Larger-Memory Devices Extend Freescale Semiconductor's MAC7100 Portfolio

AUSTIN, Texas--Nov. 3, 20040, 2004--

Emerging Automotive Applications Drive Designers' Need for 32-Bit Microcontroller Options with Increased Memory Size

The electronics that drive automotive safety and comfort systems require improved microcontroller (MCU) performance and more on chip memory. Freescale Semiconductor is responding to this need by releasing two 32-bit MAC7100 family devices that offer up to 1MB of embedded flash memory.

Volvo Car Corporation, a key partner with Freescale throughout the development of the MAC7100 family, plans to implement the MAC71x6 in several car body applications.

Freescale's MAC71x5 and MAC71x6 embedded controllers offer 768KB and 1MB of embedded flash, respectively. With these additions, the MAC7100 family now includes more than 20 devices, with a range of memory sizes from 256KB to 1MB. The latest devices extend the MAC7100 family's memory capabilities and retain pin and software compatibility with the rest of the family.

"As the car's complexity multiplies, our customers are looking to more powerful microcontroller solutions to do the 'heavy lifting' of integrating multiple electronic systems," said Alex Pepe, vice president and general manager of Freescale's 32-bit Embedded Controller Division. "Freescale's strengths in non-volatile memory and microcontroller design allow us to integrate the networking, control and diagnostic features critical to instrumentation, entertainment and multi-zone climate control systems. The MAC7100 family with 1MB of embedded flash memory provides the software headroom our customers need."

The latest MAC7100 devices include boosted on-chip program flash memory and 32KB of data flash memory with built-in "read while write" capability. This leads to customer benefits, including:

-- On-chip EEPROM emulation, which eliminates the need for external EEPROM

-- Enhanced security features

-- Reduced printed circuit board (PCB) size

-- Potential system cost reductions

The MAC71x5 and MAC71x6 offer execution speeds of up to 50MHz and improved system performance through the use of the eDMA combined with the ARM7(TM) processor, Crossbar switch and smart peripherals. These include highly configurable timers, dual ADC modules and enhanced communications interfaces capable of supporting commonly used protocols.

Price and availability

The MAC71x5 and MAC71x6 devices are part of the MAC7100 family, which is available now in sample quantities with 256KB, 384KB, 512KB or 1MB of embedded flash memory. Production quantities are planned for 2005. Suggested resale pricing for the MAC71x6 in 10,000-piece quantities is $16.64 (USD).

For more information about the MAC7100 family, please visit www.freescale.com/automotive?tid=tApr7100.

About Freescale Semiconductor

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial, networking and wireless markets. Freescale became a publicly traded company in July 2004 after more than 50 years as part of Motorola, Inc. . The company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing or sales operations in more than 30 countries. Freescale Semiconductor's 2003 sales were $4.9 billion (USD). For more information: www.freescale.com.

Freescale Reader Inquiry Response
Freescale Semiconductor
P.O. Box 17927
Denver, CO 80217 USA

Freescale(TM) and the Freescale logo are trademarks of Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. ARM is the registered trademark of ARM Limited. MAC7100 family products incorporate SuperFlash(R) technology licensed from SST.