Expanding the i.MX Platform for Advanced Low-Power Display Applications

A single-source solution consisting of the i.MX50 processor, software, and a dedicated power management IC to streamline development and shorten time-to-market.

July 19, 2011, Seoul, Korea — Freescale Semiconductor (NYSE: FSL, www.freescale.com ), building on its leadership in the e-reader market and strong market share in consumer electronics and general embedded, is expanding its portfolio of i.MX application processors, which integrate hardware-based display controllers with ARM® Cortex™-A8 cores, by announcing three new models of the i.MX50 family that support attractive devices using LCD and/or EPDs (Electronic Paper Displays). Complementing this highly optimized platform with Freescale’s new MC34708 PMIC (Power Management IC) can accelerate time-to-market and allow customers to purchase easy-to-use solutions sized for specific applications.

A key feature of the i.MX50 family is the integration of hardware-based display control technology. Freescale announced the first model of the family last year with the introduction of the i.MX508 SoC (System-on-Chip). Designed to strengthen and expand Freescale's processing leadership in the growing e-reader market, the i.MX508 is the first SoC to integrate advanced ARM Cortex-A8 technology with E Ink's hardware-based display controller.

By utilizing EPDs that offer high resolution, comfortable readability, and excellent energy efficiency, system designers can develop attractive, modern display-based products that provide extremely low power consumption and very long battery life. EPD technology is ideal for applications such as digital billboards, unmanned information terminals, and home/office automation equipment where "always-on" functionality is essential.

The Freescale i.MX50 application processor family provides optimal design flexibility and efficiency. Additionally, the i.MX50 processor supports faster memory connectivity with sufficient memory bandwidth, enabling system performance optimization. This device integrates the ePxP (Advanced Pixel Processing Pipeline) and OpenVG™ hardware accelerators to display advanced graphics and UIs with minimal CPU overhead. It offers maximum display flexibility through an integrated, scalable LCD interface and supports the simultaneous implementation of EPDs and LCD displays in a single end product. The i.MX50 processor supports LCD displays with a resolution of up to 1280 x 1024 pixels (SGXA).

"Freescale provides customers with one-stop shopping, ease of use, and rapid time-to-market through comprehensive optimization solutions featuring power saving capabilities and flexible design characteristics," said Ken Obuszewski, Director of Product Marketing for Freescale's Multimedia Applications business unit. "Freescale's new i.MX50 device offers an excellent solution for simplified display applications, and with the expanded range of products available, customers can now select the optimal option for their specific product requirements."

i.MX508 is currently in mass production, and the additional i.MX50 product is currently being supplied as a sample and is scheduled to be supplied in mass production quantities in the latter half of the third quarter of 2011. The i.MX502 is the lowest-priced processor with an MSRP of less than $10 USD and supports high-performance LCD-based applications such as vending machines and DECT phones. The i.MX503 supports OpenVG acceleration and is ideal for portable products requiring more advanced user interfaces, such as medical monitoring tablets and PNDs. Both the i.MX507 and i.MX508 support EPD controllers and offer varying levels of graphics capabilities depending on the target EPD market.

"E Ink is working with Freescale to drive hardware integration, design simplification, and overall system cost reduction," said Giovanni Mancini, Director of Product Management at E Ink Holdings. "As a result of this collaboration, a new market for e-paper/semiconductor solutions is opening up."
Freescale plans to provide an e-reader reference design along with the i.MX50 EVK (evaluation kit). Both development solutions include custom board support packages to streamline development.

Supplementary Power Management IC
Freescale’s commitment to system-level development support for the i.MX50 family also includes power management technology. Freescale’s latest MC34708 PMIC, specifically designed for use with both the i.MX50 and i.MX53 families, features a high level of integration targeting single-cell lithium-ion (Li-ion) applications. The MC34708 integrates multiple power supplies to support not only i.MX processors but also a variety of system peripheral ICs. Additionally, as an integrated dual-input switching charger, it provides fast charging times via both direct input power and USB input, and supports an auto-charging mode compliant with universal charging standards. An integrated mini/micro USB switch is adopted, allowing audio, UART, and USB transmission through a single connector, which reduces system costs and enables a sleeker, more aesthetically pleasing design. Additional features include a Coulomb counter, a general-purpose 10-bit ADC, a real-time clock with a backup battery and charger, an indicator LED driver, and six GPIO ports.

The MC34708 PMIC can also be used in many non-battery-driven applications where charger boost functionality is used for auxiliary power generation. Following the MC34708, a product family designed to achieve various levels of integration suitable for specific end applications is scheduled to be announced.

Development support
Freescale's i.MX50 and MC34708 solutions are supplied as reference designs including a complete software BSP, and integrated technical support is provided. The i.MX50 EVK is a single-board solution that includes display expansion options. Freescale also provides the SABRE (Smart Application Blueprint for Rapid Engineering) platform for e-reader reference designs, as well as Linux and Android™ software, to help accelerate time-to-market.

Supply situation and prices
Samples of the i.MX502, i.MX503, and i.MX507 are currently available, with a suggested retail price starting at $9.97 USD for a quantity of 10,000 units. Samples of the MC34708 are also currently available, supplied in 8mm x 8mm 0.5mm pitch BGA versions and 13mm x 13mm 0.8mm pitch BGA versions. The suggested retail price for a quantity of 10,000 units is $4.04 USD for the 13mm x 13mm device and $3.74 USD for the 8mm x 8mm device. The i.MX50 EVK, the SABRE platform for e-readers, and supporting software are also currently available from Freescale. More details can be found at www.freescale.com/imx50 .