Freescale Drives IoT Innovation with Highly Reliable and Versatile Gateway Based on the Multicore QorIQ LS1 Processor

Freescale’s ARM®-based QorIQ LS1021A communications processor provides outstanding performance, efficiency and reliability for IoT gateway applications

TOKYO--()--Freescale Semiconductor (NYSE: FSL) today introduced an exceptionally versatile and reliable Internet of Things (IoT) gateway reference design supporting a broad array of IoT applications including building/home management, smart cities, networked industrial services and other applications where performance and reliability are critical.

Designed in collaboration with Freescale manufacturing partner TechNexion, the reference design leverages the proven security, class-leading efficiency, advanced virtualization support and rich set of peripherals of the award-winning QorIQ LS1021A processor, which has reached volume sampling and is now available for ordering.

The production-ready reference design, named the LS1021A IoT gateway, is engineered to shorten design cycles and speed time to market for OEMs. Additionally, the offering’s remarkable versatility allows IoT service providers to replace multiple boxes with a single, low-cost unified appliance.

“This newest IoT gateway underscores the advantages that Freescale’s comprehensive product portfolio offers to our customers, who increasingly require system-level solutions,” said Tareq Bustami, vice president of Freescale’s Digital Networking division. “In addition, the QorIQ LS1021A processor’s sophisticated virtualization and security capabilities provide the kind of reliability that other IoT gateways just can’t deliver.”

At the heart of the Freescale gateway lies the QorIQ LS1021A ARM-based processor, which is engineered for fanless, enterprise and consumer networking applications such as IoT gateways; as well as enterprise access points and security appliances. Built on the new Layerscape system architecture, the LS1021A processor features two high-efficiency ARM Cortex®-A7 cores, enhanced with error checking and correction (ECC) technology, delivering outstanding performance at a typical power of fewer than 3 W.

“The LS1021A IoT gateway breaks new ground, providing customers a ready-made platform that can fast-track their IoT applications to market,” said Marcel van den Heuvel, CEO of TechNexion. “Freescale’s advanced silicon and TechNexion’s manufacturing expertise make for a winning combination.”

The IoT gateway design features a wide assortment of high speed and serial-based connectors, including dual USB 3.0 ports, a full size SATAIII port, and twin minPCIe connectors; all in a compact, highly secure design. Also incorporated are connectors for Arduino Shield™ modules, which allow the platform to support a variety of communication solutions offered by the Shield family of modules.

In addition to the innovative QorIQ LS1021A processor, the IoT gateway solution integrates a number of other Freescale products including the Kinetis K20 microcontroller (MCU), an audio codec, and CAN (Control Area Network) PHYs, as well as the new MC34VR500 multi-output DC-DC converter for optimized power management. The solution is also supported by a comprehensive software development kit that simplifies coding and supports a wide variety of interfaces and protocols to ensure optimal cross-vendor compatibility.

Multi-output DC-DC converter

Incorporated in the reference design and specifically engineered to work with the QorIQ LS1 family of processors is Freescale’s newly introduced MC34VR500 multi-output DC-DC converter, which leverages the LS1021A processor’s specific power efficiency features. Providing higher efficiency than competing solutions, the MC34VR500 is highly integrated for optimal processor performance and reduced development time.

Availability and pricing

The production-ready QorIQ LS1021A IoT gateway is available for order from Freescale for $429 (USD).

About Freescale Semiconductor

Freescale Semiconductor (NYSE: FSL) is a global leader in embedded processing solutions, providing industry-leading products that are advancing the automotive, consumer, industrial and networking markets. From microprocessors and microcontrollers to sensors, analog integrated circuits and connectivity – our technologies are the foundation for the innovations that make our world greener, safer, healthier and more connected. Some of our key applications and end-markets include automotive safety, hybrid and all-electric vehicles, next generation wireless infrastructure, smart energy management, portable medical devices, consumer appliances and smart mobile devices. The company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing and sales operations around the world. www.freescale.com

Freescale, the Freescale logo, Kinetis and QorIQ are trademarks of Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off. Layerscape is a trademark of Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. ARM and Cortex are trademarks or registered trademarks of ARM Ltd or its subsidiaries in the EU and/or elsewhere. All rights reserved. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. © 2014 Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

Contacts

Freescale Semiconductor
Americas:
Jack Taylor, 512-560-7143
jack.taylor@freescale.com
or
Asia Pacific:
Gloria Shiu, (85-22) 666-8237
gloria.shiu@freescale.com
or
Europe, Middle East and Africa:
Laurent Massicot, (33-16) 935-7712
Laurent.massicot@freescale.com
or
India:
Anjali Srivastava, (91-120) 395-0000
anjali.srivastava@freescale.com
or
Japan:
Katsutoshi Furue, (81-3) 5437-9242
k.furue@freescale.com

Contacts

Freescale Semiconductor
Americas:
Jack Taylor, 512-560-7143
jack.taylor@freescale.com
or
Asia Pacific:
Gloria Shiu, (85-22) 666-8237
gloria.shiu@freescale.com
or
Europe, Middle East and Africa:
Laurent Massicot, (33-16) 935-7712
Laurent.massicot@freescale.com
or
India:
Anjali Srivastava, (91-120) 395-0000
anjali.srivastava@freescale.com
or
Japan:
Katsutoshi Furue, (81-3) 5437-9242
k.furue@freescale.com