- Quad-core QorIQ LS series processor based on ARM Cortex®-A53 core implements "intelligent edge nodes"
- Provides platform optimized for evolving SDN (Software-Defined Networking)

November 12, 2014, Seoul, Korea – Freescale Semiconductor Korea (www.freescale.co.kr, Branch Manager Hwang Yeon-ho) announced the QorIQ LS1043A communications processor, a 64-bit ARM-based processor boasting industry-leading power efficiency for new virtual networks. Edge network manufacturers can easily scale power and performance through a System-on-Chip (SoC) architecture to meet global demand for transformation to highly virtualized Software-Defined Networking (SDN).

As cloud and data center technologies are increasingly adopted in companies, retail stores, and homes, they are driving the need for flexible, standard, low-power platforms. Meanwhile, with the ability to integrate diverse services into fewer on-site equipment units, multiple "box" service delivery solutions from service providers are rapidly being replaced by a small number of in-house gateway models. As virtual network functions and cloud integration technologies continue to mature, virtual CPE (vCPE) systems hold the potential to reduce service providers' operational expenditure (opex) and capital expenditure (capex) by lowering local IT management costs and reducing the number of physical devices to deploy.

As network functions migrate from routers to virtual and third-party vendors, new edge platforms must possess the intelligence to identify which users and applications to optimally serve, and which are less dependent on latency. Similarly, edge platforms must support highly stabilized and performance-optimized virtual machine environments and enable enterprise and service provider administrators to certify new software they provide.

Freescale's new QorIQ LS1043A quad-core processor is designed to precisely combine intelligent technology, integration, security, and performance to address these dynamics and implement a new "smart edge node." The fanless System-on-Chip (SoC) architecture delivers 1.5GHz performance while operating at just 6W of low power consumption. This exceptional performance and energy efficiency make it ideal for cost-effective vCPE products and other next-generation edge networking equipment such as branch routers, security appliances, and SDN (Software-Defined Networking)/NFV (Network Function Virtualization) edge platforms.

Vice President Tareq Bustami, Senior Director of Product Management for Freescale's Digital Networking Group, stated, "Freescale is leading the way in economical virtualized services by delivering outstanding performance, efficiency, and intelligent technology to the network edge. This new QorIQ LS1043A processor reinforces Freescale's leadership by providing world-leading equipment OEMs with a platform optimized for safely and flexibly deployed edge services at scale."

Based on the core-agnostic, software-aware Layerscape system architecture, the QorIQ LS1043A device integrates four 64-bit ARM Cortex-A53 cores, delivering 10+ Gbps and approximately 16,000+ CoreMark CPU performance. The device features advanced virtualization hardware, supports flexible and secure cloud application updates using Freescale's trusted architecture, and eliminates latency-sensitive applications through proven classification and traffic management hardware for optimized local performance.

The QorIQ LS1043A includes a comprehensive suite of high-speed I/O for wired and wireless systems, including 10GbE and 5x 1GbE, 3x PCI Express, 3x USB 3.0 with PHY and SATA 3.0 for maximum flexible configuration. It also incorporates Freescale's multiprotocol QUICC Engine™ module for integrated support of legacy wide-area and industrial interfaces.

Linley Gwennap, Senior Analyst at market research firm Linley Group, stated, "The new QorIQ LS1043A processor, featuring 64-bit performance and low power consumption, has been added to Freescale's expanding portfolio of ARM-based embedded System-on-Chip (SoC) solutions. As the first Cortex A53-based multicore device targeting the networking field, this new product is well-suited to the growing intelligent edge networking equipment market, including security appliances, SDN/NFV edge platforms, and other power-efficient fanless equipment."
Comprehensive Development Support
Freescale's deep networking expertise combined with ARM's extensive ecosystem provides developers with comprehensive tools to streamline development. The QorIQ LS1 product family is supported by the Freescale LS1 development platform along with platforms from Freescale's embedded board solution partners. The evaluation kit includes Linux® 3.12 BSP with optimized drivers for peripheral support and a six-month evaluation license for CodeWarrior development tools. Freescale's VortiQa software provides a complete software stack for enterprise and SDN, SMB networking applications, AIS application identification software for security appliances and cloud equipment. Additionally, QorIQ LS series devices are supported by Freescale's extensive third-party ecosystem.

Freescale is also a member of Linaro, a collaborative engineering organization specializing in open-source software for ARM architecture. Freescale contributes to Linaro in various ways, including actively participating in the Linaro Networking Group, which runs programs such as OpenDataPlane to promote standard APIs that support common platform interfaces across diverse networking data path hardware.

Availability and Pricing
Samples of the QorIQ LS1043A communications processor are expected to be available in the first quarter of 2015. For more information, visit http://www.sfreescale.com/LS1043A.