Metrowerks Launches Comprehensive Development Solution for Powertrain Platforms

End-to-End Support for Freescale Semiconductor's MPC5500 Family Simplifies and Accelerates Automotive Development

AUSTIN, Texas, June 9 -- Automotive manufacturers and their suppliers now have a comprehensive development solution from Metrowerks to build embedded powertrain platforms based on the MPC5500 family of microcontrollers (MCUs) containing PowerPC(R) cores from Freescale(TM) Semiconductor, a wholly owned subsidiary of Motorola, Inc. .

Metrowerks is a single-source provider of forward-edge development solutions that optimize the MPC5500 family. The company's newest powertrain solution offers hardware, software development tools, emulators, a real-time operating system (RTOS) and test/analysis technologies -- eliminating the time, effort and costs associated with purchasing and integrating components from multiple vendors.

Metrowerks has simplified development for the MPC5500 family by integrating internal and external technologies, including:

   CodeWarrior(TM) Development Studio for the MPC5500 Family, Version 1.5
   -  PowerTAP Pro Nexus Class 1 run control emulator
   -  CodeTEST(TM) Software Analysis Tools with Nexus Class 3 data trace
   -  OSEKturbo(TM) Real Time Operating System (RTOS) with deterministic
      scheduling
   -  ASH WARE eTPU Simulation Engine
   -  UNIS Processor Expert(TM) GUI initialization

"Freescale silicon design teams worked with Metrowerks to create a development solution for the MPC5500 family," said Alex Pepe, vice president and general manager of Freescale's 32-bit Embedded Controller Division. "The result of our collaboration is a comprehensive development solution for creating leading-edge powertain platforms based on our MPC5500 processor families."

CodeWarrior Development Studio for the MPC5500 Family, Version 1.5 includes a high-performance, optimized core compiler, multi-core (core and eTPU) full-chip simulator, and a multi-core (core and eTPU) debugger with data visualization capabilities. The CodeWarrior integrated development environment (IDE) includes a plug-in for the UNIS Processor Expert Level 1 with MPC5554 GUI and initialization for the multiple cores and peripherals.

Developers can debug the target silicon via the PowerTAP Pro Nexus Class 1 run control emulator, then conduct memory, performance, coverage and Nexus Class 3 data trace analysis using Metrowerks CodeTEST Software Analysis Tools.

The Metrowerks OSEKturbo(TM) Real Time Operating System with deterministic scheduling offers a highly reliable OS for the MPC5554. OSEKturbo is developed in accordance with Capability Maturity Model(R) (CMM) level five guidelines. The deterministic scheduling tool uses Rate Monotonic Analysis (RMA) techniques to provide timing analysis of applications, allowing developers to determine schedule-ability of their application during the design phase.

Also available from Metrowerks is the ASH WARE eTPU Simulation Engine which allows the user to write and debug eTPU code in an independent, cycle-accurate simulation and debug environment.

About the MPC5500 Family

The MPC5500 family of 32-bit microcontrollers from Freescale Semiconductor combines a high performance 32-bit RISC core with an integrated set of peripherals and automotive-qualified embedded flash memory to enable a cost-effective, scalable solution for a wide range of advanced automotive applications. The family provides a clear migration path with code compatibility and software reuse between products and upward compatibility with the popular MPC5xx family, allowing customers to migrate to higher performance as needs change.

Availability

The evaluation version of CodeWarrior Development Studio for the MPC5500 Family, Version 1.5 may be downloaded immediately by visiting http://www.metrowerks.com/MW/Develop/Embedded/MPC55xx.htm . Or, to request an evaluation CD by mail, contact Metrowerks by phone at 800-377-5416 or +1-512-996-5300, or via e-mail at sales@metrowerks.com . For availability outside the U.S. and Canada, please see the list of Metrowerks international sales offices at http://www.metrowerks.com/buy or e-mail intlsls@metrowerks.com .

About Metrowerks

Metrowerks Corporation creates CodeWarrior software and hardware products and services for developers, with a particular focus on the following industries: consumer electronics; transportation; wireless; and networking and communications. The CodeWarrior product line includes hardware and software development tools and middleware that enable customers to decrease their time to market. The company also offers services, including training and custom software development. Founded in 1985, Metrowerks is today an independently operating subsidiary of Freescale Semiconductor. Metrowerks corporate headquarters are in Austin, Texas; Metrowerks Europe is headquartered in Munich; Metrowerks Asia is headquartered in Singapore; and Metrowerks Japan is headquartered in Tokyo. More information is available from http://www.metrowerks.com/ .

About Freescale Semiconductor

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. ( http://www.freescale.com/ ), a subsidiary of Motorola, Inc., has a 50-year history in microelectronics. Freescale Semiconductor produces semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial, networking and wireless markets worldwide. Based in Austin, Texas, Freescale Semiconductor has design, manufacturing or sales operations in more than 25 countries. Freescale Semiconductor's 2003 sales were $4.9 billion (USD).

Metrowerks and CodeWarrior are trademarks of Metrowerks Corp in the U.S. and other countries. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners.