Highly integrated modules based on i.MX 6 series processors provide world-class automotive connectivity features and application support.

October 15, 2014, Seoul, Korea – Freescale Semiconductor (NYSE:FSL www.freescale.com, Korea Representative: Yeon-Ho Hwang) announced three automotive-grade connectivity modules for next-generation telematics and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) as one of the results of a two-year collaboration with ALPS Electric Co. of Japan. This all-in-one solution integrates Freescale’s SABRE (Smart Application Blueprint for Rapid Engineering) technology, based on the i.MX 6 Series application processor for automotive infotainment, with ALPS’s market-proven connectivity technology, enabling the development of vehicles with smarter and more powerful communication capabilities.

As automotive infotainment and telematics systems continue to evolve and ADAS capabilities expand across the industry, automotive OEMs and major component suppliers are racing to develop a variety of next-generation connectivity systems. For example, applications such as surround-view video streaming via in-vehicle Wi-Fi routers, odometers, and navigation systems are continuously expanding. Through its collaboration with Alps, Freescale is now able to provide system designers with these and other diverse capabilities as ready-to-use modules that simplify design and streamline development.

David M. Yuz, President of Freescale Semiconductor Japan and Vice President of Freescale "The all-in-one module developed through close collaboration with Alps will advance automotive connectivity for the era of IoT and autonomous driving," said Uze. "This new solution seamlessly integrates Alps' world-class technology with the optimal scalability and ultra-high performance provided by Freescale's i.MX 6 application processor. This enables customers of both companies to implement attractive features to achieve differentiation and innovation in a highly competitive market."

The new module leverages the power efficiency, advanced graphics engine, rich peripheral I/O, optimal scalability, and pin layout compatibility ranging from single-core to quad-core provided by Freescale's high-performance i.MX 6 series application processors. The cost-effective new solution supports LTE, Wi-Fi (5GHz), Wi-Fi 802.11ac mobile communication standards, and V2X communication technology, enabling vehicles and network infrastructure to communicate in real time.

The new i.MX 6 SABRE-AI submodule, scheduled to be supplied starting in the first quarter of next year, includes the following:
• UMDZ Series LTE/3G/2G Modules
• UMPZ Series 5.9GHz V2X Module
• UGKZ series 5GHz or 2.4GHz Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module

"Takeshi Daiomaru, Head of New Business and Consumer Electronics Modules at Alps Engineering, said, 'Through the collaboration between the two companies to develop wireless modules and software solutions for infotainment based on Freescale i.MX 6 SABRE, we will be able to implement advanced features such as in-vehicle smartphone connectivity and next-generation cloud services that support vehicle-to-vehicle or vehicle-to-road communication in the future.'"

Since its establishment, Alps has supplied approximately 40,000 different electronic components to over 2,000 manufacturers of automobiles, home appliances, mobile devices, and industrial equipment worldwide. Furthermore, Alps is a company that has proven its technological prowess by supplying world-class automotive connectivity solutions to major automotive OEMs worldwide. Leveraging this expertise, Alps shortened time-to-market by developing independent, modular connectivity solutions that can be used early in the evaluation process, in conjunction with the i.MX 6 series semiconductors and the SABRE platform.

Freescale i.MX 6 Series Information
The i.MX 6 series application processors include single, dual, and quad-core families based on the ARM® Cortex™-A9 architecture, providing an ideal platform for developing a portfolio of end devices based on a single hardware design, along with powerful interconnected systems. Offering features such as high-performance multimedia processing, a pin- and software-compatible family, and integrated power management, the i.MX 6 series is a solution designed specifically for next-generation automotive infotainment, reconfigurable graphical instrument panels, and smart consumer electronics.