease-of-Use to 32-bit Processing; New ColdFire(R) V1 Core to Power Industry's First 8-bit-Compatible 32-bit Microcontrollers

The 68K/ColdFire V1 core will provide the engine for theindustry's first 32-bit devices that are compatible with 8-bit --allowing easy migration between architectures. Products based on theV1 core will use the same peripheral modules and development tools asproducts based on the S08 architecture, providing upward compatibilityand simplifying application design.

"The 68K/ColdFire V1 core is Freescale's next step in deliveringthe Controller Continuum, our roadmap for 8-bit and 32-bit productcompatibility that will give designers the ability to moveeffortlessly between 8-bit and 32-bit microcontrollers," said MikeMcCourt, vice president and general manager of Freescale'sMicrocontroller Division. "Our next-generation products based on theV1 core will provide 32-bit performance with 8-bit ease-of-use at16-bit prices."

"The introduction of the V1 core represents a significant step tobridge the gap between 8- and 32-bit microcontroller applications,"said Rob Lineback, senior market analyst, IC Insights. "Providing acommon set of development tools and integrated peripherals, along withpin-compatible packages, is crucial. Freescale appears to be on trackwith its efforts to join the 8- and 32-bit MCU worlds."

Ultimate Balance between Price and Performance

Freescale has a rich peripheral portfolio, built on 30 years ofmicrocontroller expertise. The 68K/ColdFire V1 core will leverage thislegacy to enable new application features and capabilities.Freescale's 68K/ColdFire V1 core and 8-bit S08 architecture will sharea common set of tools, starting with the CodeWarrior(R) 6.0development studio. The CodeWarrior tool set makes programming the32-bit 68K/ColdFire architecture as simple and straightforward asprogramming an 8-bit microcontroller.

Early supporters of the 68K/ColdFire V1 core include Opto 22, aprovider of hardware and software products for applications inindustrial automation and remote monitoring.

"Opto 22 has a long history of using Freescale microcontrollersand microprocessors in our most successful products," said Matt Chang,engineering manager, Opto 22. "Freescale has continued to deliver theinnovative architectures, features, tools and performance we need in atimely and efficient manner. The introduction of the V1 core willallow us to use both 8- and 32-bit technology in a formerly 8-bit-onlyspace, without the development discontinuities imposed by multiplearchitectures."

The 68K/ColdFire V1 core is designed to deliver increased systemutilization, resulting in the lowest power consumption of any68K/ColdFire products to date, while offering more processingperformance than 8-bit microcontrollers. This newlow-voltage/low-power technology allows the V1 core to achieveaggressive stop/run currents.

The full set of ColdFire architecture registers are built into the68K/ColdFire V1 core, and it supports the same programming model asthe 68K/ColdFire V2-V4 cores. The V1 core uses the S08 bus structure,which enables the use of similar peripheral and memory modules. Forpackage pin compatibility, the V1 uses the S08's single-pin backgrounddebug mode to create simple interface configuration.

Pricing and Availability

Freescale intends to introduce multiple products based on the68K/ColdFire V1 core throughout 2007. Freescale anticipates productsbased on the V1 core will be priced within approximately 20 percent ofour 8-bit products with comparable features. For more informationabout the V1 core, visithttp://www.freescale.com/files/pr/V1coldfire.html.

About the Controller Continuum

Introduced in 1Q06, Freescale's Controller Continuum for consumerand industrial applications features an 8- to 32-bit roadmap withpin-for-pin compatible devices that will share common peripherals anddevelopment tools. With the recent introduction of the RS08KA family,Freescale provided an ultra-low-end entry point to the ControllerContinuum, and ColdFire product introductions continue to increaseaccess to 32-bit performance.

About Freescale Semiconductor

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NYSE:FSL) (NYSE:FSL.B) is a globalleader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors forthe automotive, consumer, industrial, networking and wireless markets.Freescale became a publicly traded company in July 2004. The companyis 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 largestsemiconductor companies with 2005 sales of $5.8 billion (USD).www.freescale.com.

Freescale Technology Forum

The Freescale Technology Forum (FTF) is fast becoming the embeddedsemiconductor industry's premier developer conference. A globalprogram, FTF events feature visionary keynote speakers, in-depthtechnical training, and interactive demonstrations from Freescale andleading hardware, software and tools providers. Attendees can explorethe V1 core at the Orlando forum in a session titled "Overview of theIndustry's First 8- to 32-bit Compatible Architectures." For detailedinformation about FTF events around the world, please go towww.freescale.com/ftf.
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