June 24, 2015, Seoul, Korea – Freescale Semiconductor (www.freescale.co.kr) announced the world’s smallest single-chip module (SCM) for the Internet of Things (IoT).

As the Internet of Things (IoT) demands more processing power in smaller spaces, Freescale's new SCM family can integrate hundreds of components, including processors, memory, power management and RF components, into a 17mm X 14mm X 1.7mm package on a 6-inch substrate—the size of a U.S. dime.

At the Freescale Technology Forum (FTF) in Austin, Texas, Freescale introduced the first product in its new SCM portfolio. Designed to function as a computer-on-a-chip, the i.MX 6Dual SCM integrates the performance of Freescale's i.MX 6Dual applications processor with a power management integrated circuit (PMIC), flash memory, DDR memory, embedded software and firmware, and system-level security technologies such as random number generation, cryptographic engines, and tamper detection.

SCM products are designed to significantly shorten product development time, and are expected to reduce hardware development time by approximately 25%. They are also expected to be more than 50% smaller than current individual solutions. The module's exceptional performance and connectivity enable customers targeting the Internet of Things (IoT) market to integrate sophisticated predictive data analytics capabilities into their products, resulting in powerful and potentially impactful end products.

Freescale's SCM modules are ideal for 3D gaming goggles where battery life and power are critical, next-generation IoT drones that require exceptional processing power for object recognition, and other IoT products where cutting-edge graphics and user interfaces are key to mainstream adoption. Other markets suitable for Freescale's SCM technology include wearables, next-generation medical devices, and autonomous sensing applications.

“Early-stage companies entering the IoT and portable product markets often have limited resources and must create novel and compelling products within extremely constrained specifications,” said Nancy Fares, vice president of system solutions at Freescale. “For these companies, and others targeting these competitive, fast-growing markets, Freescale’s SCM family of products enables them to immediately begin development and focus on highly differentiated applications and products, while also providing a significant breakthrough in solving numerous hardware and software design challenges.”

Supply status and support

Freescale's SCM portfolio products are offered as fully tested, software-enabled platforms for consumer and industrial applications. They feature optimized board support package stacks and support both Linux and Android. The i.MX 6Dual SCM will be available directly from Freescale and through authorized distributors beginning in August 2015, with other products on the SCM product roadmap to follow over the next two years.

Freescale's software and hardware implementation teams, along with numerous SCM-integrated system partners, support the sourcing and enhanced design of complete embedded components to reduce supply chain complexity and address development challenges.